Subgraph hosted service launches as The Graph prepares for decentralization

Blockchain information supplier Chainstack has launched a hosted work for collections of Web3 information known arsenic “subgraphs,” according to an April 19 announcement from the company. The service, called “Chainstack Subgraphs,” allows developers to make subgraphs and station them for a fee.

— Chainstack ️ (@ChainstackHQ) April 19, 2023

This announcement comes aft subgraph protocol developer The Graph stated successful June that it would beryllium shutting down its hosted work successful favour of a decentralized network.

Subgraphs are exertion programming interfaces (APIs) that query blockchains for information and benignant it successful peculiar ways. They are open-source, truthful erstwhile idiosyncratic successful the assemblage creates a subgraph, it tin beryllium utilized by anyone.

Subgraphs became wide utilized by developers aft the launch of The Graph Network successful 2020.

The archetypal incarnation of The Graph (GRT) featured immoderate centralized elements, including a escaped hosted work provided by the developer. However, The Graph squad announced that it would yet necessitate creators to migrate their subgraphs to the decentralized web alternatively and volition unopen down the hosted service.

Chainstack Subgraphs intends to supply a convenient mode for subgraph developers to migrate their APIs disconnected the aged The Graph hosted service, the announcement said.

In a speech with Cointelegraph, Chainstack CTO Eugene Aseev said the caller work volition supply 3 main benefits to users compared to the decentralized network. First, it volition supply transparent pricing successful fiat currency alternatively of the GRT token. Second, it volition integrate galore blockchain networks alternatively of conscionable a few. And third, it volition marque it casual for mid-tier oregon small-tier subgraphs to get indexed and discovered, whereas this would beryllium much hard if they posted straight to The Graph, helium said.

Related: The Graph says adoption is inactive strong, 2 years aft launch

However, Aseev besides stated that Chainstack does not spot itself arsenic a rival to The Graph and GRT token, explaining:

We are immense proponents of decentralization [and] We emotion The Graph. Once we motorboat the service, and we marque definite it works well, and we onboard customers, we volition besides beryllium participants of The Graph web due to the fact that we besides privation to beryllium portion of this movement. 

The Graph squad has warned users not to panic aft announcing that the hosted work volition beryllium sunsetted. The authoritative docs for the network stated that “Hosted Service volition not beryllium unopen down soon.” Instead, it volition lone beryllium unopen down “Once we scope diagnostic parity with the decentralized network.”

Even so, immoderate developers person expressed interest that not each subgraphs are disposable connected the decentralized network, portion others person argued that the decentralized work whitethorn beryllium excessively expensive.

Cointelegraph attempted to interaction The Graph squad for comment, but did not person a effect by the clip of publication.