How RPCs Keep Blockchains Alive

In this article, we explain what RPCs are, how they power decentralized applications, how they differ across ecosystems, and how OnFinality ensures that Web3 stays connected through their reliable and scalable RPCs

Every blockchain relies on one invisible hero, the RPC.Without it, your dApp would not be able to read data, send transactions, or even communicate with the blockchain.

What is an RPC in Blockchain

RPC stands for Remote Procedure Call. It is the communication layer that allows an application to interact with a blockchain node.

When you click "Swap" on a Uniswap (a decentralised exchange) or "Stake" on Lido (staking provider), your wallet sends an RPC request to a blockchain node. The node receives that request, executes the command on-chain, and returns a response.

In simple terms, RPCs are the bridge between the blockchain’s backend and your application’s frontend.

Without this bridge, your wallet balance could not update, your transactions would not confirm, and your dApp would stop functioning.

How RPCs Power Every dApp

Here is what happens step by step:

The user interacts with the dApp (for example, clicking "Swap").
The dApp prepares a transaction and sends it via an RPC call to a node.
The node validates and broadcasts the transaction to the blockchain network.
The result (transaction hash or confirmation) is returned to the dApp through the same RPC layer.

This constant communication keeps your dApp responsive and synchronized with the blockchain.

OnFinality RPCs Across Different Blockchain Ecosystems

Not all blockchains process RPC calls the same way. Each ecosystem has its own architecture and requirements.

Ethereum and EVM Chains (Base, Arbitrum, Polygon)

These networks use the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) to execute smart contracts. RPCs here follow a standardized JSON-RPC format, making it easier for developers to build and integrate across multiple EVM-compatible chains.

Polkadot and Substrate Networks

Polkadot uses a Substrate-based RPC layer that includes chain-specific methods through custom pallets. This allows networks built on Substrate to expose additional RPC endpoints tailored to their functionality, such as accessing parachain or relay chain data.

Solana

Solana uses the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM), which supports parallel transaction execution. Its RPC framework is optimized to handle large volumes of simultaneous requests, supporting Solana’s high throughput design.

Astar Network

Astar supports multi-VM compatibility, allowing both EVM and WASM (WebAssembly) smart contracts to run on the same network. This flexibility requires RPC endpoints that can process different types of execution environments efficiently.

Cosmos Ecosystem

Cosmos networks use the Tendermint consensus engine, where RPC calls allow developers to query blockchain state, broadcast transactions, and interact with modules across interconnected app chains enabling seamless communication within the Cosmos Hub and its zones.

Each ecosystem handles transactions, state changes, and calls differently. That is why RPC providers like OnFinality must fine-tune performance and reliability to meet each network’s specific demands.

Why RPC Reliability and Latency Matter

When RPCs slow down or go offline, users notice immediately.

A single RPC outage can lead to:

Failed token swaps
Delayed staking confirmations
Frozen dashboards or analytics

These failures do more than interrupt transactions; they erode user trust. In Web3, reliability and speed directly influence adoption.

To ensure stability, Onfinality focus on three key principles:

Uptime: Continuous availability of node connectivity for dApps.
Latency: Rapid response times even during traffic surges.
Scalability: The ability to handle thousands of requests simultaneously.

Reliable RPCs mean developers can deliver seamless user experiences regardless of network load.

Common Questions about RPC

What is an RPC in blockchain?

RPC (Remote Procedure Call) is the communication layer that allows decentralized applications (dApps) to interact with blockchain nodes enabling actions like reading data, sending transactions, and fetching balances.

How do I connect to an RPC endpoint?

You can connect by copying the RPC URL from your provider (like OnFinality) and pasting it into your wallet, dApp, or SDK configuration. Once added, your application can send and receive blockchain requests through that endpoint.

Why is RPC reliability important for dApps?

Reliable RPCs ensure that users can interact with blockchains without delays, errors, or failed transactions. Poor RPC reliability can cause failed swaps, missing balances, and an overall bad user experience.

How does RPC latency affect blockchain performance?

RPC latency determines how fast a blockchain node responds to requests. High latency can delay transaction confirmations and slow down dApp responsiveness, while low-latency RPCs like OnFinality’s ensure smooth real-time updates.

Final Thoughts

RPCs are essential for keeping blockchains functional and connected. As more dApps and networks emerge, reliable and scalable RPC infrastructure becomes critical for smooth on-chain interaction. OnFinality provides developers with the speed, stability, and scalability needed to keep Web3 applications running seamlessly across multiple ecosystems.

Need support or want to scale your project with OnFinality RPC? Reach out at support@onfinality.io or connect with us on Telegram to start building the next generation of Web3 dApps.

About OnFinality

At OnFinality, we ensure the backbone of Web3 applications stays strong and reliable.

We provide enterprise-grade RPC endpoints, APIs, and node infrastructure for more than 130 blockchain networks including Avalanche, BNB Chain, Cosmos, Polkadot, Ethereum, and Polygon.

Our infrastructure is optimized for scale and performance:

99.99% uptime across all networks
Billions of RPC requests processed daily
Distributed global nodes for low-latency access
Automated node deployment for testnet and mainnet environments
Real-time indexing and monitoring for developers
Scaling of RPC with increased load

By managing the infrastructure layer, OnFinality allows builders to focus entirely on their products and innovation.Learn more about how OnFinality supports blockchain builders at onfinality.io.