What is the Ethereum protocol?
Ethereum, launched in 2015, is a decentralized and open-source blockchain network that provides a platform for developers to build decentralized applications for diverse purposes. Ethereum relies on a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, and one of Ethereum's most critical features is its smart contract functionality, which empowers developers to create self-executing programs, automating the enforcement of contractual terms and conditions.
Find useful Ethereum tools in the Ethereum tooling section.
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What is the Ethereum API
The Ethereum API allows developers to communicate with the Ethereum blockchain to build applications.
Chainstack Ethereum nodes provide execution layer API (aka Beacon Chain API) and consensus layer API.
An application must connect to an Ethereum RPC node to read data from and send transactions to the Ethereum blockchain.
When communicating with an Ethereum RPC node, the Ethereum client implements a JSON-RPC specification, a communication protocol allowing one to make remote calls and execute them as if they were made locally.
How to start using the Ethereum API
You need access to an Ethereum RPC node to use the Ethereum API.
Follow these steps to sign up on Chainstack, deploy an Ethereum RPC node, and find your endpoint credentials:
Now, you can connect to the Ethereum blockchain and use the Ethereum API to build.
See also