The text discusses the blockchain oracle problem, a significant challenge for integrating smart contracts on networks like Ethereum into broader markets and use cases. Smart contracts have the potential to redefine multi-party agreements and value exchanges, but their functionality is limited by their inability to access external data, akin to an isolated network. Oracles serve as secure middleware to facilitate communication between blockchain-based smart contracts and off-chain systems, enabling the automation of data-driven processes. However, centralized oracles pose security risks, as they can become single points of failure. To address these concerns, the text introduces Chainlink, a decentralized oracle network designed to provide secure and reliable data inputs through features like open-source technology, decentralization at the node and data source levels, and advanced cryptographic techniques. Chainlink aims to maintain the deterministic nature of smart contracts while offering access to off-chain data, ensuring trust and security without compromising on core blockchain values.