Chainlink protocol
Overview
Chainlink is a decentralized oracle network that enables smart contracts to securely interact with external data feeds, events, and payment methods. It provides reliable, tamper-proof inputs and outputs for complex smart contracts on any blockchain. The protocol is maintained by Chainlink Labs and uses a network of independent node operators to fetch and deliver off-chain data.
Within the DeFi Intel graph, Chainlink connects to 61 tracked entities, most strongly to Ethereum, JPMorgan, Chainlink Labs.
Relations
Top connections in the DeFi Intel knowledge graph (confidence-weighted, 7 of 61 total).
| Relation | Connected entity | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
deployed_on | Ethereum | 95% |
partnered_with | JPMorgan | 95% |
developed_by | Chainlink Labs | 95% |
partnered_with | UBS | 95% |
launched | Chainlink CCIP | 95% |
partnered_with | SWIFT | 95% |
partnered_with | ImmuneFi | 95% |
More on Chainlink
- Chainlink Review 2026 — The Decentralized Oracle Standard
- Is Chainlink Safe in 2026? Audits, Hacks, Risk Score
- Chainlink Alternatives: 8 Protocols Compared
In-depth guides on Chainlink
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Chainlink?
Sergey Nazarov and Steve Ellis founded it in 2017; Cornell professor Ari Juels co-authored the whitepaper. The network launched in 2019.
What is LINK used for?
Paying node operators for delivering data and posting as security deposits; it is an ERC-677 token with a maximum supply of 1 billion.
What is CCIP?
The Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol, introduced by Chainlink in 2023 to enable communication and token movement between blockchains.
Related reading
Sources
Facts on this page were verified against the following sources.