JSON-RPC Endpoints for BNB Smart Chain: A Developer’s Guide

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Accessing blockchain data in real time is essential for decentralized applications (dApps), and JSON-RPC endpoints serve as the gateway to this functionality. For developers building on BNB Smart Chain (BSC), understanding how to connect and interact with reliable RPC endpoints is crucial. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of available JSON-RPC endpoints for both BSC Mainnet and Testnet, explains key differences from Ethereum’s implementation, and highlights best practices for integration.

Whether you're querying transaction history, listening to smart contract events, or deploying dApps, BSC's EVM-compatible infrastructure ensures a smooth development experience—while introducing unique features like faster finality and blob transactions.

What Are JSON-RPC Endpoints?

JSON-RPC (Remote Procedure Call) endpoints are network addresses that allow applications to send commands and retrieve data from a blockchain node using standardized methods. By connecting your wallet or dApp to an RPC endpoint, you gain access to core blockchain functionalities such as:

BNB Smart Chain supports HTTP and WebSocket-based JSON-RPC connections, enabling both request-response interactions and real-time data streaming.

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One-Click Network Addition via ChainList

To simplify setup, developers can use ChainList to automatically detect and add verified RPC endpoints for BSC. After connecting your wallet (e.g., MetaMask), ChainList injects the correct network configuration—ChainID 56 for Mainnet or 97 for Testnet—with active RPC URLs.

This tool eliminates manual configuration errors and ensures you're using up-to-date, functional endpoints.

BSC Mainnet RPC Endpoints (ChainID: 56)

The following public endpoints are available for connecting to BNB Smart Chain Mainnet:

Rate Limit Note: All public BSC endpoints enforce a rate limit of 10,000 requests per 5 minutes.

⚠️ Important: The method eth_getLogs is disabled on most public Mainnet endpoints due to performance constraints. For frequent log retrieval, consider using third-party providers or switching to WebSocket subscriptions for real-time event streaming.

For more options, visit ChainList to discover additional community-maintained nodes.

BSC Testnet RPC Endpoints (ChainID: 97)

Developers testing dApps before mainnet deployment can use these Testnet endpoints:

These are ideal for debugging, simulating user interactions, and validating contract logic under realistic conditions—without risking real funds.

Trusted Third-Party RPC Providers

For production-grade applications requiring higher throughput, lower latency, and dedicated support, consider using professional node service providers:

These platforms often provide enhanced features like archive node access, analytics dashboards, and SLA-backed uptime.

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Starting HTTP JSON-RPC Connections

To interact with BSC via command line tools like Geth, use the --http flag when attaching to a remote node:

# Connect to BSC Mainnet
geth attach https://bsc-dataseed.bnbchain.org

# Connect to BSC Testnet
geth attach https://bsc-testnet-dataseed.bnbchain.org

This allows direct execution of JSON-RPC calls such as eth_blockNumber, eth_call, or personal_sendTransaction.

JSON-RPC API Overview for BNB Smart Chain

As an EVM-compatible chain, BSC supports most standard Geth (Go-Ethereum) APIs. However, it introduces several custom extensions to support its unique consensus mechanism and scalability features.

Geth API Compatibility

BSC maintains near-full compatibility with the Geth JSON-RPC API. Common methods like eth_sendTransaction, eth_estimateGas, and eth_getBalance work seamlessly.

Always refer to official Geth documentation for detailed parameter usage and return formats.

Finality API: Understanding BSC’s Parlia Consensus

Unlike Ethereum’s PoS-based Gasper protocol, BSC uses the Parlia consensus algorithm, which combines a difficulty-based fork choice rule with a simplified version of Casper FFG for finality.

Key characteristics:

This results in quicker transaction confirmation but requires distinct handling when determining irreversible blocks. Developers should use the Finality API to track finalized blocks accurately.

Learn more in the BSC Finality API documentation.

Blob API: Supporting EIP-4844 via BEP-336

BSC has implemented EIP-4844 (Shard Blob Transactions) through BEP-336. This enables cheaper data availability for rollups and layer-2 solutions by introducing "blob-carrying" transactions.

Relevant JSON-RPC methods include:

This positions BSC as a scalable platform for modular blockchain architectures.

See the full BSC Blob API guide for implementation details.

Other Custom BSC APIs

In addition to Finality and Blob APIs, BSC supports several proprietary endpoints for advanced use cases:

Refer to the Other BSC API section for complete specifications.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why is eth_getLogs disabled on public BSC endpoints?
A: Due to high resource consumption, public nodes disable eth_getLogs to prevent abuse. Use third-party services or WebSocket subscriptions (logs) for efficient event tracking.

Q: How do I handle rate limits on free RPC endpoints?
A: Stay within the 10K/5min limit. For higher demand, upgrade to a paid provider like Ankr or QuickNode offering elevated quotas.

Q: Can I run my own BSC node?
A: Yes. Running a full or archive node gives you unrestricted access and improved reliability. Check BNB Chain’s official docs for setup instructions.

Q: What’s the difference between HTTP and WebSocket connections?
A: HTTP is request-based; WebSocket enables real-time event listening (e.g., new blocks, contract logs), making it ideal for live dApps.

Q: Is BSC fully compatible with Ethereum tools?
A: Most tools (Hardhat, Truffle, MetaMask) work out-of-the-box due to EVM equivalence. Minor adjustments may be needed for finality checks or gas estimation.

Q: How do I choose the best RPC provider?
A: Evaluate based on uptime, speed, pricing, geographic coverage, and additional features like analytics or indexing.

Core Keywords

JSON-RPC endpoint, BNB Smart Chain, BSC Mainnet, BSC Testnet, RPC provider, eth_getLogs, WebSocket, Parlia consensus

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