What Is Gnosis? All You Need to Know About GNO

BeginnerFeb 06, 2023
Gnosis is a blockchain infrastructure provider that was first launched in 2015 as a decentralized prediction market.
What Is Gnosis? All You Need to Know About GNO

What Is Gnosis?

Gnosis is a decentralized platform that allows users to predict the outcome of events, create and trade prediction markets, and generate revenue through the buying and selling of event-based tokens. The platform is built on the Ethereum blockchain and utilizes smart contracts to facilitate the creation and settlement of prediction markets. By operating on a decentralized network and allowing users to create their own marketplace at will, Gnosis provides a unique experience and secure platform for its users.

History of Gnosis (GNO)?

Gnosis was founded in 2015 by Martin Köppelmann and Stefan George, with the goal of creating a decentralized platform for prediction markets. Prediction markets are platforms that allow users to speculate on the outcome of events, such as elections, sports games, and other real-world occurrences.

In 2017, Gnosis conducted one of the largest initial coin offerings (ICO) to date, raising over $12 million in just 15 minutes. An ICO is a fundraising mechanism in which a company issues a new cryptocurrency in exchange for funding. The Gnosis ICO was notable for its rapid success, with the company reaching its fundraising goal in a short period of time.

After the ICO, Gnosis began developing its platform, which was built on the Ethereum blockchain. The platform was designed to allow users to create and trade prediction markets, as well as generate revenue through the buying and selling of event-based tokens. In 2018, Gnosis released the beta version of its platform, which was made available to a limited number of users for testing. Since then, Gnosis has continued to develop and improve its platform, adding new features and services to meet the needs of its users.

How Does Gnosis Work? Core Layer, Services Layer, Application Layer

Gnosis is a decentralized platform that allows users to create and trade prediction markets, and generate revenue through the buying and selling of event-based tokens. The platform is built on the Ethereum blockchain and utilizes smart contracts to facilitate the creation and settlement of prediction markets. Gnosis is composed of three layers: the core layer, the services layer, and the application layer.

Core Layer

The core layer consists of the Gnosis protocol, which is the foundation of the platform and is responsible for facilitating the creation and settlement of prediction markets. The Gnosis protocol uses smart contracts to enforce the rules of each prediction market and to ensure that the outcome of each market is fair and transparent. The protocol is also responsible for managing the flow of tokens on the platform, including the creation and redemption of event-based tokens.


Source: GnosisDAO

Services Layer

The services layer consists of various tools and services that allow developers to build applications on top of the Gnosis protocol, such as the Gnosis API and the GnosisJS library. The Gnosis API provides developers with access to the Gnosis protocol and allows them to build their own applications using the Gnosis platform. The GnosisJS library is a collection of JavaScript tools and libraries that make it easier for developers to build dApps on the Gnosis platform.

Application Layer

The application layer consists of various decentralized applications (dApps) that are built using the Gnosis protocol and services. These dApps allow users to interact with the Gnosis platform and access various features and services, such as creating and trading prediction markets, managing their tokens, and participating in governance.

In summary, the core layer of Gnosis is responsible for the underlying functionality of the platform, the services layer provides tools and services for developers to build applications on top of the platform, and the application layer consists of the dApps that users interact with to access the features and services of the Gnosis platform.

Gnosis’ Main Features: Conditional Tokens and Gnosis Safe

Gnosis has several key features that make it a unique and powerful platform for prediction markets and event-based token trading.

Conditional Tokens

Conditional tokens are a key feature of the Gnosis platform that allow users to create and trade tokens that are only redeemable if a certain condition is met. These tokens are created using smart contracts on the Gnosis platform and can be traded on the platform or on external exchanges.

Conditional tokens provide a way for users to speculate on the outcome of events and generate revenue if their prediction is correct. For example, a user could create a conditional token that is only redeemable if a certain football team wins a match. If the team wins, the token holder can redeem their token for a profit. If the team loses, the token becomes worthless.

As exemplified in the project’s documentation, conditional tokens can be created for any market in any circumstance. Here’s an example of Elon Musk and Tesla: “Will Elon Musk step down under the condition that the Tesla Stock is below $300?”


Source: GnosisDocs

There are many potential uses for conditional tokens, including predicting the outcome of elections, sports games, and other real-world occurrences. Users can create their own tokens or trade tokens created by others, providing a way to speculate on a wide range of events.

Here are a few examples of how conditional tokens could be used:

  • A user creates a conditional token that is only redeemable if a certain company’s stock price exceeds a certain threshold within a certain timeframe. If the stock price reaches the threshold, the token holder can redeem their token for a profit. If the stock price does not reach the threshold, the token becomes worthless.
  • A user creates a conditional token that is only redeemable if a certain candidate wins an election. If the candidate wins, the token holder can redeem their token for a profit. If the candidate loses, the token becomes worthless.
  • A user creates a conditional token that is only redeemable if a certain sports team wins a championship. If the team wins, the token holder can redeem their token for a profit. If the team loses, the token becomes worthless.

In each of these examples, the value of the conditional token is tied to the outcome of a specific event. If the event occurs as predicted, the token holder can redeem their token for a profit. If the event does not occur as predicted, the token becomes worthless.

Conditional tokens provide a way for users to speculate on the outcome of events and generate revenue if their prediction is correct. They also provide a way for users to hedge their bets, as they can buy tokens that represent different outcomes of an event, reducing their risk if their prediction is incorrect.

Overall, conditional tokens are a powerful and flexible tool for creating and trading event-based tokens on the Gnosis platform. They provide a way for users to speculate on the outcome of a wide range of events and generate revenue if their prediction is correct.

Gnosis Safe

Gnosis Safe is a secure and user-friendly wallet that allows users to manage their tokens and interact with the Gnosis platform. The Gnosis Safe utilizes multi-sig technology, which requires multiple signatures to authorize a transaction, providing an additional layer of security.

In addition to providing secure storage for tokens, the Gnosis Safe also allows users to easily manage their tokens and interact with the Gnosis platform. Users can use the Gnosis Safe to create and trade prediction markets, participate in governance, and access other features and services of the Gnosis platform.


Source: Multisig Feature - Gnosis Safe

The Gnosis Safe is available as a web-based application and as a mobile app, making it convenient for users to access their tokens and interact with the Gnosis platform from any device.

Here are a few examples of how users can use the Gnosis Safe:

  • A user wants to create a prediction market on the Gnosis platform. They can use the Gnosis Safe to create the market, specify the terms and conditions, and set the rules for the market. Once the market is created, other users can participate by buying and selling event-based tokens on the market.
  • A user wants to participate in the governance of the Gnosis platform. They can use the Gnosis Safe to vote on decisions related to the development and management of the platform.
  • A user wants to trade event-based tokens on the Gnosis platform. They can use the Gnosis Safe to buy and sell tokens, view their balance and transaction history, and manage their tokens.
  • A user wants to access other features and services of the Gnosis platform, such as using the Gnosis API or building a dApp on the platform. They can use the Gnosis Safe to authenticate their access and manage their tokens.

Overall, the Gnosis Safe is a convenient and secure way for users to manage their tokens and interact with the Gnosis platform. It provides a range of tools and services to facilitate the creation and settlement of prediction markets, as well as secure the management of tokens.

Gnosis Governance: GnosisDAO

Gnosis Governance is the decentralized governance system of the Gnosis platform, which allows token holders to vote on decisions related to the development and management of the platform. The Gnosis Governance system is based on the GnosisDAO, which is a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) that is responsible for distributing revenue generated by the Gnosis platform, as well as funding the development of new features and services.

The GnosisDAO is governed by GNO token holders, who have the ability to vote on proposals and make decisions about the direction of the Gnosis platform. To participate in governance, GNO token holders must lock their tokens in the GnosisDAO contract and become members of the DAO.

Once a member of the GnosisDAO, a token holder can propose and vote on governance proposals. Proposals can include ideas for new features and services, changes to the Gnosis platform, or decisions about the distribution of revenue. Token holders can vote on proposals using their GNO tokens, with each token representing one vote.

The GnosisDAO uses a quorum-based voting system, which means that a minimum number of votes (the quorum) must be reached before a proposal can be approved. The quorum is determined based on the number of GNO tokens locked in the GnosisDAO contract, with a higher quorum requiring more tokens to be locked.

Once a proposal is approved, the GnosisDAO will fund the implementation of the proposal using the revenue generated by the Gnosis platform. The GnosisDAO is also responsible for distributing this revenue to GNO token holders, based on the number of tokens they hold and the amount of time they have been locked in the GnosisDAO contract.

Overall, the Gnosis Governance system and GnosisDAO provide a decentralized and transparent way for GNO token holders to participate in the decision-making process of the Gnosis platform and to share in the revenue generated by the platform. It allows the Gnosis community to collaborate and contribute to the direction and development of the platform, ensuring that it meets the needs and goals of its users.

Gnosis Chain: Gnosis Merge with xDAI Chain

What Is the Gnosis Chain?

The Gnosis chain is a decentralized platform that combines the features of the Gnosis platform with the fast and cheap transaction capabilities of the xDAI Chain, a sidechain of the Ethereum blockchain. The Gnosis chain allows users to create and trade prediction markets, and generate revenue through the buying and selling of event-based tokens, using a new native token called OWL.

The Gnosis chain was created through the merger of the Gnosis platform with the xDAI Chain in 2021. The xDAI Chain is a sidechain of the Ethereum blockchain that is designed to be faster and cheaper to use than the main Ethereum chain. It achieves this through the use of a different consensus algorithm and by using a stablecoin (DAI) as the native currency, which helps to reduce price volatility.

Gnosis Chain’s Features

By merging with the xDAI Chain, the Gnosis platform was able to leverage the fast and cheap transaction capabilities of the xDAI Chain to improve its performance and usability of the Gnosis platform. This was particularly important for the Gnosis platform, which requires fast and cheap transactions to facilitate the creation and settlement of prediction markets.

In addition to the Gnosis platform, the Gnosis chain also includes a number of other decentralized applications (dApps) that are built using the Gnosis protocol and services. These dApps allow users to interact with the Gnosis platform and access various features and services, such as creating and trading prediction markets, managing their tokens, and participating in governance.

Overall, the Gnosis chain is a decentralized platform that combines the features of the Gnosis platform with the fast and cheap transaction capabilities of the xDAI Chain. It provides users with a powerful and flexible way to create and trade prediction markets, generate revenue, and access a range of features and services on the Gnosis platform.

These are the main features of the Gnosis Chain:

  • Fast transactions: With a block duration of only five seconds, Gnosis enables users to quickly make regular payments (5 seconds is roughly the same amount of time a chip reader takes to read a Visa credit card).
  • Native Stablecoin: Because its price won’t fluctuate minute by minute like, say, Bitcoin, xDAI is a native stablecoin, making it simpler to use for payments.
  • Fee structure: On the Gnosis Chain, there is a charge of 0.01 xDAI per 500 transactions, which is a stablecoin.
  • Ethereum compatibility: Gnosis is EVM compatible, making it simple for developers to fork ETH-based dApps without exerting too much effort. Ethereum compatibility + interoperability.
  • Scalability: As needed, both vertical and horizontal scaling (such as optimizing validator hardware) are conceivable.
  • Randomness: True randomness is made possible on the Gnosis Chain via Gnosis validators, which smart contracts running on the Gnosis Chain can leverage.


Source: GnosisDAO

What Are the GNO & OWL Tokens?

Gnosis has two types of tokens: Gnosis (GNO) and OWL.

GNO token

GNO (Gnosis) is a cryptocurrency and the native token of the Gnosis platform. It is used to access various features and services on the Gnosis platform, including the ability to participate in the governance of the platform through the GnosisDAO.

The GNO token is used to access various features and services of the Gnosis platform, including:

  • Governance: GNO token holders can participate in the governance of the Gnosis platform through the GnosisDAO, a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) that is responsible for distributing revenue generated by the Gnosis platform, as well as funding the development of new features and services. To participate in governance, GNO token holders must lock their tokens in the GnosisDAO contract and become members of the DAO.
  • Trading: GNO tokens can be bought and sold on cryptocurrency exchanges, allowing users to speculate on the price of the token.
  • Creating and trading prediction markets: Users can use GNO tokens to create and trade prediction markets on the Gnosis platform.
  • Accessing features and services: GNO tokens are required to access various features and services on the Gnosis platform, such as using the Gnosis API or building a decentralized application (dApp) on the platform.

Overall, the GNO token is an important component of the Gnosis platform, providing users with access to a range of features and services on the platform and allowing them to participate in the governance of the platform through the GnosisDAO.

OWL token

OWL (Gnosis OWL) is a cryptocurrency and the native token of the Gnosis chain, a decentralized platform that combines the features of the Gnosis platform with the fast and cheap transaction capabilities of the xDAI Chain. The Gnosis chain allows users to create and trade prediction markets, and generate revenue through the buying and selling of event-based tokens, using the OWL token.

You use OWL tokens to pay fees on the platform, and 1 OWL is always equal to 1 USD. Gnosis does not charge tokens but instead burns them, removing them from circulation. You can also pay your fees with any other ERC20 token. When you choose this option, Gnosis will buy GNO with your fees and burn GNO.

The OWL token has several main features and use cases:

  • Native currency: The OWL token is the native currency of the Gnosis chain, which means it is used to facilitate the creation and settlement of prediction markets on the Gnosis platform.
  • Trading: OWL tokens can be bought and sold on cryptocurrency exchanges, allowing users to speculate on the price of the token.
  • Accessing features and services: OWL tokens are required to access various features and services on the Gnosis chain, such as using the Gnosis API or building a decentralized application (dApp) on the platform.

Is GNO a Good Investment?

Gnosis is a unique and innovative platform that has the potential to disrupt traditional prediction markets and trading platforms. The Gnosis chain also has a strong developer community and a range of tools and services for developers to build applications on top of the platform, which could drive adoption and increase the value of the OWL token.

Overall, Gnosis has the potential to be a good investment for those interested in the future of prediction markets and event-based token trading. Its unique and innovative platform, combined with the fast and cheap transaction capabilities of the Gnosis chain, could make it a powerful and disruptive player in the cryptocurrency and prediction market spaces.

How to own GNO

One way to own GNO is to go through a crypto centralized exchange. The first step is to create a Gate.io account and complete the KYC process. Once you have added funds to your account, check out the steps to buy GNO on the spot or derivatives market.

Useful References

For the latest updates about GNO you can visit:

Take Action on GNO

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作者: Gabriel
译者: binyu
文章审校: Ashley
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