# API3 (API3): D-Score 31/100 — Centralized Leaning

**BlockIndex D-Score: 31/100 (Centralized Leaning).** API3 (API3) is a Layer 1 cryptocurrency using PoS consensus. API3: First-party oracle token enabling Airnode middleware for API providers to deliver transparent dAPIs to blockchains.

_Source: https://blockindex.ai/coin/api3 · Data by BlockIndex.AI · Updated 2026-06-19_

## D-Score breakdown (0-100, higher means more decentralized)
| Component | Score |
| --- | --- |
| Overall D-Score | 31 |
| Node distribution | 0 |
| Initial distribution | 0 |
| Governance | 15 |
| Age and history | 11 |
| Autonomy | 5 |

## Key facts
- Layer: Layer 1
- Consensus: PoS (N/A)
- Launch: IDO (2020)
- Founder: Heikki Vanttinen, Burak Benligiray, Saša Milić
- VC funded: Yes
- Max supply: N/A
- Circulating: 86,421,978

## Market data (as of 2026-06-19)
- Price: $0.26
- Market cap: $22.73M
- 24h volume: $9.57M
- 24h change: -1.32% · 7d change: +4.08%

## About
API3 is a first-party oracle and middleware project that enables API providers to operate their own nodes and publish data directly to blockchains. At its core is Airnode, a lightweight middleware designed to let API providers connect to smart contracts without relying on third-party oracle operators. The project's mission is to address the blockchain oracle problem by increasing transparency at the data-source level and reducing intermediary overhead; by allowing API providers to run Airnode instances, API3 aims to reduce single points of failure and improve trustworthiness of off-chain data feeds. Its primary use cases are in DeFi and other smart-contract-driven domains that require timely, reliable off-chain data.

API3 is implemented as an ERC-20 token on Ethereum and leverages an architecture centered on Airnode and dAPIs (decentralized APIs). Airnode acts as a bridge between legacy API infrastructure and on-chain consumers: API providers run an Airnode instance which directly serves signed data to smart contracts, removing the need for dedicated oracle operators and reducing operational complexity. The project emphasizes composability across chains and feed coverage, with references to 100+ data feeds and cross-chain deployments of the API3 oracle stack in 2024–2025. As an ERC-20 token, API3 inherits Ethereum’s consensus properties and settles transfers on the underlying network rather than operating its own layer-1 blockchain.

Tokenomics center on distinct allocations and vesting schedules rather than inflationary block rewards. Sources in the combined summary describe distribution buckets (pre-seed/seed, founding team, public distribution, partners/contributors, and an ecosystem fund) and multi-year vesting for team and seed allocations; a clear on-chain emission schedule or block-reward mechanism does not apply because API3 is an ERC-20 asset. Market snapshots in the supplied data show supply and market metrics that have varied across sources (examples include a total supply snapshot of 156.84M and circulating supply figures near 86.42M). The project performed an early token distribution following its September 2020 whitepaper and a token launch at the start of December 2020; fundraising included pre-seed and seed allocations that indicate external investor backing.

Governance is token-centric: API3 token-holders are described as participants in governance activities, and the project materials reference governance mechanisms and token-based participation. While the combined materials reference governance functionality and token-holder participation, they do not present a complete on-chain governance contract or a fully enumerated DAO framework in the supplied excerpts. Development and ecosystem efforts emphasize continued Airnode development, expanded feed coverage, and integrations across chains and protocols; recent activity in 2024–2025 highlights deployments of the API3 oracle stack on multiple chains and protocol integrations (including OEV-enabled feeds), alongside marketing and brand updates intended to broaden adoption and developer engagement.

Overall, API3 positions itself as an oracle-layer innovator focused on a first-party oracle model: by enabling API providers to run Airnode, API3 aims to reduce intermediaries, provide more transparent data sources for smart contracts, and increase alignment between data providers and on-chain consumers. The combined summaries show a project with active ecosystem deployments, tangible tokenomics and vesting arrangements, and market presence across major exchanges and analytics platforms.

## Links
- Website: https://market.api3.org/
- Whitepaper: N/A
- GitHub: https://github.com/api3dao

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About the D-Score: BlockIndex.AI rates decentralization from 0 to 100 across node distribution, initial distribution, governance, age and history, and autonomy. Methodology: https://blockindex.ai/dscore