Google Cloud Launches Blockchain RPC Service for Web3 Developers
Date: 2024-09-19 Author: Henry Casey Categories: BLOCKCHAIN
On September 18, Google Cloud launched a new remote procedure call (RPC) service for blockchains that allows Web3 developers to build decentralized applications (DApps) faster and more efficiently.
With the new service, developers can use API calls to interact with blockchain data and integrate it into Ethereum-based applications with a single line of code.
A Universal Service for All Developers
While natively supporting the Ethereum mainnet and its testnets, Google Cloud’s Blockchain RPC service is compatible with the JSON-RPC standard for Ethereum. This means that, as Google Cloud’s announcement states, developers can easily integrate the service into their existing applications with minimal changes.
Google Cloud also plans to expand support for other blockchains next year.
Additionally, Blockchain RPC is capable of scaling based on request volume, eliminating the need for manual scaling and providing developers with a seamless experience.
Google Cloud noted that Blockchain RPC is designed for a variety of developers, from startups looking for a simple entry point into Web3 to large enterprises looking for a robust, high-performance infrastructure.
The free version of Blockchain RPC supports up to 100 requests per second and up to 1 million requests per day, making it suitable for many developers.
For enterprise developers looking for larger-scale computing, Google Cloud plans to launch a premium version in the coming months.
RPC Issues as Web3 Activity Increases
The launch of Blockchain RPC comes at a time when the Web3 ecosystem is facing issues related to RPC services.
On June 17, the ZkSync Era network, an Ethereum-based layer 2 solution, experienced performance issues due to a large influx of users trying to claim the coveted ZK tokens. ZkSync attributed the network congestion to the sheer number of users, which caused some RPC services to degrade.
Google Cloud’s expansion into Web3
Google Cloud’s new service enters a competitive marketplace that already includes RPC providers like Infura, Alchemy, QuickNode, Ankr, and others. These services also allow developers to interact with blockchains without having to run a full node.
In addition to Blockchain RPC, Google Cloud offers a wide range of Web3 infrastructure services, including node hosting and BigQuery data analytics for 19 different blockchains, allowing developers to gain valuable insights into blockchain activity.
In addition, Google Cloud validates several networks, including Aptos, Arbitrum, Solana, Hedera, and Fantom.
