What is an RPC Node [Full Guide for Blockchain Developers]

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What is an RPC Node [Full Guide for Blockchain Developers]

Blockchain technology powers decentralized apps (dApps), smart contracts, and digital assets. But for these apps to interact with a blockchain, they need a bridge. That bridge is an RPC node.

Every time a user checks their wallet balance, mints an NFT, or sends tokens, the app communicates with the blockchain through an RPC node. In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know: what RPC means, how RPC nodes work, their types, and why they are the backbone of Web3 infrastructure.

What Does RPC Stand For?

RPC stands for Remote Procedure Call. It’s a method in computer science that allows one program to request a service or data from another program, even if it runs on a different machine.

  • Simple analogy: Think of ordering food at a restaurant.

    • You (the user) = the application.

    • The waiter = the RPC mechanism.

    • The kitchen = the system that processes the request.

You don’t need to cook or know the kitchen details; you just make a request, and the waiter brings back the result. RPC works the same way: a developer calls a function, and the mechanism handles communication behind the scenes.

What is RPC in Blockchain?

In blockchain systems, RPC is used for interaction between applications (like wallets and dApps) and blockchain nodes.

  • Wallet balance checks

  • Transaction submissions

  • Smart contract queries

Most blockchains use JSON-RPC as the standard communication protocol. It’s lightweight, language-agnostic, and simple to use.

Examples of RPC Calls in Blockchain

  • Ethereum: eth_getBalance → fetch wallet balance.

  • Bitcoin: getblockchaininfo → return blockchain stats.

  • Solana: getBlockHeight → retrieve the latest block number.

RPC allows developers to focus on building applications without worrying about peer-to-peer networking or consensus mechanisms.

What is an RPC API?

An API (Application Programming Interface) defines how software components interact. RPC is one type of API style where communication looks like calling a function remotely.

  • API = restaurant menu (list of available options).

  • RPC = ordering a specific dish (function call).

So, while every RPC is an API, not all APIs are RPC. In blockchain, JSON-RPC is the most widely adopted RPC API style.

What is an RPC Node?

An RPC node is a blockchain node that exposes its functionality via RPC endpoints. Simply put, it’s a server that listens to requests like “What’s this wallet’s balance?” or “Submit this transaction” and returns a response.

Key Features of an RPC Node

  • Standardized communication – speaks JSON-RPC or similar.

  • Read & Write capabilities – can fetch data and broadcast transactions.

  • Gateway role – acts as the entry point for apps to interact with the blockchain.

Without RPC nodes, developers would need to directly manage complex blockchain internals—a costly and time-consuming process.

How Do RPC Nodes Work?

The process can be broken into four steps:

  1. Application sends a request
    Example: “Fetch balance of address 0x123…”

  2. RPC Node interprets it

    • For read requests → fetch from local blockchain state.

    • For write requests → broadcast transaction to peers.

  3. Blockchain processes the request

    • Reads are instant.

    • Writes go through validation, propagation, and block inclusion.

  4. Node sends response back
    Data is returned in structured JSON format.

Example JSON-RPC call:

Request:

{"jsonrpc": "2.0",
"method": "eth_getBalance",
"params": ["0x742d35Cc6634C0532925a3b844Bc454e4438f44e", "latest"],
"id": 1}

Response:

{"jsonrpc": "2.0",
"id": 1,
"result": "0x0234c8a3397aab58"}

This cycle repeats every time a dApp interacts with the blockchain.

What is an RPC Endpoint?

An RPC endpoint is the access point (URL or IP address) that applications use to send requests to an RPC node.

  • Node = the machine running blockchain software.

  • Endpoint = the “doorway” to connect with that node.

Examples:

  • Public Ethereum endpoint: https://mainnet.infura.io/v3/<API-key>

  • Local endpoint: http://127.0.0.1:8545

Types of RPC Endpoints

RPC endpoints differ in performance, reliability, and usage.

1. Public RPC Endpoints

  • Free, community-shared.

  • Pros: Easy access, great for testing.

  • Cons: Rate-limited, unreliable for production.

2. Private RPC Endpoints

  • Dedicated to your app.

  • Pros: Reliable, faster, backed by SLAs.

  • Cons: Paid or self-hosted.

3. Backup (Alternative) Endpoints

  • Secondary endpoints for fault tolerance.

  • Best practice: Always configure at least one backup.

Ways to Access RPC Nodes

Developers can connect to RPC nodes in multiple ways:

1. Use an RPC Node Provider

Providers manage infrastructure and offer ready-to-use endpoints.

  • Examples: Infura, Alchemy, QuickNode, Ankr, Chainstack.

  • Best for: Fast deployment and scaling.

2. Run Your Own RPC Node

Install blockchain client software (Geth, Nethermind, Erigon, Solana Validator).

  • Pros: Full control.

  • Cons: High cost, maintenance, long sync times.

3. Use Public Endpoints

  • Provided by blockchains for free.

  • Best for: Testing and hobby projects.

4. Hybrid Approach

Combine providers, self-hosted nodes, and backups for maximum resilience.

Real-World Use Cases of RPC Nodes

RPC nodes power nearly every blockchain interaction:

  • Wallets – Fetch balances and transactions in MetaMask, Phantom, Trust Wallet.

  • Transactions – Broadcast token transfers, swaps, and NFT mints.

  • Smart Contracts – Query liquidity pools, loan data, or token ownership.

  • NFTs & Gaming – Verify metadata, mint NFTs, update in-game assets.

  • DeFi – Platforms like Uniswap or Aave rely on constant RPC queries.

  • Blockchain Analytics – Explorers and dashboards fetch massive amounts of chain data.

Why RPC Nodes are Essential for Developers

  • Enable real-time blockchain interaction.

  • Provide simplified access without handling P2P layers.

  • Improve application performance with dedicated/private endpoints.

  • Support scaling dApps with hybrid and multi-provider setups.
    For a more detailed guide on RPC nodes, you can explore Cherry Servers’ explanation that goes deeper into their role in blockchain infrastructure.

FAQs About RPC Nodes

Q1: Can I build a dApp without using RPC nodes?

No. RPC nodes are necessary for reading blockchain data and writing transactions.

Q2: What’s the difference between an RPC node and an RPC endpoint?

  • RPC Node = the server running blockchain software.

  • RPC Endpoint = the access point (URL) to connect with that server.

Q3: Are public RPC nodes safe to use?

Yes, but they may be slow, rate-limited, or unreliable. For production apps, use private endpoints.

Q4: Do I need to run my own node as a developer?

Not necessarily. Most developers use providers like Infura, Alchemy, or QuickNode for convenience.

Q5: Why do some apps use multiple RPC endpoints?

To reduce downtime, ensure faster responses, and avoid dependence on a single provider.

Conclusion

RPC nodes are the hidden backbone of Web3. They make it possible for wallets, dApps, DeFi protocols, NFT platforms, and explorers to interact seamlessly with blockchains.

To recap:

  • RPC = Remote Procedure Call – a communication style.

  • RPC Node = a blockchain node with RPC enabled.

  • RPC Endpoint = the access point apps use to connect.

  • Types include public, private, and backup endpoints.

  • Developers can choose providers, self-host, or use hybrid setups.

As blockchain adoption grows, RPC infrastructure will continue evolving—toward decentralization, multi-provider systems, and higher resilience. For developers, understanding RPC nodes is key to building scalable, reliable, and user-friendly dApps.

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