Chainlink
2023
October 17: Constellation Hackathon introduced
- The biggest Chainlink hackathon yet, running from November 8 to December 10, 2023.
- Constellation has been purpose-built to provide all Web3 engineers of any experience level with a simple, clear-cut path to success through the Chainlink platform, which provides a universal gateway to connect to any blockchain.
October 2: Chainlink Data Streams launch on Mainnet
- An all-in-one data solution for the DeFi industry, combining low-latency data delivery and automated trade execution to unlock a new generation of ultra-fast and user-friendly derivatives products.
August 25: Chainlink Staking Platform v0.2 introduced
- The next version of Chainlink Staking (v0.2) is on track to launch later this year in Q4, with an initial expanded pool size of 45M LINK. The launch of the v0.2 beta upgrade will progressively expand access to a broader scope of participants, starting with a Priority Migration period for existing v0.1 stakers before entering Early Access and then General Access.
July 17: CCIP launches on Mainnet
- Mainnet Early Access phase on the Avalanche, Ethereum, Optimism, and Polygon blockchains.
June 12: Chainlink Realized Volatility Data Feeds launched.
- Enables DeFi developers to consume realized volatility data in their on-chain applications.
- Currently on testnet stage.
June 1: ETH Staking APR Feeds launched.
- Chainlink ETH Staking APR Feeds provide a trust-minimized and tamper-proof source of truth for the global rate of return from staking as a validator to secure the Ethereum network.
March 30: Chainlink Spring 2023 Hackathon announced.
- Taking place April 28 – June 9, 2023
- Win from a prize pool of $350K (and growing).
- Receive complimentary access to development platforms like QuickNode.
- Attend world-class workshops from expert developers.
- Connect with like-minded developers and community members.
- Get the opportunity to receive written feedback on your hackathon project.
March 21: NFT Floor Price Feeds launched on Ethereum mainnet.
- In collaboration with Coinbase Cloud, introducing tamper-proof floor pricing data for NFT collections. This empowers developers to bring DeFi composability to NFTs by creating new products and services, such as lending and borrowing services based on NFT collateral.
March 8: Chainlink introduces Chainlink functions – a web3 serverless platform for connecting any data, device, or system to smart contracts.
2022
December 6: Chainlink Staking v0.1 Early Access launches.
October 3: Early Access Eligibility for Chainlink Staking v0.1 beta releases.
- Those who are eligible for early access will get priority entrance into the v0.1 staking pool
- Opportunity to directly stake up to 7,000 LINK in a first-come, first-serve manner until the pool cap is reached.
- The general public will be able to stake shortly after the Early Access phase ends, with a similar 7,000 LINK limit per address set for at least the start.
- Chainlink node operators currently servicing Chainlink Data Feeds will have the opportunity to individually stake up to 50,000 LINK, with a 1,000 LINK minimum if choosing to stake during v0.1.
June 16: Sergey Nazarov announces Chainlink Economics 2.0
- Introduces the Staking module.
- Ecosystem participants can stake LINK to help increase the security guarantees and user assurances of oracle services.
- BUILD Program
- A Chainlink Labs initiative that aims to accelerate the growth of early-stage and established projects within the Chainlink ecosystem.
- Provide enhanced access to Chainlink services and technical support in exchange for commitments of fees and other incentives to Chainlink service providers such as stakers.
- SCALE (Sustainable Chainlink Access for Layer 1 & 2 Enablement) Program
- Centers around accelerating the growth of blockchain and layer-2 ecosystems while increasing the economic sustainability of the Chainlink Network.
- Technical Innovations
- A series of initiatives that enhance the functionality and economic viability of oracle services such as:
- Off-Chain Reporting (OCR) 2.0.
- Blockchain fast lanes.
- Data feed optimizations.
March 23: Startup with Chainlink is introduced.
- The program aims to support and empower teams in building next-gen applications that will shape the future of blockchains and smart contracts.
- There is no cost to participate—Startup with Chainlink was not built for profit, but to create a multi-chain ecosystem network that can help support the best up-and-coming projects in Web3.
February 16: Chainlink VRF v2 is announced.
- Offers smart contract developers an even better randomness solution.
- Represents an initial push toward creating a more self-service model for building, accessing, and managing Chainlink decentralized services.
2021
August 5: Chainlink introduces the Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP)
- Provides a universal, open standard for developers to build secure services and applications that can send messages, transfer tokens, and initiate actions across multiple networks.
August 5: Chainlink Automation launches on Mainnet.
July 30: Chainlink introduces the Chainlink Feed Registry.
- On-chain mapping of assets to feeds.
- It enables you to query Chainlink data feeds from asset addresses directly, without needing to know the feed contract addresses.
June 7: Chainlink Automation Open Beta begins.
- Expedites hybrid smart contract innovation by giving developers access to secure and reliable off-chain computation services.
- Developers don’t need to perform manual processes, rely on centralized services, or implement deep protocol changes in order to automate on-chain functions when predefined conditions occur—they can simply outsource jobs to Chainlink Automation nodes.
April 15: Chainlink publishes Whitepaper 2.0.
- Generalize its oracle network into a “meta-layer” of Decentralized Oracle Networks.
- The new oracle networks would continue to focus on functions that blockchains or even layer-two networks are unable to perform.
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- Scaling.
- Abstracting away complexity.
- Confidentiality.
- Order fairness.
- Trust-minimization.
- Crypto Economic security.
February 24: Off-Chain Reporting (OCR) upgrade launches.
- OCR significantly improves the efficiency of how data is computed across Chainlink oracles, reducing operating costs by up to 90% and enabling the Chainlink Network to accelerate the development of universally connected smart contracts both in DeFi markets and across various other industries.
2020
December 28: Chainlink introduces the Chainlink On-Chain Data Directory: Data.eth.
- Using ENS, which creates an easily-identifiable on-chain index of Chainlink Price Feed addresses, providing users with additional assurances that they are relying on and/or sending funds to the right on-chain address.
December 3: Chainlink announces the Chainlink Builders Program.
- To recognize and thank developers in the Chainlink community for building, documenting, and helping others.
- Three tiers of badges that community members can earn and collect.
October 22: Chainlink VRF launches on Mainnet.
May 12: Chainlink Verifiable Random Function (VRF) is announced.
- Chainlink VRF works by combining block data that is still unknown when the request is made with the oracle node’s pre-committed private key to generate both a random number and a cryptographic proof.
- The fundamental benefit of using Chainlink VRF is its verifiable randomness.
- Even if a node is compromised, it cannot manipulate and/or supply biased answers — the on-chain cryptographic proof would fail.
January 30: Chainlink Price Reference Data for DeFi is announced.
- Vastly expand the amount of secure and reliable data accessible to Ethereum Dapps.
- Enables easy access to all the price reference data supplied by Chainlink oracle networks from one user interface.
2019
May 30: Chainlink officially launches on mainnet.
- Supported a single ETH/USD Price Feed secured by 3 oracles nodes.
May 14: Chainlink announces pending launch on Chainlink Mainnet via Twitter.
2017
September 19: LINK’s token offering launches.
- Hard cap of $32 million.
- Pre-sale offering at $0.09 per token, with a 20% bonus depending on when the investor participated.
- Public sale offering at $0.11 per token.
- Both sales amounted to 350 million LINK tokens..
- Named investors include
September 4: Chainlink’s first Whitepaper is published.
May 17: Chainlink’s first blog post is published.
- References to viewing of Chainlink transactions on the Ropsten Testnet.
