From cointelegraph by Mike Kara

Blockchain oracles play a crucial role in connecting the Web3 space to the broader digital universe, but their importance is often shadowed by technical narratives and complex terminology. Since oracles hold the key to moving the Web3 ecosystem forward, it’s vital to have a better understanding of the technology before delving into more advanced details about oracles —such as application-specific blockchain oracles.

Imagine a self-driving car designed to navigate roads autonomously. It operates based on pre-programmed instructions but relies heavily on real-time information — traffic conditions, weather updates and unexpected obstacles — to make informed decisions.

Similarly, blockchains function based on smart contracts, which are self-executing agreements coded to perform certain actions when specific conditions are met. However, for these smart contracts to interact effectively with the real world, they need access to external data from beyond the blockchain. This is where blockchain oracles come into play.

What are blockchain oracles?

Blockchain oracles act as bridges between the closed blockchain environment and the external world. They feed real-world data into the blockchain, enabling smart contracts to execute based on events or conditions occurring outside the network.

Without oracles, blockchain networks would be isolated systems, unable to respond to external stimuli. Going with the same analogy, it would be much like a self-driving car without sensors that are unable to adapt to changing road conditions.

The limitations of standard oracles

The first generation of blockchain oracles offers generalized data feeds, such as cryptocurrency prices or stock market indexes. While essential for many financial decentralized applications (DApps), these standard data feeds may not suffice for specialized blockchain projects that require specific types of information.

For instance, a decentralized insurance platform might need real-time weather data to process crop insurance claims, or a supply chain application might require detailed tracking information for shipments.

Next step: application-specific oracles

True to the innovative nature of the Web3 space, application-specific oracles are a relatively new approach to how blockchain networks can communicate with the rest of the world. They provide customized data feeds tailored to the unique requirements of layer-1 and layer-2 chains and individual projects and industries. By delivering precise, relevant information, these oracles enhance the efficiency and reliability of blockchain applications.

Gora, a decentralized oracle provider and a Cointelegraph Accelerator participant, has launched application-specific oracles that allow projects to deploy fully customizable, open-source oracles. These oracles can be fine-tuned to cater to industry-specific needs, whether in insurance, gaming, finance or supply chain management.

The role of application-specific oracle

Gora’s application-specific approach to blockchain oracles enables Web3 projects the flexibility to deploy tailored solutions specifically for their applications without the prohibitive costs and maintenance challenges that come with traditional providers. Here are some of the key benefits of Gora’s application-specific oracle:

Customization

Projects can configure their oracles to deliver data specific to their exact needs. This level of customization enhances the performance of blockchain applications by ensuring they operate with the most relevant and accurate information.

Enhanced security

By allowing projects to secure their oracles using their existing tokens, they strengthen their ecosystem and maintain greater control over their data. This tokenized security model reduces reliance on external sources and enhances trust within the project’s community.

Cost-effectiveness

Application-specific oracles offer a more economical alternative to traditional oracles, which can be prohibitively expensive. They lower financial barriers, making high-quality data accessible to small and medium-sized projects that might otherwise be limited by cost constraints.

Decentralization and transparency

Built on open-source and decentralized technology, these oracles uphold core blockchain principles. They ensure data integrity and allow users to verify operations, fostering transparency and trust in the network.

The impact on the blockchain space

The introduction of application-specific oracles marks a significant step forward in blockchain technology. For instance, in the gaming industry, application-specific oracles can provide real-time game state data, enabling decentralized games to offer experiences comparable to traditional online games. In finance, they can supply precise market indicators required for complex derivatives and financial instruments.

Gora’s oracles are designed to cater to both enterprise and smaller-scale blockchain projects, with a model that makes high-quality data accessible regardless of project size. This flexibility is instrumental in promoting blockchain adoption, providing emerging Web3 projects, layer-1 and layer-2 blockchain networks a powerful tool to integrate relevant, reliable data without the prohibitive costs often associated with custom oracle development.

Commenting on the launch of application-specific oracles, Gora Network CEO Abdul Osman said:

“Our mission is to make decentralized data access adaptable, secure and accessible to everyone, especially the innovative projects that drive Web3 forward.”

Blockchain oracles are essential for connecting smart contracts with real-world data, and the emergence of application-specific oracles represents a major step forward. Customized, secure and cost-effective data solutions unlock new possibilities for blockchain applications, driving innovation and accelerating adoption across diverse sectors.