Internet Computer

ICP Launched 2021 source

What this page is: neutral, sourced facts about Internet Computer. Every line links where it was checked. 9 facts, 8 from primary sources. Educational, not financial advice.

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Launch

On May 10, 2021 the Internet Computer blockchain transitioned into its public phase with Genesis Unlock. primary source source

Founders and creators

The DFINITY Foundation, a Swiss-based not-for-profit organization, builds the Internet Computer. primary source source

Origin story

DFINITY traces ICP token holdings to a February 2017 Seed fundraiser and a summer 2018 Airdrop. primary source source

Stated purpose

ICP uses blockchain technology and cryptography to run entire software systems end-to-end on the network: websites, apps, services, data, payments, and governance. secondary source source

Consensus mechanism

The replicas in a subnet run a consensus protocol so that all replicas process inputs in the same order. primary source source

Supply model

Cycles, created by transforming ICP, are burned by every computation, creating deflationary pressure; the network mints new ICP to reward node providers and governance participants, creating inflationary pressure. primary source source

Main uses today

Computational and storage costs on the Internet Computer are covered by a reverse-gas model, in which canister developers pre-pay costs in cycles obtained from ICP. primary source source
ICP tokens may be staked in the NNS to acquire voting rights so as to participate in the DAO that controls the IC network. primary source source
ICP utility tokens enable participation in governance by staking in the Network Nervous System (NNS) and can be converted into cycles that fuel computation. primary source source

Sources & studies

Last checked: 2026-11-04 · Prices, market caps and circulating supply are left out on purpose because they change by the minute. Educational, not financial advice.

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