Bitcoin (BTC) API - Building Your Web3 Dapps 

What is a Bitcoin (BTC) API?

A Bitcoin API is an interface that allows users to interact programmatically with the blockchain.

The primary role of Bitcoin RPC node is to let developers read information from the blockchain, broadcast data, and create applications capable of accessing and sending data to the Bitcoin network.

Behind the scenes, this interaction is facilitated by specialized nodes within the network that are configured to handle Remote Procedure Calls (RPC).

Unlike other nodes in the network that may focus on mining, validation, or consensus, Bitcoin RPC node primarily serves as gateways for external entities (such as users or applications) to access data stored on blockchain.

Thus, Bitcoin API is the specific set of methods that users and applications utilize to communicate with RPC nodes.

They accept requests from users or apps, process these requests, and execute corresponding actions on the blockchain network, with protocols such as JSON-RPC, WebSockets, or REST commonly used for communication.

Through the Bitcoin API, developers can send commands to RPC nodes, even without needing to set up and maintain their own blockchain nodes, servers, or network infrastructure.

For dApps, applications that are built to interact with decentralized networks, it provides a very much required bridge to stay connected to the network.

Why use a Bitcoin (BTC) API?

Developers, enterprises, and organizations seeking to bring blockchain functionality into their applications or business processes; additionally, researchers, analysts, and enthusiasts interested in exploring Bitcoin data and trends — all require the capability to engage with the blockchain

Running a Bitcoin RPC node is one way to connect to the decentralized network. However, it requires technical expertise, hardware resources, and ongoing maintenance, including hardware updates to maintain scalability.

With an RPC connection, users and applications communicate with a remote node that is operated by a blockchain infrastructure provider.
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This comes with a list of benefits:

• Immediate Usability: Users can start using Bitcoin API to interact with the network without the need for node software setups;
• Support and Maintenance: Infrastructure management, updates, and security measures are handled by providers, while prompt around-the-clock support helps navigate the issues;
• Tailored Solutions: Users not only have the flexibility to select from a range of API protocols but also benefit from adaptable pricing options;
• Performance Control: API providers prioritize optimizing services to ensure reliable and stable connections and minimal downtime.

These factors are especially crucial for dApp builders to guarantee accelerated development speeds and proper app functionality even under heavy traffic loads.

Key Features of Bitcoin API

APIs exposed by RPC nodes support a wide range of operations. Let’s break down the major use cases into four main categories:

Key Features	Description	Example Use Cases
Real-time blockchain data	Enables applications to stay synchronized with the latest blockchain state; retrieve information directly from the ledger, including transaction and account details, block and network statistics	Blockchain explorers, Real-time analytics, Trading platforms
Wallet management	Includes functionalities like generating new addresses, checking balances, sending and receiving funds, and handling transaction history	Payment gateways, Exchange platforms
Transaction processing	Facilitates transaction creation, signing, fee estimation, and broadcasting for network confirmation	DeFi platforms, Wallet applications
Address validation	Helps verify address validity to ensure compliance with blockchain network standards before transaction processing	Web3 wallets, Exchanges, Payment platforms

How to Get Started with Bitcoin (BTC) API

Accessing Bitcoin infrastructure with GetBlock is as simple as signing up on the platform and acquiring an endpoint. Follow our three-step tutorial to start using the service.

1. Account Setup

Register for a GetBlock.io account by linking your MetaMask wallet. Alternatively, sign up with an email or a Google account. No additional information is required.

Upon login, you'll be directed to the Dashboard, displaying a balance of 40,000 requests. Credits reset daily, making it ideal for testing and exploring platform functionalities.

All these functionality is provided to developers via APIs, without requiring direct access to the underlying infrastructure.

2. Generating Endpoints

The next step is generating the endpoint URL for the chosen network that will grant access to GetBlock’s Bitcoin API.

To do that, simply scroll down to “My Endpoints”:

1. Choose the desired network from the widget, most networks are available both in testnet and mainnet;
2. Select between available API protocols;
3. Press “Get” to retrieve an endpoint.

All generated URLs follow a standardized format and will appear in the list below the widget for easy access:

“​​https://go.getblock.io/”

Access token in this case acts as a unique identifier that grants permission to interact with the blockchain infrastructure securely.

3. Integrating the API

Users can copy the URL to use it as an endpoint for API calls or incorporate it into the codebase of the application.

Another option is to download a configuration file in JSON or JS formats to further secure interactions with the infrastructure.

Explore our documentation for detailed tutorials and code examples on utilizing config files.

Basic API call example

To illustrate, let’s query the node to retrieve mempool information.

While using the code, make sure to replace the URL with the one copied from the dashboard.

curl --location --request POST 'https://go.getblock.io//' \
--header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
--data-raw '{"jsonrpc": "2.0",
"method": "getmempoolinfo",
"params": [],
"id": "getblock.io"}' | jq

Upon execution, we receive a response containing all the necessary information from the node.

This is just one example of API usage; let's explore more methods for connecting to the Bitcoin network.

Available Bitcoin API Methods

Users can communicate with GetBlock’s BTC nodes using two main protocols: JSON-RPC and REST.

Here’s a list of most commonly used methods in the Bitcoin blockchain available via GetBlock API:

• getblockchaininfo: Retrieves the general information about the network, such as the mining difficulty, network size, etc.
• getrawtransaction: Returns the raw data of a transaction by its ID.
• sendrawtransaction: Broadcasts a raw transaction to the network for inclusion in a block.
• validateaddress: Allows to confirm the validity of a provided BTC address and obtain additional information about it;
• getutxos: Fetches a list of all unspent transaction outputs (UTXOs) associated with a given address.

For comprehensive coverage of all API methods, including descriptions, parameters, and code samples, please consult our documentation.

Pricing and Plans for Bitcoin (BTC) API

GetBlock offers a variety of options, from free tariffs to customized packages, ensuring there is a suitable plan for every use case.

New users are enrolled in a free plan that includes 40,000 requests capped at 60 RPS, granting access to shared nodes where the workload is distributed among multiple clients.

Flexible pricing

Paid shared access plans are also available, charged based on request numbers or for a fixed monthly fee with unlimited usage and increased throughput.

Shared plans ensure reliable connectivity to multiple blockchain networks while remaining a budget-friendly choice for many users.

Dedicated BTC API

Clients have the option to request exclusive server access without limitations on rates and requests.

Additionally, it unlocks archival data and customizable node configurations to suit specific requirements for optimizing performance and resource allocation.

This plan is specifically suitable for decentralized applications managing a high volume of user requests.

DEDICATED NODE

Private server with custom settings

Requests

Unlimited

Rate Limit

Unlimited

Data

Archive

Starting at

$

600

/ month

Start building

Enterprise BTC solutions

Beyond standard packages, GetBlock offers Enterprise Solutions tailored for large-scale businesses or applications that demand substantial resources and personalized support.

In addition to advanced analytics, alert systems, and a dedicated support team, this service offers the deployment of any protocol node upon request and load-balancing infrastructure to prevent server overload and minimize response time.

Altogether, the solution is designed to provide a scalable and secure infrastructure capable of supporting the most ambitious Web3 projects.