What is RPC (Remote Procedure Call)?
An RPC endpoint is the API a node exposes so wallets, indexers and dApps can submit transactions and query state. Most users rely on hosted RPC providers like Infura or Alchemy; running your own RPC eliminates a major trust assumption.
Why RPC (Remote Procedure Call) matters
Understanding RPC (Remote Procedure Call) is part of building a solid mental model of how Bitcoin, blockchain and Web3 systems actually work. Concepts in the Concepts category sit at the foundation of the broader stack — get them right and the rest is far easier.
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Reading the definition is a start. ZeroToBlock teaches concepts like RPC (Remote Procedure Call) through hands-on, browser-based simulations. Build the mental model by actually using it:
- Bitcoin 101 — interactive fundamentals course
- Bitcoin Proof of Work — mining, hashing and consensus
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Related terms
- Node — A computer participating in the blockchain network.
- Full Node — A node that validates every rule for itself.
- dApp (Decentralized Application) — An app whose backend lives on a blockchain.
More concepts terms
- Decentralization — Distributing control across many independent participants.
- Atomic Swap — Trustless cross-chain trade using hash time-locked contracts.
- Bridge — A protocol that moves assets or messages between chains.
- Byzantine Fault Tolerance (BFT) — A system that works even when some nodes lie or fail.
- Staking — Locking tokens to secure a network and earn rewards.
- Validator — A node that proposes and attests to blocks in PoS.
- Layer 1 (L1) — A base blockchain network with its own consensus.
- Layer 2 (L2) — A scaling network that settles to a Layer 1.
Keep exploring
Continue with the full blockchain glossary — 136 terms in total — or read the developer blog and FAQ for deeper context.