Near Protocol is in the process of establishing himself as a key actor in the blockchains sphere. With its unique approach to scalability and an infrastructure that facilitates the creation of decentralized applications, Near draws the attention of many developers and investors. But what makes Near so special? How does he manage to resolve some of the biggest challenges that blockchains are faced today, such as decentralization, security and scalability?
Table of contents
The architecture of Near Protocol : What is Sharding?
Sharding is a central concept in Near . In simple terms, a shard is a division of the network in smaller segments, each capable of treating part of the transactions independently of other shards. Imagine a supermarket with a single cash register: all customers must wait for their turn, which slows down the process. Sharding is like opening several cases at the same time, allowing several customers to be served simultaneously. In the same way, several transactions can be carried out in parallel on different shards, considerably increasing the total number of transactions that the network can deal with both.
Each shard works independently, but all shards communicate with each other to guarantee the coherence of the whole network. This parallel architecture allows Near to maintain high performance, even when the number of users increases. Unlike traditional blockchains, where all transactions are treated on a single chain, Near distributes the workload on several nodes, which reduces the congestion of the network and improves efficiency.
Validators and nodes policy in Near Protocol
Validators are key participants in the Near network . They are the ones who check and validate the transactions carried out on the various shards. To become a validator, a node must bet a certain amount of tokens Near in a process called Proof of Stake (POS) . Near's policy vis-à-vis her nodes is clear: it aims to encourage large participation in order to avoid the centralization of powers. By allowing a large number of validators to operate, Near ensures that the network remains robust and secure .
The tools for developers: SDK, Rust and AssemblyScript
Near facilitates the creation of decentralized applications by offering development tools such as the SDK Near , which makes it possible to code in Rust and assembliescript . Although these languages are popular in the universe of blockchains, they are not exclusive to Near. Other blockchains, such as Polkadot or Solana , also offer these options.
What distinguishes Near, however, is the ease with which these tools are integrated into its ecosystem, making the development of dApp S that is both simple and fast.
Single sign (SSO): a differentiating point?
Single Sign-On (SSO) functionality allows users to connect to several applications with a single NEAR account. This greatly simplifies the user experience, especially in the web 3 where account management can quickly become complex.
Although other blockchains explore similar options, the SSO of Near is distinguished by its fluid integration in the user interface, which makes it a major asset for the adoption of dAppby the general public.
Sharding and decentralization: opportunities and challenges
If the Sharding considerably improves the scalability of Near, it also raises questions about decentralization . By fragmenting the network in Shards, validation responsibility is distributed among several nodes. However, this model can also make the network vulnerable if a majority of nodes in a given shard is corrupt. This is why it is crucial that the number of nodes is sufficient to guarantee the integrity of the network.
Nightshade consensus: How does it work?
Near's consensus is based on the Nightshade model , which divides the validation burden between several nodes. Even if some nodes do not answer or do not work properly, the network remains functional thanks to an intelligent distribution of responsibilities. This resilience strengthens the security of the protocol, because no individual node has a total control over the treatment of transactions.
Transaction and profitability costs of validators
One of the great advantages of Near is the low cost of its transactions. But if the costs are so low, how do the validators manage to remain profitable? In reality, validators are paid through a combination of NEAR tokens awards and transaction costs. The Near model is designed to maintain balanced profitability for validators, even with low costs, based on moderate token inflation to reward the work of validators.
Chain Abstraction: the interoperability of blockchains
The chain abstraction allows Near to easily interact with other blockchains, thus offering very good interoperability. Currently, decentralized applications ( dApp S) are often limited to a single blockchain, which limits their scope and flexibility. With Near, the dApp can interact with several blockchains without having to be redeveloped for each of them. Not to be confused with the Layers 0 , which mainly focus on the networking of blockchains without worrying about the specific interactions of applications.
A robust infrastructure for decentralized applications
Near's infrastructure is designed to provide long -term stability and reliability Its tools for developers, such as the Near SDK and the Near Wallet , are designed to simplify the development process and improve the user experience. Compared to other blockchains, Near is distinguished by the fluidity with which it allows developers to create, test and deploy applications.
Near Protocol 's open web: a new paradigm for the decentralized Internet
The open web is one of the key components of Near Protocol . It aims to create an ecosystem where users and developers can interact freely with their data and decentralized applications ( dApp S) without being restricted by centralized platforms.
In web2, most online services are controlled by centralized entities. When you connect to an application, you usually use an email address and password, information often stored on a company servers like Google or Facebook. This approach, although practical, poses problems of data confidentiality and dependence on third parties.
With the web3 , this dynamic changes. Instead of connecting with an email address, you will use a crypto wallet to access applications.
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This wallet allows you to keep control of your personal data and interact directly with the dApp S, using the cryptocurrencies that you hold in your wallet. You no longer need to entrust your information to centralized companies, which guarantees greater privacy protection .
Near's open web is part of this vision by offering a decentralized infrastructure where each user has and controls his own data. This approach allows developers to create more transparent and secure applications, where users can share their data in a secure manner and interact with other applications without barriers.
In practice, this means that the data and digital assets of a user can be shared freely between several dApp interoperable user experiences . Thanks to this interoperability , applications are no longer partitioned with a single blockchain, which represents a major advantage for development and innovation in the decentralized ecosystem.
open web transforms how we use and share data, allowing increased control and more free use of digital resources.
Examples of projects built on Near Protocol
Several innovative projects have developed on Near, notably in decentralized finance ( DEFI ) and NFT. Platforms like Mintbase , specializing in the creation and management of NFTS, and ref finance , a decentralized exchange, show how the infrastructure of Near allows cases of various and varied use.
“House of Stake” proposal aims to establish a full governance framework for the Near , focused on transparency, responsibility, efficiency and alignment of the interests of the protocol. The main objective is to offer Near holders a governance structure allowing fair and sustainable growth.
Near Protocol 's governance: towards fair and sustainable growth
Key components of the proposal
Governance mechanism (VENEAR)
The Venear is a locked governance token, designed to strengthen the participation of Near holders in the decision -making process. Users can lock their NEAR tokens for a period from three months to four years. The longer the locking time, the more increased their voting power, thus encouraging a long -term commitment in the governance of the platform.ON-chain voting
mechanisms are offered to allow large participation in decision-making. Control and balance systems are put in place to avoid the fatigue of voters and accelerate preselected proposals, thus guaranteeing maximum effectiveness in the governance process.Consultative and functional bodies
A selection committee is proposed to initiate the processes of selection of delegates, preselect the subsidy proposals and continuously assess the effectiveness of governance. This committee plays a crucial role in maintaining dynamic and reactive governance within the Near ecosystem.Executive delegates
The definitions and roles of approved delegates are clearly described, including their selection process and their responsibilities. These delegates are essential for operational governance and are chosen according to their commitment and compliance with established standards.Use of annual inflation of 0.5%
One of the main motivations behind this proposal is to effectively use the annual inflation rate of 0.5% to finance governance initiatives and encourage significant participation in the ecosystem.Path to decentralization
The stages towards decentralization include the expansion of the number of delegated members and periodic examinations by the selection committee to adjust strategies according to performance and efficiency.
This governance structure aims to give a stronger voice to the holders of Near while ensuring that the decisions taken are aligned with the long -term objectives of the protocol, while strengthening the resilience and independence of the network.
Near Protocol TVL growth in 2024
In 2024, the total locked value ( TVL ) on Near doubled, from $ 25 million in January to $ 50 million in October 2024. This growth shows increased adoption of the protocol, with more and more projects and users joining the ecosystem.
Conclusion
Near Protocol presents major assets to become a central actor in the blockchains ecosystem. Thanks to its sharding , its robust infrastructure , and its ability to facilitate the development of dApp S, Near attracts the attention more and more developers. However, challenges remain, particularly in terms of decentralization and governance. Near seems promising but its future will depend on its ability to overcome these challenges and to attract real adoption.
Faq
What is Near Protocol ?
Near is a decentralized platform designed to facilitate the creation of scalable and efficient applications, using Sharding architecture to improve scalability.Why is Sharding a key element of Near?
Sharding makes it possible to distribute transactions between several nodes, thus increasing the network's capacity to treat a large number of transactions simultaneously.How does Near promote interoperability between blockchains?
Thanks to the abstraction chain , Near allows applications to operate on several blockchains without the need for major changes.What are the advantages for developers to build on Near?
Near offers powerful and accessible development tools, as well as an infrastructure that simplifies the creation, test and deployment of decentralized applications.
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Noah
Training engineer, I quickly became interested in the field of finance. Convinced that decentralized finance has a bright future ahead of it, I participate in its democratization by developing Crypternon.
