TL;DR Why this Matters Lava integrates the NEAR RPC module Get paid as a NEAR node operator Get paid through other Incentivized Public RPC Keep up with the latest on Lava Network

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Lava Foundation will partner with NEAR Foundation on Incentivized Public RPC

Incentivized Public RPC

Ethan

Jan 8, 2024

tl;dr

Lava Foundation is bringing Incentivized Public RPC to NEAR and adding the NEAR RPC module to Lava Network. This means node operators can now join Lava, serve RPC and get paid over a minimum of 6 months.

Node operators, start onboarding today to be immediately eligible for payments when we launch the endpoint to developers later in January.

Why this matters

Lava Network is a modular data network for scaling access to any blockchain. Our key values are scalability and flexibility.
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We built Lava to offer blockchains, rollups and apps the most flexible and performant data infrastructure. Wildly varied and fragmented data services across chains means developers cannot freely innovate where they would like. Lava lets developers build whatever, wherever.

Similarly, NEAR has pioneered the concept of chain-abstraction, building a unified user interface which seamlessly connects you to any decentralized application on any blockchain. For this vision to be fully realized, data infrastructure - specifically, RPC - must be chain-agnostic too.

Recent issues with inscriptions also caused many chains to be unusuable. This is not down to the blockchains themselves - NEAR did not go down. It is due to external infrastructure providers that remain vulnerable points in the blockchain stack and are nowhere near ready to scale. Lava is supporting NEAR with this problem.

Node operators can now join Lava to scale NEAR RPC demand, get paid and offer users the fastest and most reliable service.

Lava integrates the NEAR RPC module

At its core, Lava is a decentralized network of node operators that can quickly add and serve any API, through any interface (REST, JSON-RPC, websockets etc.), on any chain. The Lava protocol routes your requests to the most relevant and best available cluster of nodes, based on latency, uptime and accuracy.

This removes the need to use a fragmented set of providers for every new chain you build your application on, instead bringing all providers into one platform and creating competitive market dynamics that hold providers accountable for quality of service.

Lava Foundation has partnered with NEAR Foundation to add NEAR RPC as a module to the Lava base layer. Node operators can now join Lava to be eligible for payments for serving RPC to users.

Start getting paid as a NEAR node operator

NEAR Foundation has pledged to compensate node operators with an estimated total of 15k NEAR tokens, distributed across all providers over 6 months (amount will likely change depending on factors including milestones, NEAR market value etc.). Distributions will be monthly over a minimum of 6 months and KYC & KYB will be required to be eligible for the incentives. For Mainnet, the foundation is developing an algorithmic solution which does not require manual distribution of funds.

From today, node operators can sign-up here to onboard. The RPC endpoint is expected to be ready for developers to use within the coming weeks. Node operators will be able to join at any time, even after the endpoint is launched.

Onboarding Steps:‍

1. Set up lavad and create a wallet‍

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2. Fill the Onboarding Form which allows us to know where to send Lava testnet tokens so you can stake to Lava network

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3. Complete KYC - we will release this in Discord closer to the endpoint launch

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4. Join our Discord channel for NEAR ipRPC to keep up to date: https://discord.gg/bKkEtU6AMQ‍

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5. Finish provider set up (this requires getting testnet tokens, which the team aims to send up to 48 hours after providers complete the form above)

6. Share a tweet about joining Lava Network as a node operator for NEAR and submit in contribution channel on Discord

7. Like and comment on Lava's NEAR announcement here
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There are two forms to complete: the Onboarding Form, above, and the KYC/KYB Form, to be shared later.
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Note: you must complete the form above so we know which wallet to send payment. Additionally, we highly recommend joining our dedicated Discord channel to stay notified of latest updates.