How to Buy The Graph (GRT): Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
The Graph is often called "the search engine for blockchains": it helps apps get the data they need quickly. We explain what the GRT token is for and how to buy it.
What Is The Graph?
Blockchain data is stored in a way that makes pulling out something like "all of this wallet's trades for the month" slow and awkward. The Graph solves this: special participants called indexers organize the data in advance, and apps get an answer with a single query. Descriptions of which data to collect are called subgraphs.
The network has several roles. Indexers run servers and stake GRT as collateral. Curators flag useful subgraphs. Delegators entrust their GRT to indexers and receive a share of the rewards. Apps pay for queries in GRT.
The Graph Risks
- Competition from centralized data services that are easier to integrate.
- Complex token economics. Demand for GRT depends on how many apps actually pay for queries.
- Delegation isn't a deposit. It comes with a fee and a period during which you can't get your coins back.
- Volatility that's typical for altcoins.
How to Buy The Graph (GRT): A Beginner's Guide
- Sign up. Pick a major exchange that offers the GRT/USDT pair. No account yet? See how to open a crypto exchange account.
- KYC and 2FA. ID documents and a selfie, then an authenticator app and an anti-phishing code. Only after that, make a deposit.
- Deposit. You need USDT. You can buy it via P2P or with a card; step by step: how to fund your account via P2P; about the stablecoin itself: what is USDT.
- Buy. Spot market, the GRT/USDT pair, a limit order. Work out the amount in advance; this helps: how to calculate position size.
- Stop-loss. For trading, use one on every trade, no exceptions. If you'd rather not work out the levels yourself, there's Aspiro Trade: signals on 45 assets with a ready-made entry, take-profit and stop-loss (the asset list is in the app).
- Next steps. GRT is an ERC-20 token, and part of the protocol's activity has moved to the Arbitrum network. When withdrawing, choose a network supported by both the exchange and your wallet, and keep a little ETH on that network for fees.
Storing GRT: Which Option to Choose
| Goal | Where to keep it | Why |
|---|---|---|
| I trade using signals and levels | On the exchange | Stop-loss orders and selling work without delay |
| I'm holding long term | Ethereum-compatible wallet | Your coins don't depend on what happens to the exchange |
| I'm holding a large amount | Hardware wallet | The keys never leave the device |
Our affiliate link. If you decide to open an OKX account, please sign up through it: it's free for you and doesn't change your terms. If you trade, the exchange pays Aspiro an affiliate bonus, which goes toward developing our apps and the free Aspiro Academy. We have no access to your account, funds or trades.
- You don't need a whole GRT coin: you can start with a small amount.
- Only invest what you're prepared to lose.
- Trading? A stop-loss is mandatory; holding long term? Use your own wallet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I earn rewards on GRT?
Yes, by delegating to an indexer. But the income isn't fixed, there's an entry fee and a withdrawal period, and the price of GRT itself can fall.
Who uses The Graph?
Decentralized apps that need to display blockchain data quickly: balances, trade history, pool prices.
Which network should I withdraw GRT on?
It depends on the exchange and the wallet. Ethereum and Arbitrum are both common. The key is that the network matches on both sides.
Start with free education
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