Querying a blockchain directly is slow, expensive, and technically complex. The Graph solves this by indexing blockchain data into queryable subgraphs — essentially pre-built databases that applications can query via GraphQL in milliseconds. Uniswap, Aave, Compound, OpenSea, and thousands of other protocols depend on The Graph for their frontends to work.

The Graph qualifies as dePIN in the broad sense: indexers run real server infrastructure, stake GRT as collateral, and earn query fees from protocol usage. Indexers who perform well earn more fees; those who serve incorrect data are slashed. The incentive mechanism creates genuine competition to provide accurate, fast indexing services.

Pocket Network takes a complementary approach at the RPC layer — providing decentralised access to blockchain nodes rather than indexed data. Where The Graph answers ‘what happened on-chain?’, Pocket answers ‘let me send this transaction and read this state’. Together, they represent the infrastructure layer that Web3 applications need to function without relying on centralised providers like Infura or Alchemy.