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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Server Wallet Create & manage wallets | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Supports all EVM networks |
Embedded Wallet In-app wallets with email login | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Supports all EVM networks |
Smart Wallet Account abstraction wallets | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | • Deployable on any EVM network • SDK/client supports: Optimism, Zora, BNB, Avalanche, Lordchain |
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 |
Trade API Token swapping | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | Mainnet only |
Paymaster Gas sponsorship | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | |
Appchains Custom blockchains | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | |
OnchainKit React components | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Supports all EVM networks |
Node Free RPC endpoints | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | |
Token Balances Query token balances | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | Beta |
Address History Transaction history | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | • Only available in v1 Server Wallet |
Webhooks Real-time events | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | |
Smart Contract Events Contract monitoring | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | Mainnet only |
Verifications Onchain attestations | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Mainnet only |
AgentKit AI-powered agents | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | • Network availability depends on wallet provider config |
Staking API Programmatic staking | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | |
Faucets Test tokens | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | Testnet only |
Non-EVM Networks
Tool | Bitcoin | Solana | Details |
---|---|---|---|
Server Wallet Create & manage wallets | ❌ | ✅ | |
Embedded Wallet In-app wallets with email login | ❌ | ✅ | |
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 |
Token Balances Query token balances | ❌ | ✅ | Beta |
AgentKit AI-powered agents | ❌ | ✅ | • Network availability depends on wallet provider config |
Staking API Programmatic staking | ❌ | ✅ | |
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