# Chainlink

> distributed oracle network

**Wikidata**: [Q100804984](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q100804984)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chainlink_(blockchain_oracle))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/chainlink

## Summary
Chainlink is a distributed oracle network that connects smart contracts to real-world data, enabling blockchain applications to access external information securely and reliably. Launched in 2017, it provides decentralized data feeds, verifiable randomness, and off-chain computations for blockchain ecosystems.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Distributed oracle network and cryptocurrency
- **Inception**: 2017
- **Aliases**: LINK
- **Programming Languages**: Solidity, Go
- **License**: MIT License
- **Cryptocurrency Code**: LINK
- **Stock Exchange**: Listed on Coinbase (since 2019-06-28)
- **Social Media Followers**: 705,126 (as of 2022-01-08)
- **Source Code Repository**: [GitHub](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink)
- **Website**: [chain.link](https://chain.link/)
- **Instance Of**: Cryptocurrency, software

## FAQs
### Q: What is Chainlink used for?
A: Chainlink is used to connect smart contracts to real-world data, APIs, and payment systems, enabling decentralized applications to access external information securely and reliably.

### Q: What blockchain is Chainlink associated with?
A: Chainlink is primarily associated with Ethereum and other blockchain networks, providing decentralized oracle services to enhance smart contract functionality.

### Q: How does Chainlink ensure data accuracy?
A: Chainlink uses a decentralized network of node operators to verify and aggregate data, ensuring accuracy and reliability for smart contracts.

### Q: What is the LINK cryptocurrency?
A: LINK is the native cryptocurrency of the Chainlink network, used to incentivize node operators and pay for data services.

### Q: How can developers integrate Chainlink into their projects?
A: Developers can integrate Chainlink by using its open-source tools and APIs, which allow smart contracts to interact with external data feeds and services.

## Why It Matters
Chainlink addresses a critical limitation in blockchain technology by providing a secure and decentralized way to access real-world data. Without oracles like Chainlink, smart contracts are limited to on-chain data, restricting their functionality. By enabling smart contracts to interact with external APIs, payment systems, and data feeds, Chainlink unlocks the potential for decentralized applications (dApps) to serve a broader range of use cases. Its distributed network ensures reliability and security, making it a foundational component for the future of blockchain interoperability and real-world integration.

## Notable For
- **First Decentralized Oracle Network**: Chainlink was one of the first projects to introduce a decentralized oracle network, revolutionizing how smart contracts access external data.
- **MIT License**: Chainlink’s open-source code is licensed under the MIT License, promoting widespread adoption and innovation.
- **Multi-Blockchain Support**: Chainlink supports multiple blockchain networks, including Ethereum, Cosmos, and others, enhancing its versatility.
- **LINK Tokenomics**: The LINK cryptocurrency plays a crucial role in incentivizing node operators and funding data services, ensuring the network’s sustainability.
- **Enterprise Adoption**: Chainlink has gained significant traction in the enterprise sector, with partnerships and integrations that support large-scale blockchain applications.

## Body
### Overview
Chainlink is a decentralized oracle network that bridges the gap between blockchain-based smart contracts and real-world data. It was launched in 2017 and has since become a critical infrastructure component for blockchain applications, enabling secure and reliable access to external information.

### Technology
Chainlink’s technology stack includes:
- **Smart Contracts**: Written in Solidity, the primary language for Ethereum smart contracts.
- **Go**: Used for developing the Chainlink node software.
- **Decentralized Network**: A network of node operators that verify and aggregate data, ensuring accuracy and reliability.

### Development
- **Open-Source**: Chainlink’s code is available on [GitHub](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink) under the MIT License.
- **Releases**: The project has released multiple versions, including v0.6.6 (2019-09-11), v0.7.0 (2019-11-14), and v0.8.0 (2020-04-03), among others.

### Cryptocurrency
- **LINK Token**: The native cryptocurrency of the Chainlink network, used for transactions and incentives.
- **Listing**: LINK is listed on Coinbase since 2019-06-28.

### Adoption
- **Enterprise Use**: Chainlink is widely adopted by enterprises for building decentralized applications that require real-world data integration.
- **Partnerships**: The project has formed partnerships with major blockchain and enterprise organizations to expand its reach.

### Social Media
- **Twitter**: Chainlink has a verified Twitter account (@chainlink) with over 705,126 followers as of 2022-01-08.
- **Telegram**: The official Telegram channel is @chainlinkofficia.

### Wikipedia
- **Wikipedia Entry**: Chainlink is documented on Wikipedia in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, and Japanese.

## References

1. [Release 0.6.6. 2019](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.6.6)
2. [Release 0.6.7. 2019](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.6.7)
3. [Release 0.6.8. 2019](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.6.8)
4. [Release 0.6.9. 2019](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.6.9)
5. [Release 0.6.10. 2019](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.6.10)
6. [Release 0.7.0. 2019](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.7.0)
7. [Release 0.7.7. 2020](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.7.7)
8. [Release 0.7.8. 2020](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.7.8)
9. [Release 0.8.0. 2020](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/0.8.0)
10. [Release 0.8.1. 2020](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.8.1)
11. [Release 0.8.2. 2020](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.8.2)
12. [Release 0.8.3. 2020](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.8.3)
13. [Release 0.8.4. 2020](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.8.4)
14. [Release 0.8.5. 2020](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.8.5)
15. [Release 0.8.6. 2020](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.8.6)
16. [Release 0.8.7. 2020](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.8.7)
17. [Release 0.8.8. 2020](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.8.8)
18. [Release 0.8.9. 2020](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.8.9)
19. [Release 0.8.10. 2020](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.8.10)
20. [Release 0.8.11. 2020](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.8.11)
21. [Release 0.8.12. 2020](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.8.12)
22. [Release 0.8.13. 2020](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.8.13)
23. [Release 0.8.14. 2020](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.8.14)
24. [Release 0.8.15. 2020](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.8.15)
25. [Release 0.8.16. 2020](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.8.16)
26. [Release 0.8.17. 2020](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.8.17)
27. [Release 0.8.18. 2020](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.8.18)
28. [Release 0.9.2. 2020](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.9.2)
29. [Release 0.9.3. 2020](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.9.3)
30. [Release 0.9.4. 2020](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.9.4)
31. [Release 0.9.6. 2020](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.9.6)
32. [Release 0.9.7. 2020](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.9.7)
33. [Release 0.9.8. 2020](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.9.8)
34. [Release 0.9.9. 2021](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.9.9)
35. [Release 0.9.10. 2021](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.9.10)
36. [Release 0.10.0. 2021](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.10.0)
37. [Release 0.10.1. 2021](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.10.1)
38. [Release 0.10.2. 2021](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.10.2)
39. [Release 0.10.3. 2021](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.10.3)
40. [Release 0.10.4. 2021](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.10.4)
41. [Release 0.10.5. 2021](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.10.5)
42. [Release 0.10.6. 2021](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.10.6)
43. [Release 0.10.7. 2021](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.10.7)
44. [Release 0.10.8. 2021](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.10.8)
45. [Release 0.10.9. 2021](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.10.9)
46. [Release 0.10.10. 2021](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.10.10)
47. [Release 0.10.11. 2021](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.10.11)
48. [Release 0.10.12. 2021](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.10.12)
49. [Release 0.10.13. 2021](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.10.13)
50. [Release 0.10.14. 2021](https://github.com/smartcontractkit/chainlink/releases/tag/v0.10.14)