Google Cloud unveils new blockchain RPC service with Ethereum compatibility

Google Cloud has launched an Ethereum-compatible Remote Procedure Call service with the aim of simplifying blockchain development and providing a reliable way to interact with blockchain data.

Google Cloud’s latest product, announced on September 17, allows decentralized applications to communicate with blockchain networks, starting with support for the Ethereum mainnet and testnets, providing a cost-effective alternative to managing node infrastructure.

RPC is a software protocol that allows a program to request a service from another program located on a different network. In blockchain, RPCs are crucial for DApps to interact with blockchain data, managing tasks such as transaction validation, data retrieval, and node communication.

RPC reliability has been a persistent issue in the blockchain industry. Delays or errors in RPCs can often impact the operation of DApps that must process transactions and data requests instantly.

High network traffic or spikes in transaction volumes often cause outages, as has been seen in the past with Ethereum’s layer 2 solution ZkSync, as well as blockchains such as Solana and Manta, which have experienced issues during periods of peak demand.

Google Cloud’s Blockchain RPC service aims to solve these issues by using its infrastructure for better reliability.

The service is fully compliant with the JSON-RPC standard, allowing Ethereum developers to integrate it into their dapps with minimal coding by simply changing the RPC endpoints.

It also offers a free tier that allows up to 100 requests per second and 1 million requests per day, supports real-time and data-intensive applications, and appeals to both startups looking for an entry point into blockchain technology and large enterprises that need a reliable infrastructure.

Kyle Quintal, Head of Engineering at Web3 analytics firm 0xArc, encouraged them to integrate Google Cloud’s RPC service into their systems, stating that it provides “fast response times” and is compliant with Ethereum Improvement Proposal 1474 standards.

EIP-1474 defines a set of standardized RPC methods for Ethereum nodes.

The Blockchain RPC service is currently in preview worldwide, and Google Cloud plans to support more blockchains next year.

The new initiative is part of Google Cloud’s broader push into the blockchain sector. The cloud computing giant has partnered with a variety of blockchain projects and platforms over the years, including EigenLayer, Aptos, Flare, and Polygon.