Introduction
Chainlink Verifiable Random Function (VRF) has emerged as the industry-standard Random Number Generator (RNG) solution, providing cryptographically secure, transparent, and verifiable randomness for smart contracts and off-chain systems.
Since its launch, Chainlink VRF has fulfilled over 3 million requests, supporting 2,300+ smart contracts across Ethereum, Polygon, Binance Smart Chain, and other blockchains. Leveraging advanced cryptographic commit-reveal mechanisms, VRF ensures tamper-proof randomness for:
- Secure NFT minting
- Fair blockchain gaming outcomes
- DeFi and DAO governance use cases
Today, we’re thrilled to announce Chainlink VRF v2—an upgraded version offering 60% lower gas costs, enhanced configurability, and streamlined scalability for developers.
Five Key Advantages of Chainlink VRF v2
1. Subscription Model: Cost-Efficient Randomness Requests
VRF v2 introduces a subscription management app, allowing users to prepay for randomness requests via a single LINK balance. This reduces gas fees by up to 60% by eliminating per-request LINK transfers.
👉 Learn how to optimize gas costs with VRF v2
2. Flexible Gas Limits: Greater Developer Control
Developers can now set custom gas limits (up to 2 million gas) for callback functions, enabling complex logic execution within the same transaction. This ensures reliability even during network congestion.
3. Configurable Security Parameters
- Adjustable block confirmations (3–200 blocks)
- Balanced security/performance for each dApp’s needs
4. Multi-Word Responses: Batch Randomness
Request multiple random values in a single transaction, minimizing latency and costs—ideal for high-throughput dApps.
5. Unified Billing: One Subscription, Multiple Contracts
Up to 100 smart contracts can share a single LINK subscription, simplifying payments and reducing overhead.
Common Use Cases for Chainlink VRF
Fair NFT Minting
Ensure equitable distribution of rare NFT traits (e.g., Polychain Monsters).
Randomized Airdrops & Loot Boxes
Audit-proof allocation of NFT collectibles (e.g., Axie Infinity).
Transparent Giveaways
Select winners for lotteries or community rewards (e.g., PoolTogether).
PvP Gaming Mechanics
Determine critical hits, player matchups, or battle outcomes in play-to-earn games.
Event Sequencing
Establish fair order for sales, tournaments, or governance processes.
Getting Started with VRF v2
Developers can integrate Chainlink VRF v2 with:
- Chainlink Automation for event-driven executions
- Chainlink Price Feeds for dynamic asset pricing
- Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) for multichain apps
Resources:
👉 Explore advanced RNG applications today
FAQ
Q1: How does VRF v2 reduce gas costs?
A1: The subscription model consolidates fees into one prepaid balance, cutting per-request transactions.
Q2: Can I use VRF v2 on non-Ethereum blockchains?
A2: Yes! VRF v2 will deploy to all Chainlink-supported networks (e.g., Polygon, BSC).
Q3: What’s the maximum gas limit for callbacks?
A3: 2 million gas (10x higher than VRF v1).
Q4: How many random numbers can I request at once?
A4: Multiple "words" per request—ideal for batch operations.
Q5: Is VRF v2 backward-compatible with v1?
A5: No; migrate to v2 for lower costs and new features.