Covalent (CQT), the leading Web3 data indexer and provider, announces a groundbreaking collaboration with the University of Calgary–marking a significant milestone in advancing blockchain data research and accessibility. As the first academic institution to join Covalent as a validator, this collaboration not only marks an expansion in its network but also solidifies a commitment to education and innovation within the Web3 space.

In its role as a validator, the University of Calgary stands to receive staking rewards in CQT, dedicated to fueling valuable research initiatives. Covalent kickstarts this collaboration by endowing the university with 175,000 CQT, equivalent to approximately CAD $44,000, demonstrating a commitment to supporting academic pursuits and fostering innovation.

Led by Dr. Alfred Lehar, a prominent professor in the Finance area of the Haskayne School of Business, describes the partnership as more than an academic venture – it’s a collective step towards Web3 adoption. By integrating the University of Calgary as a validator, Covalent is democratizing access to blockchain data and research opportunities. This aligns with Covalent’s broader vision, ensuring that educational and research benefits are distributed across diverse academic institutions. Dr. Lehar’s expertise, along with a team of research assistants, will contribute to expanding Covalent’s network while providing invaluable insights for academic research and student education.

Quote from Ganesh Swami, Co-Founder and CEO at Covalent

“The future of blockchain rests with the immediate availability of live and historical data in a multitude of formats that persists long into the future—not just the last 15 minutes. Dr. Alfred Lehar and his team will help ensure this vision stays a reality.”

Unlocking the Power of Covalent’s Unified API

At the heart of this collaboration lies Covalent’s Unified API, a powerful tool that facilitates seamless access to real-time and historical blockchain data. The Unified API serves as a gateway, empowering researchers, students, and developers at the university to extract insights from over 200 blockchains indexed by Covalent. This not only streamlines blockchain exploration but also lays the foundation for a standardized approach to accessing historical data.

Covalent is Revolutionizing Data Availability for Academia

Blockchain data, while publicly available, presents challenges in access and interpretation. Dr. Lehar’s team will play a pivotal role in accessing, transforming, and providing this complex data in a more user-friendly format. The Covalent Network will offer users access to live network activity, including transactions, game quest completions, and other data points.

Dr. Alfred Lehar, professor, Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary

“For us, it’s an opportunity to show students this cutting-edge technology, grow the new economy, and collect data that furthers deep research.”

Already a leader in empirical blockchain finance research, the University of Calgary’s collaboration with Covalent aims to further explore the intersection of finance and technology. Insights gained from Covalent’s blockchain data will contribute to ongoing research on how blockchain mechanisms can enhance the efficiency of financial institutions.

This collaboration underscores Covalent’s dedication to decentralizing education, fostering innovation, and ensuring that the transformative potential of blockchain technology is harnessed by academic communities worldwide. Together, Covalent and the University of Calgary are shaping a future where decentralized knowledge is a cornerstone of academic exploration and advancement.

About Covalent

Covalent powers the data layer in blockchain, enabling millions of users to build the new economy. It stands out for its deep commitment to democratizing blockchain data availability. Since its inception, Covalent has been helping developers, analysts, and enthusiasts with comprehensive, real-time data across over 200 blockchains. Learn how Covalent is building the Ethereum Wayback Machine.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada’s entrepreneurial university, located in Canada’s most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 35,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada’s leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary.

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