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Revolutionising Web3 Infrastructure with Decentralized Data Indexing and AI Solutions: An Interview with SubQuery

As web3 continues to evolve, one of the biggest hurdles developers face is the complexity of building scalable, decentralised applications (dApps). From slow data indexing to limited cross-chain compatibility, the infrastructure needed to power the next generation of decentralised apps is far from perfect. 

This is where SubQuery steps in, addressing these pain points head-on. By offering solutions like ultra-fast data-indexing, scalable RPC services, and decentralised AI inference hosting, SubQuery is giving developers the tools they need to build faster, smarter and more decentralised dApps. In this interview. We dive into how SubQuery is transforming Web3 infrastructure and why it’s a game-changer for developers. 


1. Can you give us a high-level overview of SubQuery and how your platform supports Web3 developers?

SubQuery is a decentralised network that empowers developers by providing critical infrastructure and tooling for web3 applications. At a high level, we enable developers to build and scale decentralised apps (dApps) more easily by offering a comprehensive toolkit of solutions.

Our DePIN infrastructure network supports three key pillars: fast data indexing, scalable RPC services, and innovative AI inference hosting. This suite of tools are being used by thousands of developers to power the next generation of decentralised apps.

What sets SubQuery apart is our commitment to flexibility and decentralisation without compromise. We’re not just building products; we’re laying the foundation for the web3 ecosystem, ensuring developers have access to the infrastructure they need to create the future of the decentralised web.

2. SubQuery supports over 200 networks, which is impressive! How does your network’s flexibility and scalability enhance dApp development across these ecosystems?

Supporting over 210+ networks has been a major priority for the SubQuery team, and proves our flexibility and scalability, key to empowering dApp development across ecosystems. Each blockchain is unique, and SubQuery adapts seamlessly to different protocols, giving developers the freedom to work across multiple chains. Our multi chain indexing is a massive success, as most developers these days are building cross chain dApps – SubQuery can uniquely power these cross chain data indexers better than our competitors.

3. Your website mentions that SubQuery is 3.9x faster than The Graph. Can you explain how your infrastructure achieves this level of speed and performance?

Our speed advantage comes from the efficiency and optimization of SubQuery’s infrastructure. We’ve built a highly specialised indexing engine that processes blockchain data faster and more efficiently than other solutions, reducing latency and improving query execution. Combined with our decentralised network that supports scalable distributed hosting across multiple nodes, we significantly cut down data retrieval times. These custom optimizations make SubQuery 3.9x faster than alternatives like The Graph, giving developers real-time access to data and a competitive edge in scaling their dApps.

4. Decentralisation is a big focus for SubQuery. How do your decentralised data indexers, RPC endpoints, and AI inference solutions contribute to the broader Web3 ecosystem?

Decentralisation is at the core of everything we build at SubQuery. Our decentralised data indexers allow developers to extract and query blockchain data without relying on centralised services, ensuring that the infrastructure remains resilient and tamper-proof. Similarly, our scalable RPC endpoints provide decentralised, reliable access to blockchain networks, reducing bottlenecks and enhancing performance for dApps.

Moreover, by integrating AI inference solutions into our network, we’re enabling decentralised hosting and execution of AI models, which opens up new possibilities for developers to incorporate AI into web3 applications – the next generation of intelligent dApps.

5. Can you share more about the role of Node Operators and how they’re incentivised within the SubQuery Network?

Node Operators play a crucial role in maintaining the SubQuery Network by running decentralised data indexers, RPC endpoints, and AI inference models. They are responsible for ensuring the network’s reliability, speed, and scalability by processing requests across multiple project types and blockchain ecosystems – they are experts at running and managing production infrastructure!

To incentivize Node Operators, SubQuery offers a token-based rewards system, where they earn tokens based on the quality and performance of the services they provide. This structure encourages high-quality service, as better performance leads to higher rewards, ensuring the network remains fast, secure, and reliable for developers.

6. The decentralised AI inference feature is unique. How do you envision AI impacting the future of Web3 and blockchain development?

AI is already transforming numerous industries, from healthcare to finance, by enhancing automation, decision-making, and predictive capabilities. However, most AI technologies today are centralised (generally to OpenAI and Google), which poses a significant risk to the core principles of web3—decentralisation and trustlessness. Centralised AI models can be prone to bias, censorship, and single points of failure, which contradicts the ethos of blockchain development.

At SubQuery, we see decentralised AI as a critical step in evolving web3. By allowing AI inference models to be hosted and executed in a decentralised manner, we remove reliance on centralised authorities and ensure that these powerful tools align with the decentralised nature of blockchain. This empowers developers to integrate AI into dApps securely and trustlessly, opening new opportunities for innovation and more intelligent dApps in the future of web3.

7. What are some use cases or projects that have successfully leveraged SubQuery’s infrastructure to enhance their dApps?

At SubQuery, we are lucky to have thousands of customers using us over hundreds of blockchain ecosystems. This includes developers and builders in major wallets, defi applications, exchanges, NFT marketplaces, explorers, analytics providers, and many other industry verticals.

One of the hardest things about working on successful open source tools like SubQuery is the sheer number of customers we have. It makes it hard to remember each and every one of them across the 210+ networks we support. But be assured that many applications you use on a daily basis are reliant on our infrastructure.

8. How does SubQuery’s Delegator system work, and what opportunities are there for blockchain beginners to participate in the network?

SubQuery’s Delegator system allows anyone, even blockchain beginners, to participate in the network by staking tokens with trusted Node Operators, without needing to run infrastructure themselves. Delegators help secure the network by selecting and supporting high-performing Node Operators, earning a share of the rewards generated by the operators’ performance. This system creates an accessible entry point for newcomers to get involved in decentralised infrastructure, allowing them to contribute to the growth of the network while earning rewards, even if they don’t have technical expertise.

9. With the SubQuery Network now live, how has it been received by the developer community, and what are some of the key successes so far?

Since launching the SubQuery Network, the response from the developer community has been overwhelmingly positive. Developers appreciate the flexibility, speed, and scalability our platform offers, enabling them to build and deploy decentralised applications with greater efficiency. Key successes include numerous integrations with various blockchain ecosystems and a growing number of dApps leveraging our data indexing and RPC solutions. Additionally, the adoption of our decentralised AI inference feature has opened new possibilities for innovative applications, demonstrating our commitment to supporting developers as they navigate the evolving web3 landscape. The community’s enthusiasm and feedback continue to drive our mission to empower builders and enhance the web3 ecosystem.

10. Looking ahead, what new innovations or features can we expect from SubQuery to continue advancing Web3 infrastructure?

Looking ahead, SubQuery is prioritising innovations in two key areas: data nodes and improved AI tooling. Our focus on sharded data nodes will enhance the SubQuery network by making our RPCs cheaper and easier to run compared to alternatives, while also addressing significant challenges in web3, such as EIP-4444 and the state bloat affecting major networks. In parallel, we are dedicated to finalising our capabilities for AI inference workloads on our network and developing an open-source framework to empower developers to build intelligent applications using our AI app framework. These advancements will significantly enhance the efficiency and functionality of the SubQuery Network, driving the future of web3 infrastructure.

You can read more about our roadmap here https://blog.subquery.network/subquery-releases-updated-network-roadmap-for-2024/?lng=en


SubQuery is not just addressing the usual challenges of Web3 infrastructure; it’s redefining how developers can approach decentralised app development with real, tangible solutions. 

By offering fast data indexing, decentralised RPC services, and AI integration, SubQuery is creating an ecosystem that allows developers to focus on building without being bogged down by technical limitations. 

Their commitment to decentralisation ensures a future where Web3 is truly open and accessible. 

As more projects leverage SubQuery’s infrastructure, the platform’s impact on Web3 innovation will only continue to grow.