The Graph Delegation Guide
Learn how to become a Delegator on The Graph by delegating your GRT tokens via the Network Beta dApp.
The Graph mainnet launched on Dec. 17. GRT holders can now delegate their tokens to an indexer in order to contribute to the security of the network. They earn a portion of query fees and indexing rewards for doing that.
In this step-by-step guide, you will learn how to delegate your GRT token on The Graph using the Network Beta dApp and Metamask in a few simple steps.
Step1: Setup your GRT delegation operations
Step 2: Delegate your GRT via the Network Beta dApp
Step 3: Manage your GRT staking operations
Before you get started, please make sure to have the latest version of the Metamask Browser Extension installed and to have enough ETH in your wallet to cover transaction fees. Furthermore, ensure that Metamask is connected to “Ethereum Mainnet”.
Using the Network Beta dApp with Metamask allows you to use a hardware wallet such as a Ledger Nano device for your delegation operations and is highly encouraged as it adds another layer of security. In case you want to use a hardware device for your delegation operations, connect Metamask to your device via the Metamask Browser Extension. You can name your account any way you want. Make sure to have the ETH app open on your Ledger device and to have ‘Contract Data’ allowed within the ETH app on your device.
Step 1: Setup your GRT delegation operations
To have Metamask display your GRT token, you need to add it first. Open Metamask, click “Add Token”.
Update (02|2021): You can now look for ‘GRT’ in the Metamask search bar and directly add it without going through the custom token tab.
Then switch to the “Custom Token” tab. Input the following information, click “Next” and then “Add Tokens”.
- Token Contract Address: 0xc944e90c64b2c07662a292be6244bdf05cda44a7
- Token Symbol: GRT
- Decimals of Precision: 18
In case you already own GRT with this address, you will now see your tokens displayed within Metamask. Otherwise, you need to fund this address properly before you can continue. Simply copy your address and withdraw/send funds to it. Once you successfully funded your account, you can find your token balance under “Assets” on Metamask.
Again, make sure to have enough ETH in your wallet to cover transaction fees.
Step 2: Delegate your GRT via the Network Beta dApp
Now it’s time to delegate! Head over to https://network.thegraph.com/. This is the Network Beta dApp and the Graphs’ main Staking UI.
Click “Connect Wallet” and “Metamask” in the pop-up. Now choose the address you want to be using in the Metamask Notification window, click “Next” and then “Connect”.
You will now find your account displayed in the upper right corner of the Network Beta dApp. You can click it to see your GRT balance as well as to disconnect or switch accounts.
If you scroll down in the Network Beta dApp, you can find a list of all the available Indexers as well as some parameters relevant for your staking operations.
You can find us as:
stakingfacilities.eth
Our full Indexer address:
0x7ab4cf25330ed7277ac7ab59380b68eea68abb0e
The “Fee Cut %” shows the percentage of query fee rebates that an Indexer keeps for him/herself, whereas the “Reward Cut %” indicates the percentage of indexer rewards that an indexer keeps for him/herself.
To start the delegation process, click on the delegation icon on the very right of the indexer that you would like to delegate to. Then click “Delegate”.
In the overlay menu that appears, you can choose the amount of GRT you want to delegate to the respective validator. Please note that delegating incurs a fee of 0.5% on the amount you are delegating.
Click “Submit Transaction” to continue. Then click “Confirm” in the Metamask Notification window to allow the dApp to spend your GRT. Afterward, click “Confirm” to transmit your delegation transaction.
Parameters Cooldown refers to the amount of time that needs to pass before an Indexer can change its’ query fee or its’ indexing reward cut.
In case you are using a Ledger, you need to approve and sign the transactions on your device as well.
Please note that this might take a while — hang in there and do not reload the page.
And that’s it, you are now a delegator on The Graph network and help to secure the query and indexing layer of web3! Welcome aboard and thank you for delegating to our Indexer.
Please note that the network is bootstrapped and subgraphs will transition from the hosted service to mainnet in the course of the next few weeks. Hence, the amount of query fees one can earn is limited at the moment.
Step 3: Manage your GRT delegation operations
You can manage your delegation operations via the Network Beta dApp.
Click on your address in the upper right corner of the Network Beta dApp to find an overview of the Indexers you are delegating to. Within this menu, you can choose to undelegate or delegate more GRT to the respective delegator. Alternatively, you can also do this within the Indexer overview that you find on the main page of the Network Beta dApp.
Please note that when you unbond your GRT, they remain locked and illiquid for a period of 28 days. There is no delegator slashing implemented in The Graph and you can choose to delegate any amount of GRT.
Useful Resources
You might find these resources useful in case you want to learn more about The Graph
Mainnet Launch Announcement
Explainer in depth (1 & 2)
Economics
Token Sale & Distribution
The Graph official Telegram channel
Tools
The Graph Explorer
The Graph Staking UI (Network Beta dApp)
