What is a Moonbeam RPC Node?
Access Polkadot's EVM parachain
A Moonbeam RPC node provides applications with access to a fully EVM-compatible parachain on Polkadot, enabling Ethereum developers to deploy contracts while accessing Polkadot's cross-chain capabilities. Moonbeam acts as a bridge connecting Ethereum's development ecosystem with Polkadot's multi-chain architecture, allowing applications to leverage the best of both worlds.
Why Moonbeam on Polkadot
Ethereum has the developers and tools. Polkadot has cross-chain interoperability and shared security. Moonbeam combines both — deploy Solidity contracts using familiar tools while accessing Polkadot's 50+ parachains through native messaging. This makes Moonbeam the natural entry point for Ethereum developers exploring Polkadot.
Moonbeam advantages:
- Full EVM compatibility — deploy Ethereum contracts unchanged
- Polkadot security — shared validator security
- XCM messaging — native cross-chain communication
- Multi-chain access — connect to 50+ parachains
- Ethereum tools — use MetaMask, Hardhat, Remix
- Substrate features — advanced governance and staking
Polkadot parachain architecture
Moonbeam is a parachain — a specialized blockchain connected to Polkadot's Relay Chain. Parachains share security through Polkadot's validators while maintaining independent logic and state. This architecture enables trustless cross-chain messaging between parachains through XCM (Cross-Consensus Messaging), creating a truly interoperable multi-chain ecosystem.
How Moonbeam works:
- Moonbeam runs as Polkadot parachain
- Inherits security from Polkadot validators
- Executes EVM smart contracts
- Communicates with other parachains via XCM
- Provides Ethereum-compatible RPC interface
Cross-chain capabilities
Through XCM, Moonbeam can natively communicate with other Polkadot parachains like Acala (DeFi), Phala (privacy), Astar (multi-VM), and more. This enables building applications that span multiple chains — for example, a DeFi app on Moonbeam using Acala's stablecoin and Phala's confidential computing.
This cross-chain composability represents Polkadot's core vision: a multi-chain future where blockchains specialize and interoperate.