Internet Computer at a glance.
The Internet Computer, launched in 2021 by the DFINITY Foundation, runs smart contracts that can serve web content and scale across many subnets. Here is how it works and how it is used, not the price.
n/a
Value locked in DeFi protocols on Internet Computer. Updated Jun 2, 2026. Source: DefiLlama.
ICP
Used for fees and securing the network. See the live ICP price.
How Internet Computer works.
The network is organized into groups of nodes called subnets, each producing and finalizing blocks together. Threshold relay coordinates which nodes lead each round, and chain-key cryptography lets each subnet sign its state with a single public key, so other parties can verify results without tracking every node. This gives fast finality and lets many subnets run in parallel.
The network is organized into groups of nodes called subnets, each producing and finalizing blocks together. Threshold relay coordinates which nodes lead each round, and chain-key cryptography lets each subnet sign its state with a single public key, so other parties can verify results without tracking every node. This gives fast finality and lets many subnets run in parallel.
Canisters
Smart contracts on the Internet Computer are called canisters, and they can store data and serve web content directly to users.
Subnet architecture
The network is split into subnets, separate groups of nodes that process work in parallel so capacity can grow as more subnets are added.
Chain-key cryptography
Each subnet signs its output with a single chain-key, which lets anyone verify results with one public key instead of inspecting every node.
Reverse-gas model
Canisters pre-pay for computation using cycles, so end users can interact with applications without needing to hold tokens for fees.
What Internet Computer is used for.
ICP is used to create cycles for computation, take part in governance, and back applications that serve web content on-chain.
On-chain web apps
Run applications whose canisters serve front-end content directly from the network.
Governance
Stake ICP in the network nervous system to vote on proposals and earn rewards.
Scalable services
Deploy services across multiple subnets so capacity grows with demand.
Hold, swap and spend ICP.
Internet Computer is integrated in the Zypto App. Hold ICP in self-custody, swap it to any supported asset, and use it across Zypto’s features.
Be the reason Internet Computer ships next.
Internet Computer isn’t in the Zypto App yet. Post the request to your followers, chains with the most demand get prioritised.
Request on XCommon questions.
What is a canister?
How do fees work?
How does the Internet Computer scale?
Can I hold ICP in the Zypto App?
Related networks.
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