Streams: Real-Time Blockchain Data From QuickNode

About Streams

Developed by blockchain infrastructure provider QuickNode, Streams allows startups and enterprises to tap into onchain data with guaranteed delivery. This allows them to consume real-time data that can be used to inform applications reliant on accurate token pricing and smart contract data.

Streams is designed with simplicity in mind, allowing businesses to access the data they require in just a few clicks. Fast, scalable, and customizable, Streams provides a reliable onchain data supply from the latest block.

Complex operations using blockchain data can be performed without the need for businesses to run their own node or set up expensive infrastructure. This allows for serverless blockchain data that works flawlessly.

Solving Blockchain Data Challenges

Businesses require blockchain data for a variety of reasons. Trading applications need it so users can buy and sell assets at the correct price. GameFi apps need it so players can record the latest game state and swap items in P2P marketplaces. TradFi requires it to provide accurate pricing of RWAs and tokenized derivatives.

Web3 infrastructure solutions such as Streams free businesses from the need to set up and maintain a node to access onchain data. In fact, it frees them from the need to spin up multiple nodes since the expansion of the omnichain landscape has necessitated connectivity with numerous chains including Bitcoin, Solana, EVMs, and Cosmos.

The requirement to run a node in order to access up-to-date and accurate blockchain data is cumbersome and labor intensive. Most companies trying a blockchain pilot or creating a consumer game with basic web3 connectivity lack the resources to justify such an outlay. It’s the equivalent of requiring someone to build their own home computer just to access the internet.

Blockchain Data as a Service providers obviate this requirement, replacing nodes with a single data pipeline that’s fast, accurate, and which flows from multiple blockchain sources.

Key Features

Streams by QuickNode provides a number of key features and benefits:

• Reorg-proof: Access consistently correct data even when chains encounter a reorg (when recently published blocks have to be rebuilt or “reorganized”)
• Robust error handling: In-depth activity logs, stream metrics, tests, and data to ensure visibility and quick troubleshooting.
• Streamlined data infrastructure: Perform complex operations on blockchain data without the need to manage infrastructure.
• Automated data push: Data can be ingested more efficiently and in larger quantities with guaranteed delivery and redundant RPC calls.
• Historical data: In addition to real-time data, Streams can deliver historical data going back to the genesis block.

Streams operate as data pipelines that fetch and deliver blockchain data to the client’s desired destination such as a dapp, app, or platform. This data can include transaction logs, block data, and other relevant datasets. Clients can start and stop streams at any time.

In terms of pricing, Streams offers three plans: Build, Scale, and Enterprise. Data costs from $2.50 per GB with Build, reducing to $1.75 for Scale, while Enterprise offers custom pricing dependent upon usage. With the Scale and Enterprise plans, data compression is supported, as is reorg handling. These two plans also support more data destinations than Build, which only offers Webhooks. Scale and Enterprise also support S3-compatible storage and Kafka and Direct database integrations.

The number of blockchains Streams supports is regularly expanded, but centers around the EVM landscape including rollups and L2s.

Accurate blockchain data is the lifeblood of every web3 application. Without it, trades can’t be reliably made, in-game items can’t be exchanged, and prediction markets can’t operate. Services such as Streams solve this, piping accurate data that allows web3 apps to operate flawlessly.