Solana RPC
The JSON-over-HTTP API that every Solana node exposes for reading chain state and submitting transactions. Fine for basic queries, limiting for latency-sensitive trading vs gRPC streaming.
In detail
Solana RPC is the standard request/response API for reading chain state (accounts, balances, transaction history) and broadcasting signed transactions. Public RPC endpoints from providers like Helius, QuickNode, and Triton are shared infrastructure — they work for most app-level needs but incur variable latency under load. For real-time trading workflows, RPC polling or WebSocket notifications are slower than gRPC streaming by 15–50ms because RPC is pull-based and ships full responses rather than filtered push updates. Trading bots that rely only on RPC are at a structural latency disadvantage to bots using Yellowstone gRPC.
Key points
- JSON-over-HTTP request/response API
- Standard for reading state and broadcasting transactions
- Shared public RPC has variable latency under load
- 15–50ms slower than gRPC for streaming use cases
- Fine for app-level reads, limiting for trading