Blockchain data provider Chainlink has launched a platform that will enable developers to connect a range of data with smart contracts, the company said on Wednesday.
Chainlink Functions will enable any smart contract – blockchain protocols that execute the terms of a contract – to connect to any Web2 Application Program Interface (API).
“Until now, Web3 developers couldn’t connect their smart contracts to existing Web2 APIs to access social media signals, AI computation, messaging services, and more,” the company said in its blog post.
The beta version of Chainlink Functions is live on Ethereum Sepolia and Polygon Mumbai testnets, the company added. The Chainlink token (LINK) is little-changed on Wednesday at $7.41.
“Chainlink technology is an ideal way to provide smart contract developers anywhere in the world with direct, on-demand access to AP’s (Associated Press) trusted economic, sports, and election race call data.” Michael Fabiano, Vice President of Americas Media and Head of Global Business Development, told CoinDesk in a statement. “With the launch of Chainlink Functions, it will be easier-than-ever for AP licensed developers to integrate AP data with innovative smart contracts and deploy new use cases across leading blockchain networks.”
It’s the latest move for Chainlink, which has aimed to provide solutions to better connect the world with blockchain technology. In September the company announced a partnership with SWIFT, an interbank messaging system, to help it make token transfers and communicate across all blockchain environments.
