Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) is a blockchain-based platform developed by the DFINITY Foundation that functions as a decentralized cloud, enabling developers to build and host fully on-chain applications, data, and services without relying on centralized infrastructure like AWS.

It operates as a "World Computer" using Chain Key Cryptography and independent node machines to process transactions at web speed with millisecond latency. Key features include:

  • Full-Stack Hosting: Applications run entirely on-chain using canisters (smart contracts with persistent memory), eliminating the need for off-chain servers.

  • Governance: The network is managed by the Network Nervous System (NNS), a DAO where ICP token holders stake tokens to vote on upgrades and proposals.

  • Utility: The ICP token is used to pay for computation (converted into "cycles"), govern the network, and reward node providers.

  • Interoperability: Native integration with other blockchains like Bitcoin and Ethereum allows for secure, bridge-less asset transfers and cross-chain smart contract execution.

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What is the current total value locked in ICP? How does ICP compare to Ethereum in terms of gas fees? Which major dApps are currently built on the Internet Computer?
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Internet Identity
identitysupport.dfinity.org › hc › en-us › articles › 27206292980884-What-is-the-Internet-Computer-Protocol-ICP
What is the Internet Computer Protocol (ICP)? – Internet Identity
3 June 2024 - The Internet Computer (ICP) is a new way to create and run online services without relying on big companies' servers. Instead, it uses a network of independent data centers, making everything run d...
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Medium
medium.com › @iantdover › developers-perspective-on-internet-computer-protocol-icp-9ca1969c8993
Developer’s Perspective on Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) | by Iantdover | Medium
1 December 2024 - The Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) is a blockchain-based platform designed to act as a decentralized cloud, enabling developers to build and host applications, services, and data directly on the blockchain.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/dfinity › explain what internet computer is doing in simple words
r/dfinity on Reddit: Explain what internet computer is doing in simple words
5 April 2024 -

I’ve been watching lots of videos on internet computer and all I’ve been hearing is buzz words and lots of bs ngl, “centralized, ai, and software easy for everyone” but not actually what they do with their technology.

Can someone give me an explanation of this technology and how it compares to other top L1s like solana, avax, eth or near?

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The Dfinity foundation created a new protocol on how a new internet could work, called the internet computer protocol (ICP). It is currently implemented as a close/permissioned network (you have to be approved and buy expensive hardware) but the network goes through various consensus to ensure you can trust these group of servers. Then they exposed this ICP internet to the TCP/HTTP internet so you can access it from a browser. The main difference from other blockchains is that this was created specifically to do compute and host the internet (hence why its called the internet computer). They also a good model where the cost of the compute is a stable coin so you can be confident as a business what your monthly bill will be no matter what the network does and how unstable its underlying cryptocurrency is. That's the jist, there are more details of course, but it should be mentioned that Dfinity and the community have taken strides to more decentralization but still need the reliability and predictiveness of a controlled network but have considered the idea of anyone joining (read about badlands)
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World compute. Governed by the holders. Block chain security. (Security is a massive deal alone) that's why governments, companies, and universities will probably implement this at a fast pace. Do you know China is the biggest in AI? How do you think they will use AI technology? To spread positivity throughout the Western world? Or use it as propaganda, dividing us and set us up against each other. As we already see way too much on the internet today. Stay safe. Invest in safe compute. Good luck!
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Coinbase
coinbase.com › learn › crypto-basics › what-is-internet-computer
What is Internet Computer (ICP)? | Coinbase
Internet Computer (ICP) is a set of protocols that allow independent data centers around the world to band together and offer a decentralized alternative to the current centralized internet cloud providers.
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CCN
ccn.com › home › education › crypto › blockchain › what is the internet computer protocol (icp) and how does it work?
What Is the Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) and How Does It Work?
25 April 2025 - The Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) is a decentralized blockchain network developed by the DFINITY Foundation, designed to extend the public internet so it can host backend software, transforming it into a global compute platform.
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Kraken
kraken.com › learn › what is internet computer protocol icp
What is Internet Computer Protocol? (ICP) | Kraken
10 June 2022 - Internet Computer Protocol is a blockchain network that aims to bring greater efficiency, speed and decentralization to computation and data storage.
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Learn Crypto
learncrypto.com › popular-coins › internet-computer
What is Internet Computer? ICP Explained #9
These nodes are independent computers that store data and transfer it to each other. The project facilitates a new consensus protocol in which several machines need to agree on which inputs to process and in which order. Basically, several machines worldwide run a piece of software each, and collectively they define the software’s current state. To understand more about how the Internet ...
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GitHub
github.com › dfinity › ic
GitHub - dfinity/ic: Internet Computer blockchain source: the client/replica software run by nodes · GitHub
9 April 2026 - The Internet Computer is the world’s first blockchain that runs at web speed and can increase its capacity without bound. Like the Internet (which is composed of many machines adhering to TCP/IP protocol) and blockchain protocols (such as ...
Starred by 1.8K users
Forked by 400 users
Languages   Rust 93.9% | Starlark 2.8% | Python 1.5% | Shell 1.0% | TLA 0.5% | Solidity 0.1%
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Glair
glair.ai › post › what-is-internet-computer-and-why-it-can-be-the-future
What is Internet Computer? and Why it Can be The Future?
The Internet Computer Protocol ("ICP"), which has constructed the world's first web-speed, web-serving public blockchain, developed the Internet Computer. The Internet Computer is self-contained and has the ability to expand its capacity as needed.
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Crypto.com
crypto.com › en › price › internet-computer
Internet Computer (ICP) Price Today: ICP Live Price, Charts, News - Crypto.com International
Calls contribute to providing competitive user experiences for blockchain. Update calls make persistent changes, and they cannot be tampered with since the Internet Computer Protocols run on every node in the subnet. Query calls work differently. They discard any changes made to memory when the programme has finished running.