When was LINK issued? Learn about the origin of LINK in one article

The Genesis of LINK: Origins and Evolution

1. Conception: 2017

LINK, originally known as Chainlink, was conceived in 2017 by Sergey Nazarov and Steve Elis. They recognized the potential for blockchain technology to revolutionize secure data sharing and smart contracts.

2. Launch of Whitepaper: September 2017

The LINK Whitepaper was released in September 2017, outlining the vision for a decentralized network that would provide reliable and tamper-proof data to smart contracts.

3. Initial Coin Offering (ICO): September 2017

The LINK ICO raised $32 million. This funding allowed the team to develop the LINK platform and establish partnerships with key players in the blockchain ecosystem.

4. Mainnet Launch: Spring 2019

The LINK Mainnet was officially launched in the spring of 2019. This marked the beginning of the live network, enabling developers to build and deploy smart contracts that leverage external data.

5. Rebranding to LINK: February 2020

In February 2020, the project rebranded from Chainlink to LINK. This reflected the evolution of the platform from a single oracle provider to a decentralized oracle network.

6. Consortium Launch: July 2021

LINK partnered with Chainlink Labs to launch the Chainlink Consortium. This exclusive group of enterprise members promotes the adoption of oracle solutions by large organizations.

7. Current Standing: 2023

Today, LINK remains one of the leading decentralized oracle networks. It powers over 1,000 projects, including some of the largest and most well-known blockchain applications. The LINK token has also gained significant value, making it one of the top-performing cryptocurrencies over the years.