Chainlink adds another use case! Launches verification service for random numbers called "Chainlink VRF"

The blockchain project Chainlink, which focuses on the widespread adoption of oracles, announced today that it will launch Chainlink VRF, a verifiable random function service. This service will allow users in smart contracts, such as blockchain games, second-layer protocols, and various other use cases, to access and verify the randomness and tamper-proof mechanisms provided by Chainlink VRF.

Chainlink is an oracle system built on the Ethereum blockchain, allowing smart contracts to access real-world external information and provide it to decentralized protocols on the chain. Oracles are widely regarded as one of the key applications for determining whether blockchain technology can achieve mass adoption.

Chainlink, which has long been dedicated to oracle development, announced on its official Blog the launch of Chainlink VRF, a verifiable random function service. Developers can easily integrate Chainlink VRF into smart contracts to provide users with verified randomness and demonstrate that the randomness is unpredictable.

Chainlink VRF

VRF stands for Verifiable Random Function, a special function in the field of cryptography that is designed to generate a random and unpredictable value while allowing for its randomness to be verified.

With Chainlink VRF, users can access projects based on smart contracts (such as blockchain games) and verify their randomness, proving that the application has not been tampered with and is running on the blockchain. The operation is as follows:

• The smart contract of an external application requests random number verification from Chainlink
• Chainlink generates a random number through VRF
• The random number is sent to the VRF smart contract for random verification
• Returned to the smart contract of the external application

Chainlink's co-founder Sergey Nazarov stated in an interview:

"If randomness cannot be verified, many applications cannot exist in a trustless manner. Chainlink VRF will be a paid mechanism to create a token economy within Chainlink."

Many DApps, especially those in the gaming category, require randomness to create fair game mechanisms. In the past, it has been somewhat challenging to determine if projects or external attacks could manipulate randomness, requiring verification of their authenticity through centralized third parties. With the decentralized Chainlink VRF, blockchain games may better demonstrate their fairness and transparency.

Zero-Cost Lottery PoolTogether

The verifiable random service Chainlink VRF is particularly suitable for projects that need to prove their randomness. The no-loss lottery PoolTogether, previously reported, has announced itself as the first user of Chainlink VRF.

"Zero-Cost Lottery PoolTogether" is a DeFi-derived project where a lottery ticket costs only 1 USD (charged in DAI or USDC), with all funds pooled in a smart contract-based fund pool. Users earn interest through decentralized lending platforms, and each week a randomly selected user receives the interest accumulated over the week.

Now, PoolTogether is transitioning from a centralized random selection mechanism to Chainlink VRF to achieve decentralized randomness.

It is understood that the Chainlink VRF security review is in its final stages. Chainlink has been actively expanding its use cases and project collaborations this year, with its first-quarter growth significantly outperforming Bitcoin, making it one of the most active cryptocurrencies in terms of applications and price in the market.

Vitalik Strongly Opposes Embedded Oracle Proposal

On the other hand, Ethereum community developers have proposed a proposal today to develop an embedded Oracle based on Ethereum Layer 1. However, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin believes that this would fundamentally alter the core technical attributes of blockchain, compromise protocol neutrality, and close the door to innovation in oracle design, strongly opposing the proposal. If the proposal is adopted, it is likely to reduce the demand for Chainlink's services in the market as a consequence.