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description: 'Source: https://witnet.io/about'
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# Flow of the Protocol

The Witnet protocol runs a single purpose blockchain with a token called WIT, which relies on a P2P network. The nodes on the network are called witnesses, and are incentivised by the WIT token to:

* Retrieve, Attest and Deliver data from any open API
* Mine a block to be added in the blockchain
* Be a bridge-node and connect the Witnet protocol to other protocols, such as Ethereum

![Witnet-Ethereum flow](https://witnet.io/_nuxt/img/7dd3279.svg)

Because the Witnet blockchain is free, open, and neutral, [you can run your own node](https://docs.witnet.io/try/run-a-node/) and mine blocks on the Witnet blockchain. Every node maintains the history of all the transactions on the blockchain.
