What is Delegating?
The Graph
First-time DELEGATOR? Complete this guide to claim your Delegation Diversity I badge.
Introduction
Delegating is the most financially and technically accessible role within The Graph's decentralized network. This guide is designed to give a clear and easy-to-follow overview of the process.
Completion of this guide will earn you the Delegation Diversity I badge.
For a deeper dive, visit The Graph Academy, or check out The Graph's Docs.
You can also find a helpful 5 minute video guide from The Graph, here.
1. the role
Delegators earn subgraph query fees and indexing rewards by staking GRT with Indexers through the Subgraph Explorer. It is the Delegator's responsibility to research and vet Indexers before staking with them.
2. who might be a good fit
If you are interested in earning rewards by deploying your GRT on The Graph's decentralized network, then delegating is a great place to start. As long as you are comfortable using a cryptocurrency wallet and understand how gas fees work, it shouldn't take you long to begin earning a profit.
It is important to note that, as a Delegator, you should be comfortable holding GRT within a medium-long time frame (at least multiple months). Once GRT has been staked with an Indexer, undelegating will prompt a 28 day unbonding period during which the Delegator's staked GRT will remain frozen.
3. Requirements
1. Delegating requires access to either a hardware or software wallet.
If you do not own a non-custodial wallet (meaning one that is exclusive from a centralized exchange), Ledger is a well-known and trusted hardware solution for securely handling decentralized transactions. If you prefer to use a software wallet, we recommend Metamask.
2. You must have some ETH to pay for gas fees (we recommended at least enough for two transactions; one deposit, and one withdraw). You can check current gas prices here.
3. You must have some GRT to use for staking. There is no minimum requirement, but we recommend starting with at least 1,000 GRT to see significant returns in a timely manner.
5. Connect Wallet
Connect your wallet using MetaMask or WalletConnect and make sure you have some GRT available.
Click here to download Metamask and setup a wallet
6. Begin Your Search
Begin your search for a skilled and trustworthy indexer (The Graph recommends using their Discord to help you get started).
7. Browse the Network
Browsing The Graph's "Participants" section is a great way to quickly look over the current pool of indexers; all of the most vital information is displayed and you can easily compare and contrast metrics (covered below).
8. Delegation Capacity
Check to see if the Indexer has reached delegation capacity (you can use the network explorer, or visit the Indexer's profile directly).
Indexer Profile
9. Indexer Profile
Take note of important metrics such as the total stake, allocated GRT, and how long the Indexer has been active for.
Indexer Profile
10. Earnings & Cut
Assess Indexer earnings and their established Delegator cut (the percentages given establish how much the Indexer keeps for themselves).
Indexer Profile
11. Graphtronauts Reviews
Graphtronauts provides the leading Indexer review platform where you can get insight from other Delegators and their experience staking with the various Indexers on the network.
12. GraphScan
Some Delegators prefer to use GraphScan since it offers charts and metrics that are not currently available on The Graph's website.
13. Delegation Window
Click the Delegate button to delegate GRT to your chosen Indexer (keep in mind that once you've delegated, undelegating will prompt a 28 day unbonding period).
Delegate Button
14. Finalize
Choose how much GRT to delegate and whether or not to infinite approve (saves on gas fees for future delegation).
Delegation Window
15. Unlock Badge & Mint NFT
Visit your profile page on Emblem to mint your Delegation Diversity I NFT.
12235 Awarded
COMMON
Awarded to first time delegators
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