What is GRT? How can I obtain GRT, the native token of The Graph protocol?

What is GRT?

GRT (Graph Token) is the native cryptocurrency of The Graph protocol and operates as an ERC-20 token on the Ethereum network.The Graph protocol aims to address the inefficiency of blockchain data retrieval by building a decentralized indexing layer that enables developers to quickly and efficiently query and access on-chain data; as such, it is often referred to as the “Google of blockchain” or the “Web3 search engine.”

• Core Functions and Roles: GRT plays multiple key roles within The Graph ecosystem:
  • Paying for query fees: Developers or decentralized applications (DApps) must use GRT to pay for data query services.
  • Incentivizing Network Participants: GRT is used to incentivize key roles that maintain the network’s smooth operation:
    • Indexers: They stake GRT and run nodes to process and provide data query services, thereby earning query fees and protocol rewards.
    • Curators: They stake GRT to identify and label valuable subgraphs, guide indexers in indexing them, and share a portion of the query fees.
    • Delegators: They delegate their GRT to trusted indexers, allowing them to share in the rewards earned by indexers without having to run a node themselves.
• Use Cases: The Graph protocol and its GRT token are widely used in decentralized finance (DeFi), NFT platforms, gaming, and various DApps, helping these applications quickly retrieve complex on-chain data such as transaction histories, liquidity pool data, and lending information.
• Project Background: The Graph protocol was co-founded by Yaniv Tal, Brandon Ramirez, and Jannis Pohlmann. The GRT cryptocurrency was officially launched in December 2020.
• Token Economics Overview: GRT’s maximum supply is set at 10 billion. As of April 2025, its circulating supply is approximately 9.55 billion GRT, with a total supply of approximately 10.79 billion GRT.Please note that these figures are historical data; the actual circulating supply and total supply may change over time. Please refer to official data for the most up-to-date information. GRT debuted at a price of approximately $0.03 and reached an all-time high of about $2.84 in February 2021.

How can you obtain GRT tokens?

There are two main ways to obtain GRT tokens: by purchasing them on a cryptocurrency exchange or by contributing to the operation of The Graph network.

Purchasing via Cryptocurrency Exchanges

This is the most direct way to acquire GRT; you can purchase it on various centralized or decentralized exchanges.

• Centralized Exchanges (CEX):
  • Platform Options: Many major centralized cryptocurrency exchanges worldwide support GRT trading, such as Binance (Binance), Coinbase, Kraken, OKX, Bybit, Gate.io, and others.
  • Purchase Process:
    1. Create an Account: Create an account on the website or mobile app of your chosen exchange.
    2. Identity Verification (KYC): Complete the identity verification process required by the exchange, which typically involves providing a valid ID and proof of address.
    3. Deposit Funds: Deposit fiat currency (such as U.S. dollars) into your exchange account via bank transfer, credit/debit card, or other supported payment methods.
    4. Buy GRT: Search for GRT on the trading page, select a trading pair such as GRT/USDT or GRT/BTC, enter the amount you wish to purchase, and confirm the trade.
• Decentralized Exchanges (DEX):
  • Platform Selection: As an ERC-20 token, GRT can be traded on decentralized exchanges based on the Ethereum, such as Uniswap.
  • Purchase Process: You’ll typically need to connect your self-custodial Web3 wallet (such as MetaMask) and then use other cryptocurrencies already in your wallet (such as ETH or USDT) to exchange for GRT via the “Swap” feature.

  

Contributing to The Graph Network

If you have in-depth knowledge of blockchain technology and decentralized networks, you can also earn GRT rewards by participating in the operation of The Graph network:

• Become an Indexer: Run a The Graph node, stake GRT, and provide indexing and query services for subgraphs to earn query fees and protocol rewards.
• Become a Curator: By staking GRT, identify and signal valuable subgraphs, guide indexers to index them, and share a portion of the query fees.
• Become a Delegator: Delegate your GRT to high-performing indexers to share in the rewards they earn without having to run a node yourself.