Overview
A node provider is a service that hosts blockchain nodes and exposes them to developers via API. It removes the need for teams to run their own infrastructure. Alchemy and Infura are leading providers.
How It Works
Providers maintain node clusters and offer RPC endpoints, dashboards, and tooling. Developers pay for access and scale. Providers handle uptime, indexing, and infrastructure.
Why It Matters
Node providers lower the barrier to building dapps and are essential infrastructure. They introduce centralization risk, as many apps depend on a few providers. Decentralized RPC is an active trend.
Related Concepts
Node Providers relate to RPC, Nodes, and Developer Infrastructure. They are central to the Web3 stack.