> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://walletconnect-pay-docs-network-docs-migration.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Network

## Overview

The WalletConnect Network is a network of apps, wallets and chains, facilitating end-users to connect to apps using any supported wallet on any supported chain. It is chain agnostic, working across ecosystems from EVM and its L2s, to Solana, Cosmos, Polkadot, Bitcoin and more. To date, it has facilitated more than 300+ million connections for 50+ million users between over 700+ different wallets and 80,000+ applications.

Since its inception in 2018, the Network's design emphasizes interoperability and composability to efficiently enable interoperability between apps, wallets, fintechs, chains and TradFi.

## Technology

The WalletConnect Network's key components include:

1. **Service Nodes**; database nodes that form the backbone of the network's storage layer. They operate on a consistent-hashing based distributed database.

2. **Gateway Nodes**; responsible for facilitating encrypted communications and data routing between wallets and applications.

3. **Relay Service**; connects users' wallets to dapps.

## Permissioned Network

The WalletConnect Network operates in a permissioned environment. This means:

* Specific node operators manage the Service Nodes under service-level agreements.
* The Gateway Nodes are centralized and managed by WalletConnect.

This allows WalletConnect to provide a secure and reliable service for enterprise-grade apps and wallets.

## Network Participants

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/walletconnect-pay-docs-network-docs-migration/BLAu6ZhzKrgMpZKB/images/wk-sdk-graphic.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=BLAu6ZhzKrgMpZKB&q=85&s=d77be354c1d90a26fd7c378342d5992c" alt="WalletConnect Network Architecture" className="w-full" width="2148" height="1224" data-path="images/wk-sdk-graphic.png" />

The WalletConnect Network comprises various participants, each playing a crucial role in maintaining functionality and security:

1. **Service Node Operators**: They run the service nodes (database nodes) that form the backbone of the network's storage layer. These nodes operate on a consistent-hashing based distributed database.

2. **Gateway Node Operators**: They manage the gateway nodes, which are the entry points for apps and SDKs. Gateways facilitate encrypted communications and data routing between wallets and applications.

3. **Wallets**: These allow end-users to manage their blockchain keys and interact with apps via the WalletConnect protocol. Most wallets integrate with the network using the WalletKit SDK.

4. **Apps**: These are the products and services in the web3 space that drive traffic to the network. They can integrate directly or via available SDKs.

5. **SDKs**: Software Development Kits that simplify the integration process for apps and wallets.

6. **End Users**: The consumers of all services within the network, from wallets to apps, going through the relay and database nodes.

Each of these participants contributes to the ecosystem in unique ways, ensuring the network's functionality, security, and continued growth. Their roles and interactions form the foundation of the WalletConnect Network's robust and interconnected infrastructure.

## Learn more about the WalletConnect Network

<CardGroup columns={3}>
  <Card title="Governance" href="/network/WCT-token/governance" horizontal>
    Learn about the WalletConnect network's governance model.
  </Card>

  <Card title="WCT Token" href="/network/WCT-token/overview" horizontal>
    Learn how WCT powers the network's governance and incentivizes participants.
  </Card>

  <Card title="WalletConnect Whitepaper" href="https://whitepaper.walletconnect.network" horizontal>
    Read more about the network's design, architecture, and core principles.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>