Google Cloud Releases Ethereum-Compatible Blockchain RPC Service

Google Cloud has launched a new blockchain remote procedure call (RPC) service designed to support web3 development. An RPC is a software communication protocol that one program uses to request a service from another program located on a different computer and network.

This RPC service will make it easier for crypto developers to interact with blockchain data and bolster the reliability of decentralized applications (DApps). It enables developers to access blockchain data and functionality via API calls and is compatible with the Ethereum JSON-RPC standard, which would allow crypto developers to integrate it into Ethereum-based DApps with a single line of code.

Initially, Google Cloud's "Blockchain RPC" service will support the Ethereum mainnet and its test networks, with plans to expand to additional blockchain networks over the next year, Google Cloud said in a blog post on September 17.

The service is designed to cater to a wide range of users, from startups needing a straightforward entry into blockchain technology to large enterprises requiring a robust, high-performance infrastructure. It will compete with other RPC providers like Infura, Alchemy, QuickNode, and Ankr, which offer blockchain interaction without the need for full node operation.

Google Cloud has introduced a free service tier that permits up to 100 requests per second, suitable for real-time and data-intensive applications, with support for EIP-1474 — a defined set of RPC methods for Ethereum nodes.

In addition to this new service, Google Cloud already offers other blockchain-related infrastructure, including node hosting and data analytics for various blockchains such as Ethereum, Solana, and Aptos.