What is a network?
What is a network?
A network is the blockchain infrastructure supporting transactions, dapps, and smart contracts, with its own rules, consensus mechanism, and native tokens. For example, wallets, addresses, and assets are created on a specific network.
EVM Networks
| Tool | Base | Ethereum | Arbitrum | Polygon | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 WALLETS | |||||
| Server Wallet Create & manage wallets | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Supports all EVM networks |
| Embedded Wallet In-app wallets with email login | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Supports all EVM networks |
 PAYMENTS | |||||
| Send & Receive Transfer crypto assets | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Supports all EVM networks |
| Onramp & Offramp Fiat to crypto conversion | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | • Support for > 50 networks • Varies by location. Check availability |
| x402 Micropayment protocol | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | • CDP Facilitator: Base • Self-hosted Facilitator: any EVM network |
 SWAPS | |||||
| Trade API Token swapping | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | Mainnet only |
 BASE TOOLS | |||||
| Paymaster Gas sponsorship | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | |
 DATA | |||||
| Node RPC endpoints | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | |
| Token Balances Query token balances | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | Beta |
| Address History Transaction history | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | • Only available in v1 Server Wallet |
| Webhooks Real-time events | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | |
 AI | |||||
| AgentKit AI-powered agents | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | • Network availability depends on wallet provider config |
 STAKING | |||||
| Staking API Programmatic staking | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | |
 FAUCET | |||||
| Faucets Test tokens | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | Testnet only |
Non-EVM Networks
| Tool | Bitcoin | Solana | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| WALLETS | |||
| Server Wallet Create & manage wallets | ❌ | ✅ | |
| Embedded Wallet In-app wallets with email login | ❌ | ✅ | |
| PAYMENTS | |||
| Send & Receive Transfer crypto assets | ❌ | ✅ | |
| Onramp & Offramp Fiat to crypto conversion | ✅ | ✅ | • Support for > 50 networks • Varies by location. Check availability |
| x402 Micropayment protocol | ❌ | ❌ | Solana support in development |
| DATA | |||
| Token Balances Query token balances | ❌ | ✅ | Beta |
| AI | |||
| AgentKit AI-powered agents | ❌ | ✅ | • Network availability depends on wallet provider config |
| STAKING | |||
| Staking API Programmatic staking | ❌ | ✅ | |
| FAUCET | |||
| Faucets Test tokens | ❌ | ✅ | Testnet only |
Use cases
Mainnets vs. Testnets
Mainnets vs. Testnets
- Mainnet: Live, fully operational blockchain with real transactions and actual assets
- Testnets: Sandbox environments for testing smart contracts, dapps, and other blockchain functionality without risking real funds. You can obtain test currencies from faucets
| Testnet | Mainnet |
|---|---|
| Base-Sepolia | Base-Mainnet |
| Ethereum-Sepolia, Ethereum-Hoodi | Ethereum-Mainnet |
| Solana-Devnet | Solana-Mainnet |
Mainnets
Use mainnets for production-grade transactions and interactions using CDP APIs:- Sending real crypto funds (e.g., withdrawals, payments)
- Interacting with live DeFi protocols (such as staking)
- Reading onchain data for dashboards, analytics, etc.
Testnets
Use testnets for development, testing, or QA with no real funds involved:- Testing smart contract deployments before mainnet launch
- Simulating workflows (like login, staking, etc.) with testnet funds
- Continuous Integration tests that run contract calls
- Demo purposes for sandbox environments
Layer 2s
Use Layer 2s, such as the Base network, for lower fees and faster transactions:- Powering gas-efficient wallets or dapps
- Game or social app activity (frequent, low-cost interactions)
- Bridging assets between networks
What to read next
- Authentication: Set up API keys for CDP
- Quickstart: Build your first onchain app
- Demo Apps: Explore sample applications