DEV Community: GetBlock

GetBlock at Consensus 2025: Meet Them in Hong Kong

GetBlock — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 20:35:03 +0000

GetBlock, a top-class node infrastructure provider, prepares to meet Hong Kong Consensus conference participants. The wait is almost over - so, what are we up to?

GetBlock at Consensus 2025 conference: Agenda

Consensus 2025 is the global blockchain and Web3 event hosted by CoinDesk, set on February 18-20, 2025. More than 8,000 participants are going to attend the event - and GetBlock is among them.

GetBlock, a Tier 1 RPC node provider, will participate in discussions, meetups, and events. It means every team on Consensus can say hi and unlock the opportunities for future synergies.

Namely, GetBlock representatives are always ready to:

select the top-notch RPC nodes for your project
ask which nodes are the best for your project and why
discuss the node performance issues
explore GetBlock’s Asian node infrastructure
and sooo much more regarding Web3 infra!

Engage with GetBlock representatives to explore cutting-edge Web3 infrastructure solutions!

Elena and Leo: Meet GetBlock representatives

This duo will make you familiar with the Web3 infrastructure market and GetBlock solutions. Meet them closer.

Elena is a Senior Account Manager at GetBlock—a seasoned professional who solved the greatest user challenges! She is known for her deep expertise in Web3 infra and client relations.
Leo is a Business Development Representative, recognized for his innovative approach to next-generation Web3 solutions—and how to deploy them, of course! His enthusiasm for RPC technology is truly endless.

They both will participate in key events, so you have the chance to catch them there!

Discuss crypto innovations with GetBlock

Attendees are encouraged to connect with Elena and Leo during the conference to discuss their projects or challenges regarding the Web3 infrastructure. But if you’re ready to ask good questions regarding node infrastructure—don’t wait and save their contacts now!

Elena, Senior Account Manager:
Telegram @Ellen_GetBlockio
Email (ellen@getblock.io)
Leo, Business Development Representative:
Telegram @Leo_BD_Getblock
Phone +852 6687 0378

Don’t miss this opportunity to collaborate with GetBlock’s experts and prepare your best questions and discussion topics. And more—register at GetBlock now and explore the dedicated node solutions for your projects!

Winternitz Vault: Key to Solana’s Quantum Resistance?

GetBlock — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 09:36:55 +0000

Quantum computing promises revolutionary advancements but also raises critical questions about security. The current rate of progress shows that powerful enough quantum computers to challenge modern cryptography is still decades away but it has already triggered innovation.
Enter the Winternitz Vault, a new security tool for Solana users to protect their assets from potential threats and developers to future-proof their projects. Advanced and scalable infrastructure is also vital for Solana applications aiming for long-term resilience. Let’s look into both.

Key takeaways

The Solana Winternitz Vault is an implementation of the Winternitz One-Time Signature (WOTS) scheme optimized for use on the Solana blockchain.
The toolkit relies on well-tested, widely trusted hash-based cryptography, which is known to be fairly quantum-resistant.
It is not an officially adopted standard within the Solana ecosystem but can be used by developers or projects that prioritize strong security.

Why is quantum resistance important?

The security of blockchain networks relies on cryptography to ensure that the data recorded on the blockchain cannot be changed or faked.

Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), commonly used in blockchains like Bitcoin, Solana, and Ethereum, is one of the main methods to secure key generation and transaction signing. ECC is safe today because modern computers cannot reverse-engineer the private key from public keys.

Quantum computing, however, has introduced a wildcard: it could potentially crack these systems. While current quantum computers lack this power, researchers and developers are preparing for a world where that changes. Solana’s Winternitz Vault is one possible answer to that challenge.

What exactly is the Winternitz Vault?

The Solana Winternitz Vault is a program built by Dean Little for managing SOL accounts and transferring funds securely. It replaces ECC with Winternitz One-Time Signatures (WOTS) based on hash functions, which are much harder for quantum computers to crack. The Vault makes WOTS accessible and practical for use on Solana.

Why it works

WOTS can help ensure long-term security for Solana wallets and assets. This is how:

One-time use keys: Instead of using the same cryptographic key multiple times (like ECC), the Vault generates a new key pair for each transaction. This limits the attack surface.
Optimization: Keccak256 hashing (224-bit truncated) is used to derive key parts and verify signatures. The truncation helps keep transactions lightweight and within Solana’s instruction limits.
Hash-based security: Hashing is a one-way operation that is easy to compute by applying the hash repeatedly (e.g. 256 times) but practically impossible to reverse and find original values.
Efficient key management: The Winternitz Vault uses Merkle trees to store compressed hashes of public keys. Only a minimal amount of data is stored on-chain, saving space and costs.

Solana could transition to this or another post-quantum cryptographic method only if quantum computers become a real threat but for now, it’s another security option available.

Building future-proof Solana

For developers building on Solana, the Winternitz Vault is a practical security tool that happens to be resilient to potential quantum threats and therefore future-ready.

However, these measures are not enough if the application can’t scale effectively:

Handle increasing user demand;
Process transactions without downtime or bottlenecks;
Fetch data from Solana nodes without interruption.

GetBlock blockchain node API service provides a strong foundation for building scalable applications. But for projects that require even more speed, and reliability we’ve built Solana Pro – a next-generation RPC node solution to push the limits of Solana performance.

Image: GetBlock

With up to 1,000 RPS and 99.9% uptime, this premium dedicated Solana RPC delivers:

Blazing-fast data streaming (Yellowstone Geyser gRPC)
Seamless token & NFT management (Metaplex DAS)
DeFi API pipeline (Raydium, Jupiter & Jito integrations)

Whether you're building a high-frequency trading bot, a next-gen security protocol, or a DeFi aggregator, this service ensures your application runs without limits. Outrun the competition – Sign up for Solana Pro.

Top Solana Memecoins: What You Need to Know

GetBlock — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 16:25:46 +0000

Sometimes, memecoins are described as speculative and often low-quality tokens, with no other purpose than just speculate funds in attempts to earn something on price fluctuations. But still, many people love them. They are the representation of common memes on-chain, acting as robust community engagement tools. And of course, it’s possible to earn when their price fluctuates, although even in the best scenario such earnings are rarely large.

Still, Solana memes are fun, and that’s it! So, let’s dive deeper and explore top examples of them.

What are Solana memecoins?

They are cryptocurrency tokens created on the Solana blockchain, often inspired by internet culture, humor, or community-driven initiatives. These coins are typically developed for fun, to spread memes, or to foster engagement within online communities.

However, some memecoins are also created with the intent of speculative trading or capitalizing on viral trends. Their appeal lies in their lighthearted nature and potential for rapid value appreciation, though this is often accompanied by significant price volatility. It’s common for them to have 20–30% price growth per day, but it’s even more common to lose up to 90% per day, too.

Look, for example, at the BONK price fluctuation, one of the most successful memes.

Memecoins on Solana RPC are traded on decentralized exchanges (DEXs) and centralized platforms, with their prices frequently influenced by social media trends, community enthusiasm, and broader market conditions. While many lack intrinsic utility, their unpredictable nature and the excitement of meme culture make them popular among traders and crypto enthusiasts.

Why Solana is so good for them

Solana blockchain offers a good infrastructure for memes. Let’s look at its several advantages.

High-speed transactions: Solana can process thousands of transactions per second, ensuring quick trades and minimal delays.
Low transaction costs: The network's low fees make it affordable for developers to launch projects and for users to trade memecoins.
User-friendly tools: Platforms like Pump.fun simplify the creation and trading of meme assets, making it accessible for newcomers.

These features provide a fertile environment for memecoin projects to thrive. Additionally, Solana's scalability ensures that even during periods of high traffic—often seen during viral trends—the network remains efficient and reliable.

How you can use them

Memecoins on Solana can serve two primary purposes: speculative trading and community engagement.

Earning through price fluctuations: Traders often buy memecoins in the hope of profiting from their volatile price movements. While this can yield significant returns during bull markets, it also carries substantial risks due to the speculative nature of these assets.
Community engagement and fun: Beyond trading, memecoins foster a sense of belonging within online communities. Examples are ideas promotion, events organization, or rewards for participation. This aspect makes them appealing to those who value community over financial gain.

Ultimately, memecoins are more about embracing internet culture than practical utility, making them a unique facet of the cryptocurrency ecosystem. Also, you can always create your own memecoin on a private blockchain RPC node.

Top 10 Solana memecoins

Here is the list of top memes, based on their online popularity and value. They managed to retain decent prices even after the initial hype.

Bonk (BONK)
Pudgy Penguins (PENGU)
ai16z (AI16Z)
dogwifhat (WIF)
Fartcoin (FARTCOIN)
Gigachad (GIGA)
Popcat (POPCAT)
Peanut the Squirrel (PNUT)
cat in a dogs world (MEW)
Baby Doge Coin (BABYDOGE)

Let’s dive deeper into each of them.

Bonk (BONK)

Launched in December 2022, BONK is Solana’s most iconic dog-themed memecoin with a market cap of $2.1 billion as of early 2025. It features a deflationary model that reduces its initial supply of 100 trillion tokens through periodic burns. BONK has expanded across multiple blockchains and partnered with high-profile brands like Borussia Dortmund.

Pudgy Penguins (PENGU)

PENGU is tied to the popular Pudgy Penguins NFT collection. Introduced in December 2024 with a supply of 88.8 billion tokens, PENGU quickly gained traction due to its airdrops and integration into the NFT ecosystem. It recorded over $1 billion in trading volume within its first day.

ai16z (AI16Z)

AI16Z blends meme culture with AI-driven decentralized finance (DeFi). Launched in October 2024, this project allows token holders to participate in a DAO governed by an autonomous AI agent named "AI Marc Andreessen." Though still experimental, it explores innovative uses of AI in governance.

dogwifhat (WIF)

Inspired by a viral meme featuring a dog wearing a hat, WIF debuted in December 2023. Its fixed supply of 998 million tokens creates a sense of rarity. While its value largely depends on community enthusiasm, its playful origin has made it a favorite among meme lovers.

Fartcoin (FARTCOIN)

FARTCOIN emerged from an AI experiment in October 2024 as a humorous take on cryptocurrency. Despite its absurd premise, it briefly surpassed $1.5 billion in market cap in January 2025. Its appeal lies in its lighthearted community rather than any functional utility.

Gigachad (GIGA)

Gigachad celebrates meme culture with motivational themes and staking rewards. It was listed on major exchanges like Coinbase, boosting its visibility in late 2024. With collaborations and token burns enhancing scarcity, GIGA has become a standout project within Solana’s ecosystem.

Popcat (POPCAT)

Based on the viral "Popcat" meme, this token launched in December 2023 as an entry point for casual crypto users. Its simplicity and entertainment value have made it popular among newcomers who appreciate the lighter side of blockchain technology.
H3 Peanut the Squirrel (PNUT)
PNUT gained attention following a viral story about Peanut, a pet squirrel involved in a controversial incident. Launched in November 2024, its emotionally charged backstory and endorsements from figures like Elon Musk have solidified its position as a top Solana memecoin.

cat in a dogs world (MEW)

MEW caters to cat enthusiasts as an alternative to dog-themed coins like BONK. It leverages the internet's eternal "cats vs dogs" debate while building partnerships that enhance its brand recognition.

Baby Doge Coin (BABYDOGE)

Originally launched on BNB Smart Chain in 2021, BABYDOGE has since bridged to Ethereum and Solana. With features like staking and charitable initiatives for animal shelters, it combines meme culture with real-world impact.

Where to buy them?

Solana memecoins can be purchased on various platforms, depending on your aptitude. Let’s look at several examples.

Centralized exchanges (CEX): Popular exchanges like Binance and Coinbase list many top memecoins.
Decentralized exchanges (DEX): Platforms such as Raydium and Orca offer liquidity pools for trading Solana-based tokens, including memes.
Specialized tools: Applications like Pump.fun provide insights into new memecoin launches and have trading tools, too.
Trading bots: Tools like Jup.bot or BONKBot enable quick trading of Solana memecoins right in the Telegram messenger, but make sure to avoid scam copies of these services.

Thorough research is especially important in the case of memecoins trading due to their speculative nature.

Future of Solana memes

The future of Solana memecoins appears promising as they continue to drive network activity and attract new users to the blockchain ecosystem. While their speculative nature makes them controversial, they contribute significantly to community engagement and innovation within Solana’s ecosystem.

As new projects emerge and existing ones evolve, memecoins are likely to remain integral to Solana’s growth trajectory—offering both opportunities for traders and entertainment for crypto enthusiasts.

TRON network Testnet Differences: Nile vs Shasta vs Private Chain?

GetBlock — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:09:19 +0000

What are TRON network testnets?

Testnets are crucial for development on any blockchain and the TRON network is no exception.
To build the next big dApp on TRON, and deploy your smart contracts on mainnet, you first need to test everything on testnet. Mainnets and Testnets might have some differences in their logic and functioning, but the key difference, which most of you probably know about, is that the real tokens are not utilized, and can be gained on faucets!

Every blockchain has only one mainnet, which cannot be functional without a testnet. Different test networks can have different operations and purposes, some of them might even be built by the community.
TRON has 3 different testnets: Nile, Shasta, and the private network. You might be wondering what the difference is between them and which one should I use as a TRON developer? Let’s find out together with GetBlock!

What is the Nile testnet?

Built by the TRON community, the Nile test network is designed to meet all the innovative ideas, to create and test new features of TRON.
At its core, the Nile testnet is very stable, “just like the Nile river. However, it includes greater flexibility and tools. Initially, the code version was consistent with mainnet. But now, with the many new features added, it is running ahead.
The tools for working with the Nile testnet are pretty much the same as the mainnet. For example, you can deploy smart contracts on this testnet using the same methods as on the mainnet.
You can run the Nile testnet node locally or choose an easy way to connect to it with GetBlock. If node-running is not a hassle for you, you can find a config file for Nile and grab yourself a few testnet TRX here.

What is the Shasta testnet?

The Shasta testnet was developed by TRON’s RPC API provider - TronGrid. Its code version and parameters are fully compatible with the mainnet.
Unlike the Nile testnet, Shasta is focused on simplicity rather than flexibility and innovation. Shasta testnet doesn't support new nodes added to the network. So, you cannot run your own Shasta node nor use RPC providers like GetBlock. The only option to connect to Shasta is to use TronGrids API.

What is the TRON Private Chain?

If you’re a developer who never likes to go out of your local environment or have plans in mind to evolve the network; the TRON Private Chain (or a private network) is your best choice.
First of all TRON Private Chain is not really a testnet. The TRON Private Chain is a distinct private network that is completely separate from the TRON DAO. Running a private chain means you won’t just have your own private node, but a whole private network that you can customize and explore. However, it’s surely not an easy task.
To build a private network you’ll need to leverage several TRON addresses, at least one supernode run by various Super Representatives (SR) that are able to produce blocks, and several full nodes to synchronize blocks and broadcast transactions.

Which Testnet to use?

With that many different TRON testnets powered with different features, it should be easy to pick one according to your needs. But still, you might be wondering which testnet should I use?
If you’ve just started your TRON development journey, Shasta is your choice. It’s no hassle to connect, it's consistent with mainnet, and it’s perfect for testing simple smart contracts.
The Nile testnet is the next level. It’s still suitable for beginners with no hassle around running-nodes. If you connect with GetBlocks API, great stability is included. Additionally, it will handle all your innovative ideas on network improvement.
The TRON Private Chain is the option for true PROs, knowing what to do to change the game.

Solana Pro RPC with X2 Performance Launched by GetBlock

GetBlock — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 16:57:31 +0000

GetBlock, a top-tier Web3 infrastructure provider, announces the launch of its Solana Pro RPC node solution. Designed to deliver a groundbreaking level of performance and composability, Solana Pro outperforms traditional endpoints with its advanced capabilities.

Introducing GetBlock’s Solana Pro, the advanced RPC node package for Solana

Solana Pro, a specialized RPC node package for fast and seamless access to the Solana blockchain, is now available on the GetBlock platform. With Solana Pro, decentralized applications (dApps) can experience up to 2x faster interactions with Solana while leveraging a best-in-class suite of add-ons, indexes, and APIs.

Instead of the standard 300 requests per second (RPS), Solana Pro achieves 500+ RPS, with a dedicated cluster of 4+ nodes reaching performance levels of 1,000+ RPS. This solution is enhanced by a robust set of plugins, including Jito, Yellowstone Geyser gRPC, ORE mining clients, and more.

Moreover, Solana Pro provides GetBlock customers with direct access to data streams from Raydium and Jupiter, two of Solana’s leading DeFi protocols. This enables dApps to retrieve real-time data with exceptional efficiency and minimal latency

According to GetBlock CEO Arseniy Voitenko, Solana Pro is designed to address several challenges that Solana developers have faced in recent months:

First, this is a huge win for GetBlock. Finally, we’ve successfully overcome the hurdles associated with Solana’s infrastructure. We tried a whole ton of the configurations to be sure that our solution is the most resource-effective one. Solana Pro benefits from all the hard-won lessons GetBlock gained deploying and maintaining Solana full nodes. Speaking about self-hosted nodes, by no means is Solana node management friendly. As such, feel free to try our private RPC node APIs. And last but not least — brace yourself for the archive Solana Pro release since it is exactly what our team is laser-focused on right now

The Solana Pro package can be set up and activated via the GetBlock account in a couple of clicks. Users are welcome to compose perfect RPC solutions for their applications on Solana in a modular Lego-like manner.

GetBlock’s Solana Pro: What’s under the hood?

Besides industry-leading 500+ RPS throughput and 99,9% uptime, Solana Pro comes with a wide range of extra solutions for Solana nodes access:

Yellowstone Geyser gRPC plugin, a lightweight data access instrument;
Metaplex Digital Asset Standard (DAS) API for streamlined management of Solana’s tokens including coins and NFTs.
Unique API/SDK accessible: Jito fork of Solana’s validator for maximum MEV optimization, ORE software for mining the only Proof-of-Work crypto in SOL ecosystem;

Besides that, the new package offers streamlined access to Raydium and Jupiter APIs. With these tools, dApps can automatically retrieve data from largest Solana’s DeFis with ultra-low latency.

GetBlock’s Solana Pro RPC is our response to the feedback from our customers. The demand for extremely powerful Solana access is rapidly becoming a reality.

Maximum accessibility, unmatched customization: Getting started with Solana Pro

To start using Solana Pro, GetBlock users can simply sign in to their accounts and navigate to the Dedicated Nodes dashboard. From there, follow these steps:

Select Solana Pro Mainnet as the desired network.
Configure your node by choosing:

Node class (full node; archive Solana Pro is coming soon).

Indexes configurations (e.g., SPL Token Mint, SPL Token Owner).

API interfaces (e.g., JSON RPC, WebSockets).

Add-ons (e.g., Yellowstone Geyser gRPC, DAS API).

Proceed to the Checkout screen to review the node details and confirm the configuration.
Complete the setup via the payments module.

Deployment of a Solana Pro dedicated node solution takes approximately 10 days, depending on the specific configurations requested. Long-term plans also come with exclusive discounts, making Solana Pro an affordable choice for scalable blockchain projects.

GetBlock is proud to offer Solana Pro RPC nodes to its customers. This launch reaffirms our dedication to building the most powerful, ready-made Web3 infrastructure tools for the next generation of dApps.

Whether you’re a DeFi protocol, an NFT marketplace, or any other Solana-based application, Solana Pro ensures you have the performance, flexibility, and reliability to succeed in the competitive blockchain ecosystem.

Black Friday Promo Now Live GetBlock: Claim Your 30% Off

GetBlock — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 12:58:24 +0000

The wait is over! GetBlock’s most exciting Black Friday promotion is here, offering an exclusive 30% discount on RPC node packages for new and existing users. This limited-time offer runs from November 25 to December 2, 2024, so act fast to take advantage!

Black Friday coming to GetBlock: What’s Included in the Offer?

Starting today, November 25, 2024, GetBlock, a premium RPC node provider and Web3 infrastructure platform, is welcoming all its users to join Black Friday promo event. Whether you’re a new user or experienced Getblockian, we have something for you to offer.

For New Users:

Enjoy 30% off all shared node packages, including both limited and unlimited plans.
This is the perfect time to explore GetBlock’s robust Web3 infrastructure and find the plan that fits your goals. The discount applies to your first month!

For Existing Users:

Save big with 30% off on packages for 6, 9, or 12 months. Whether you’re scaling your app or maintaining a high-demand dApp, this offer ensures your projects stay powered and efficient. No promo codes. No reposts or retweets. Just log in to your GetBlock account, select your desired plan, and enjoy 30% off instantly!

But hurry — this offer ends on Monday, December 2, 2024.

Starting December 3, all packages will return to regular pricing.

Why choose GetBlock RPC node provider?

By joining GetBlock Black Friday 2024 promo, you get an opportunity to fuel your dApps with one of the most powerful RPC node services in Web3:

50+ blockchain protocols available
Unlimited endpoints on any plan, for any chain (yes, you got it right!)
Up to 300 RPS
Fiat or crypto payments
Up to 99,99% uptime Besides the annual Black Friday frenzy, this promo is our own way to celebrate the bull run in crypto all of us have been waiting for since Q4 2021. With crypto services booming, this discount on RPC nodes is the perfect opportunity to scale your dApp with GetBlock

Since 2019, GetBlock has been a trusted Web3 infrastructure provider, offering access to 40+ blockchain nodes via API. Whether you’re building a DeFi platform, Web3 game, or another blockchain-powered app, our premium RPC nodes are here to help you scale seamlessly.

Act now: Sign up to GetBlock, and grab you 30% off on Black Friday!

Who is Pump.fun For? A Beginner’s Guide to Creating Memecoins on Solana

GetBlock — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 15:04:08 +0000

For anyone new to blockchain, the complexity can be daunting. Launching a token, for example, usually involves smart contract coding skills, liquidity pool setup, and handling RPC node connection.

Pump.fun changes the game by letting anyone launch memecoins on Solana with just a few clicks, no tech skills required. Here’s a quick look at what Pump.fun is, how it works, and what we know so far about its upcoming airdrop.

What is Pump.fun?

Pump.fun is a Solana-based platform tailored to the memecoin market that makes it easy for anyone to create their own tokens or "memecoins," even if they don’t have technical skills or substantial financial resources.

All you need to do is connect your Solana wallet, and with a few steps, your own meme token is live on the blockchain. So, people who might have been left out before—like beginners or those without technical skills—now have a user-friendly way to launch their own digital assets.

Image: Pump.fun

Since launching in January 2024, nearly 3 billion tokens were created on Pump.fun, bringing in over $160 billion in cumulative revenue.

Here’s a quick snapshot of some of its biggest moments:

May 2024: Attracted high-profile celebrities, turning the platform into a hotspot for “celebrity memecoin season;”
August 2024: Faced a decline in user activity that coincided with the launch of competing platforms on TRON, BNB Chain, and other networks;
October 2024: Made a comeback by launching Pump Advanced, an enhanced trading terminal offering zero fees for new users, reigniting interest in the platform.

Renewed interest also surged after Pump.fun’s anonymous co-founder Sapijiju hinted at an upcoming airdrop. While details on eligibility and timing are not yet confirmed, the airdrop is already generating excitement and could become one of the most anticipated events in the memecoin space.

How to launch a memecoin on Pump.fun

Creating a coin on Pump.fun is as simple as filling out a form. Here’s a quick walkthrough:

Link your Solana wallet to the platform.
Click “Start a New Coin,” enter basic details like the coin’s name and ticker. You can upload an image or video.
Once you hit “Create Coin,” the coin is live and available for trading.

Image: Pump.fun

What happens after launch

After launching, every Pump.fun project follows a similar path:

Each coin created has a fixed supply of 1 billion tokens and a starting market cap of about $5,000.
Prices automatically increase as more people buy in, following a bonding curve model, which benefits early participants the most.
Once a coin raises around $69,000 in market cap, it earns an automatic listing on Raydium, a top decentralized exchange on Solana.
Around $12,000 worth of tokens are added to Raydium. The liquidity provider (LP) tokens are then burned, which prevents anyone from taking out the liquidity.

From there, it ‘graduates” from PumFun and is available to a larger audience with more options for trading. Currently, only around 1.3% of memecoins reach this milestone, so it’s a big achievement for creators.

Pump.fun fees

The platform aims to make launching memecoins on the Solana blockchain affordable, so its fee structure is designed to minimize costs for creators:

Pump.fun charges creators no fees to launch their tokens since August 2024;
The first buyer pays a one-time fee of 0.2 SOL when purchasing a newly launched token;
Users pay a trading fee of up to 1% on transactions inside the app;
For tokens that complete the bonding curve model and achieve enough interest to list on Raydium, Pump.fun charges a service fee of 2.3 SOL from the raised capital.

Beyond that, Pump.fun provides several incentives to encourage user engagement: token creators who achieve the bonding curve threshold earn a 0.5 SOL reward.

Additionally, the new Pump Advanced terminal, launched in October 2024, offers 0% trading fees for the first month.

Pros and cons of using Pump.fun

Pump.fun simplifies Solana memecoin creation, even for those without coding skills. However, there are significant risks to consider.

Benefits

Easy and low-cost launch for memecoins, even for non-coders
No insider advantages
More accurate reflection of market interest with the bonding curve pricing
Early access to new memecoins
Potential airdrop rewards

Risks

High-risk trading environment
The low entry barrier can increase the risk of potential fraud
The platform exploit in May 2024 exposed security weaknesses, raising concerns about future breaches
The platform isn’t open-source, which limits transparency

Overall, Pump.fun provides accessible entry points into the memecoin market but demands caution due to inherent risks, especially for inexperienced traders.

In summary: Who is Pump.fun for?

Pump.fun offers a unique opportunity for anyone curious about creating or trading memecoins. With minimal cost and no technical barriers, it’s perfect for creators who want to experiment with token launches and maybe even see their project gain traction. Traders, however, should approach it with caution, as memecoin investments are risky by nature.

With applications like Pump.fun, taking care of the technical side of token creation, launching memecoins has never been easier. However, developers ready to scale further or build and more complex blockchain applications still need a reliable infrastructure.

GetBlock is one of the services that offers one-click access to RPC nodes on 50+ blockchains, including Solana. Plus, new users can take advantage of a free package or a special offer for their first Shared Nodes subscription. Build with confidence with GetBlock’s time-tested and high-speed infrastructure!

What is Sepolia? A Beginner’s Guide to Ethereum Test Networks

GetBlock — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 16:20:14 +0000

Once a smart contract is deployed on the Ethereum blockchain, its code becomes immutable, meaning developers cannot make modifications or fix bugs without redeploying. To address this challenge, Ethereum has testnet RPC nodes — where developers can connect to safely test and debug smart contracts before launching on the mainnet.

In this guide, we explore the Sepolia testnet — what it is, how it works, and how to connect to it.

What is Sepolia?

Sepolia is a test network for Ethereum launched in 2021 that operates independently of the main network (mainnet) but closely simulates its conditions.

Key features:

Ease of access
Free to use
Serves to run realistic tests

It provides decentralized application and developer tooling builders with an environment for testing their solutions before moving to the Ethereum mainnet.

How Ethereum Sepolia works

The test network mirrors the mainnet’s functionality, including transaction processing, block production, and smart contract deployment.

It lets developers see how their code will behave in a live environment: estimate gas usage, deployment costs, test how applications interact with other services, and process different transaction types.
The testnet has its own block explorers that allow users to view on-chain data specific to Sepolia.
It used to test protocol upgrades and hard forks (like upcoming Pectra) before they go live on mainnet so developers can test how these changes affect dApps and smart contracts.
Supported by popular Ethereum development frameworks and tools like Remix, Hardhat, and Foundry, it makes the transition from testing to development easy.

Developers can interact with Sepolia using testnet Ethereum RPC (Remote Procedure Call) endpoints, similar to how they would on the mainnet.

What is Sepolia ETH?

Sepolia uses test Ether (ETH) which serves the same purpose as ETH on the mainnet but has no actual value. Developers can request test ETH from faucets that provide them for free.

These tokens allow developers to interact with the network as they would on the mainnet — sending transactions, paying for gas fees, deploying contracts, and more.

Ethereum Layer 2 Sepolia networks

Layer-2 (L2) networks work on top of Ethereum and have their own test networks linked to Ethereum’s Sepolia testnet.

Base Sepolia
Arbitrum Sepolia
Optimism Sepolia
Scroll Sepolia

By using these Sepolia-based testnets, developers can simulate interactions between Ethereum’s main network (Layer 1) and L2 chains, which closely replicate real-world conditions.

Sepolia vs other Ethereum Testnets

Every few years, Ethereum introduces a new ‘sandbox’ network to keep the testing environment fresh and stable, preventing performance issues over time.

With the recent deprecation of Goerli, Ethereum now maintains two primary testnets: Sepolia and Holesky. Let’s compare the three.

Sepolia vs Holesky

Introduced in 2023, Holesky replaced Goerli as the primary testnet for staking tests. It operates on Proof of Stake (PoS) meaning that anyone without restriction can become a validator by staking test tokens, similar to how Ethereum’s mainnet works.

Sepolia, on the other hand, is optimized for application testing. It is secured by a closed validator set, where a few trusted validators are responsible for processing transactions. This is done to provide a stable and controlled environment for testing.

Sepolia vs Goerli

Before Sepolia, Goerli was the go-to testnet for Ethereum developers to deploy and test applications, as it allowed full testing of both its consensus and execution layers. However, in January 2024, Goerli was deprecated and is no longer in sync with the Ethereum ecosystem.

Sepolia has become the default testnet for Ethereum developers. It provides a near-mainnet testing environment without the issues Goerli faced, such as excessive historical records, high resource demands, and speculative trading of Goerli ETH.

In other words, developers rely on Sepolia as Ethereum’s primary testnet.

Why use Sepolia?

Here’s why developers choose Sepolia:

Active maintenance: Supported long-term by the community, Sepolia provides a stable, reliable environment that evolves alongside Ethereum protocol updates.
Long-term support: Sepolia is here to stay at least till 2026, allowing developers to run tests on applications over an extended period.
Accessible test ETH: Sepolia ETH is abundantly available through faucets, which distribute tokens for free and prevent the speculative problems. With that, Sepolia offers a reliable, low-risk environment for testing blockchain-based applications and interactions.

How to connect to Sepolia testnet

To connect to Sepolia and start using it, follow these two steps:

Retrieve a Sepolia network node RPC URL
Fund the wallet with test tokens

GetBlock, a blockchain infrastructure service, simplifies the process by providing the necessary resources and tools.

Here’s how to connect MetaMask to Ethereum Sepolia testnet using GetBlock’s free endpoints and a faucet:

Sign up on GetBlock to generate your personal JSON-RPC URL for Sepolia.
Manually add Sepolia to MetaMask by adding the correct network parameters.

Network: Ethereum Sepolia Testnet

RPC URL: https://go.getblock.io/ACCESS_TOKEN

Chain ID: 11155111

Currency: SepoliaETH

Explorer: https://sepolia.etherscan.io

Use GetBlock’s testnet faucet to get 0.1 SepoliaETH to start using the added network.

Follow these same steps to connect to Layer 2 Sepolia testnets, if needed.

Conclusion

In short, Sepolia is a must have tool for developers who want to make sure their smart contracts are reliable and efficient before deploying to the Ethereum mainnet. For blockchain users, especially, beginners, it gives an opportunity to interact with blockchain before risking real money.

Gem Wallet: A Multi-Chain Wallet for Crypto and DeFi

GetBlock — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 16:23:43 +0000

Web3 infrastructure comprises many interconnected elements—dApps, smart contracts, RPC nodes – all working together to create decentralized services. Wallets, however, are one of the most important. They are how users interact with blockchains, manage assets, and use decentralized applications. Choosing a reliable wallet is always the first step.

There are many options available, so what makes Gem Wallet stand out? Let’s explore.

What is Gem Wallet?

Gem Wallet is a self-custodial wallet app that helps users manage their cryptocurrencies. You can send and receive coins, tokens, and NFTs, as well as interact with DeFi platforms.

Gem Wallet offers several benefits:

Multi-chain support: It works with over 30 blockchains, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, TON, and more.
Self-custody: Only users control their private keys and can access their assets—no third party, including Gem Wallet, can interfere.
Open-source: The code is available on GitHub, so anyone can check it, verify, or contribute to improving it.

Ultimately, Gem Wallet is an application that allows users to securely interact with cryptocurrencies and the Web3 ecosystem while maintaining control over their privacy and security.

Key Features

Gem Wallet is available on both iOS and Android. It does not require personal information for setup or usage. If you use wallets like MetaMask or Phantom, you can import them into Gem Wallet and manage everything in one place.

Image: Gem Wallet iOS Application

Aside from being a tool for storing cryptocurrencies, it also offers additional DeFi functionality:

Real-Time price updates: The app integrates with CoinGecko to show live prices for all assets and send alerts for price changes;
Buy crypto: Gem Wallet partners with services like Mercuryo and Ramp to make it easy to purchase crypto using regular payment methods like credit cards;
Swap tokens: The application lets users trade different cryptocurrencies directly in the wallet. The swap feature currently supports 12 blockchains, focusing primarily on stablecoins;
Staking: Crypto holders can choose which validator to delegate their tokens to and stake assets like SOL, BNB, INJ, and TRX through the wallet, simplifying the process of earning rewards;
WalletConnect Integration: Gem Wallet can be used to access dApps and securely interact with them across multiple supported networks;
Custom RPC Support: It allows configuring custom RPC endpoints, offering more control over blockchain connections. Services like GetBlock provide access to private, high-performance RPC endpoints that can be easily added in the app.

Image: GetBlock, Gem Wallet

The app’s clean, user-friendly interface combines essential crypto features with advanced functionalities, making it especially suitable for beginners.

Is Gem Wallet Secure?

Gem Wallet is a non-custodial cryptocurrency wallet that is considered one of the safest ways to store crypto.

Unlike custodial wallets (such as those provided by exchanges like Binance or Coinbase), Gem Wallet gives users full control over their accounts. The app generates and stores private keys directly on the crypto holder’s device, not on external servers, meaning that even the wallet provider can't access the stored assets.

However, because it is non-custodial, the level of security depends heavily on the security of the user's device and how well the user handles their private keys and recovery phrases. Remember: if you lose your private keys or forget your recovery phrase, you lose access to your funds permanently.

Conclusion: Why Use Gem Wallet?

Gem Wallet offers a secure, multi-chain solution with support for over 30 blockchains, combining ease of use, privacy protection, and transparency through open-source code. If you're new to crypto or an experienced DeFi user, Gem Wallet provides the tools to store, trade, and stake assets without leaving the app.

To make the wallet even more efficient, integrate with GetBlock for reliable RPC access to 50+ blockchains. Sign up for a free account today or take advantage of exclusive discounts on private nodes while the offer lasts. Improve the performance, speed, and connectivity when interacting with various blockchain networks!

MATIC Transitions to POL: Key Insights for Polygon Users

GetBlock — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 11:50:03 +0000

Just a month ago, Polygon made a big move by transitioning its token from MATIC to POL. This upgrade is not just a name change; it’s a step toward making the Polygon ecosystem and infrastructure more scalable and interoperable.

In this article, we’ll break down what this shift from MATIC to POL means for users and developers and how it aligns with Polygon’s broader vision for the future

Key Takeaways

As part of Polygon’s 2.0 roadmap, the network’s main token was changed from MATIC to POL on September 4, 2024.
POL (Polygon Ecosystem Token) replaced MATIC as the native gas and staking token for the Polygon PoS network.
The upgrade is 1:1, meaning MATIC holders receive the same amount of POL. POL maintains all MATIC functions but comes with more advanced features and a flexible supply model.
The migration is seamless for most users and automatic on many centralized exchanges.

Why the Switch from MATIC to POL?

Polygon’s journey began in 2017 as a project called Matic. In 2020, it launched a sidechain to help scale Ethereum. By 2021, Matic was rebranded as Polygon, while keeping MATIC as the name of the native token.

Since then, Polygon has evolved into one of the largest Web3 ecosystems, introducing new innovations to further improve Ethereum’s scalability using Zero-Knowledge (ZK) Proof technology.

Polygon is now advancing with its Polygon 2.0 roadmap, which aims to create a more interconnected ecosystem with different chains within Polygon to communicate and work together seamlessly.

The major components of this future ecosystem are:

Polygon zkEVM: A ZK rollup compatible with Ethereum.
zkEVM Validium: An upgraded version of the Polygon’s PoS chain powered by ZK technology.
ZK-powered networks built with Polygon’s Chain Development Kit (CDK). MATIC was originally designed to support and secure the Polygon PoS chain alone, but now Polygon is expanding to connect multiple chains and products. This creates the need for a next-generation token, like POL, that can work across all these chains.

MATIC to POL Migration

The shift from MATIC to POL was initiated with PIP-17 (Polygon Improvement Proposal), suggesting to increase the utility and governance features of the network’s native token.

Three smart contracts manage the migration process:

Polygon Ecosystem Token Contract: An ERC-20 token contract;
Migration Contract: Handles the 1:1 swap of MATIC to POL, with an option to reverse the migration under certain conditions;
Default Emission Manager: Creates new POL tokens with a 2% annual emission rate for the next 10 years. With all contracts deployed, the official transition happened on September 4, 2024.

The new POL token can be found at the following contract address: 0x455e53CBB86018Ac2B8092FdCd39d8444aFFC3F6.

What is POL Token?

POL has taken over from MATIC and is now the main token for the Polygon PoS chain. It serves the same purposes — paying transaction fees, staking, and governance — but is designed to support more functions.

POL vs. MATIC: What’s Different?

Generally speaking, POL offers more utility than MATIC:

POL supports multiple chains, unlike MATIC, which was tied to a single chain;
Token holders can participate across different Polygon-powered chains through the Staking Layer;
POL adopts a dynamic emission model, while MATIC had a fixed supply;
New tokens are issued as rewards for validators securing the ecosystem and to fund the community treasury.

Image by Polygon

How to Convert MATIC to POL

The process for switching from MATIC to POL depends on where and on which network the tokens are stored:

Staked tokens: No action needed;
Tokens on Ethereum or Polygon zkEVM: Manual swap through the Migration Contract on Polygon Portal;
MATIC on Centralized Exchanges: For most major exchanges the conversion is automatic and no action is needed;
Tokens on Polygon PoS: Automatic conversion, but users may need to manually update their wallet’s settings. If you need to manually update your wallet’s RPC settings to reflect the new POL token, try GetBlock, which provides RPC endpoints for over 50 blockchain networks.

Here’s how:

Visit the GetBlock.io website and create an account;
Find the Polygon network on your user dashboard;
Create a free JSON-RPC URL;
In your crypto wallet (MetaMask), go to the Polygon mainnet settings;
Update the RPC URL and change the currency name to POL.

This ensures your wallet reflects the correct POL token. As a bonus, custom Polygon RPC is more reliable, especially when network traffic is high.

Image from MetaMask

By creating a free GetBlock account, you can try out custom RPC solutions for improved performance and reliability, especially useful for developers looking for seamless interaction with the Polygon network.

Don’t miss the limited-time opportunity to cut infrastructure costs: Get 30% off your first Shared Nodes subscription with GetBlock. Sign up now and gain access to 50+ blockchains.

Summary

The transition from MATIC to POL is a necessary step for Polygon’s growth. With POL, the network becomes more powerful and interconnected, setting the stage for its next phase of development. POL holders will have new opportunities to participate and help secure the network’s future.

Back to School, Extended: 30% Off on GetBlock Shared Nodes

GetBlock — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 09:11:55 +0000

You asked, we delivered: GetBlock, a premium RPC nodes provider, is re-launching a 30% discount for all new customers of shared nodes. Newcomers should pay for the first paid package within seven days after signup.

GetBlock’s shared RPC nodes promo: 30% off for new accounts

Starting from September 2024, GetBlock, a flagship RPC node provider and Web3 infrastructure platform, is holding the second iteration of its most successful promo. All new users can get every shared node package with a 30% discount.

The promo kicks off again with no special requirements for applicants. The rules are that simple: to join the campaign, you just need to sign up and get your first package in seven days maximum.

Customers of free tariffs are also welcome. Both limited and unlimited shared node packages are available within the promo campaign.

Shared node packages are GetBlock’s entry-level offering. Being suitable for the vast majority of use-cases, they can significantly reduce infrastructure costs for any dApp or crypto application.

For further details, please, always refer to the official webpage of our amazing promo.

Best way to save: Two discounts are better than one

While activating promo accounts for unlimited shared node packages, users can enjoy two discounts together.

For instance, here’s how to save a whopping 40% on unlimited RPC nodes right now:

Regular price (1 month, no promo): 449 USD
Discounted price (12 months, promo offer applies): 279 USD

In a similar way, you can get discounted accounts using every of our subscriptions, i.e. 3-, 6-, 9-, 12-month tariffs. Once the promo ends, the discounted package will still be working.

GetBlock 30% is the best possible way to give a proper spin to the bull run flywheel.

Cardano’s Chang Hard Fork: What You Need to Know

GetBlock — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 16:02:00 +0000

Cardano officially kicked off a major upgrade with the Chang hard fork on September 1, 2024. This marks the beginning of the network’s transition to full community governance in the Voltaire era.

Here's a quick breakdown of the changes, what they mean for ADA holders, Cardano developers, and node operators, and how to prepare for what’s coming next.

Key Points

The Chang hard fork sets the stage for Cardano’s community-driven governance.
The upgrade not only introduces a shift in governance but also delivers key technical improvements that will impact developers building on the Cardano ecosystem.
The Chang upgrade is split into two phases (Chang #1 and Chang #2), with the full activation happening after the second phase, around December 2024
After Chang, ADA holders will have full control over the network’s future direction

What Does Chang Hard Fork Mean for Cardano?

The Chang hard fork is a major upgrade to the Cardano blockchain, launched on September 1, 2024.
Unlike earlier hard forks focused on areas like scalability (Vasil) or smart contracts functionality (Alonzo), its primary goal is to shift control of the network’s governance from a few centralized entities to the broader Cardano community. This change allows ADA holders to vote on key decisions, like network upgrades and treasury management.

In addition to governance changes, the Chang hard fork also includes technical improvements. These upgrades help developers create better smart contracts and increase the network's interoperability with other blockchains like Ethereum.
The fork is named after and honors Phil Chang, a key figure in Cardano’s governance design, a part of the larger Voltaire era, which aims for full decentralization of the ecosystem.

Technical Upgrades

The fork includes performance upgrades to Cardano’s smart contract platform Plutus, allowing better interoperability with other networks. It also improves the efficiency and speed of dApp development.
What’s new in Plutus V3:

Keccak-256: Opens the door to cross-chain interoperability between Cardano and Ethereum-based projects;
BLS12-381: Makes Cardano more suitable for privacy-focused applications, zero-knowledge proofs, sidechains, and rollups;
Blake2b-224: Enhances security and enables more optimized smart contract execution;
Sums of Products (SOPs): Introduces a cheaper and smaller way to encode data types for more compact resource-efficient dApps, further lowering execution costs;
Bitwise Primitives: Allows low-level data manipulation, including converting integers to byte strings for Plutus scripts to work with arbitrary data types in a more flexible way.

These new cryptographic primitives and improvements to Plutus allow for more efficient execution of smart contracts, reducing script sizes and execution costs by up to 30% while also making cross-chain dApps more viable.

Governance Overhaul

The Chang hard fork activates governance features from CIP-1694, laying the foundation for decentralized decision-making. The Cardano community will now have a larger role in decision-making, divided into three key roles:

Constitutional Committee (CC)
Stake Pool Operators (SPOs)
Delegate Representatives (DReps)

Post-fork, ADA holders and developers will be able to submit their own governance proposals, which the community can vote on. This opens the door for more user and developer-focused improvements to the network.

How to Prepare for Chang Phase 2: Steps for ADA Holders and Developers

Once the final phase (Chang #2, expected by the end of the year) is complete, the community will control all major governance decisions, including treasury allocations and protocol upgrades. No special action is required from ADA holders, but to participate in governance, they can register as DReps via a compatible wallet or delegate their voting power to others.

ADA Wallets with Governance Feature Support. Source: Intersect

Developers should ensure that their tools and infrastructure are compatible with the latest versions:

Cardano Node v9.1.0 and v9.1.1: New node versions with fill support of post-fork features;
Developer tooling, libraries, and frameworks updated for compatibility with the new Plutus and cryptographic features.

This means developers running their own nodes need to update to maintain network synchronization and compatibility. With GetBlock, you don’t need to worry about node management, maintenance, or synchronization issues.

GetBlock provides Cardano RPC nodes that are always updated to the latest versions, ensuring that you can continue building and deploying decentralized applications seamlessly. Take advantage of the free trial to experience hassle-free development on Cardano and more than 50 other blockchain protocols. Sign up today and focus on building, while GetBlock takes care of the infrastructure.