Model Context Protocols, or MCPs, are dominating the narrative in the AI space right now, granting extended superpowers to LLMs by giving them deep access into third party tools and systems. But where do MCPs meet the AI x Crypto space?

Bankless has an answer to that, with the recent launch of the Bankless Onchain MCP in beta 👀

Imagine your AI assistant having the ability to peek inside the blockchain, read smart contracts, and tell you about transactions—all in real-time and in plain language. We've made this possible by creating a direct bridge between blockchain data and large language models (LLMs).

It's all available to Bankless Citizens for personal use, so let's dive into what it enables. 👇

What is Model Context Protocol (MCP)?

MCP is a communication standard that allows language models to access external data and tools. Think of it as a universal translator that helps AI models speak with different data sources and services.

Breaking Down the Concept

MCP solves a fundamental challenge in AI development: how to give AI models access to real-time, specialized information without retraining them. Without MCP, language models are limited to the knowledge they were trained with, making them unable to access current blockchain data.

The protocol creates a standardized way for AI models to request information from external sources, process that information, and incorporate it into their responses—all while maintaining a consistent interaction pattern that works across different services and data providers.

Introducing Bankless Onchain MCP Server

The Bankless Onchain MCP Server is a specialized tool that acts as an interpreter between your AI assistant and blockchain networks. It transforms complex blockchain queries into a format your AI can understand and use.

What Can It Access?

With Bankless Onchain MCP, your language model can:

• Read information from any smart contract
• Check token balances and transaction histories
• Analyze contract events and activities
• Understand what different contracts do by reading their code
• Track transfers, trades, and other on-chain activities

All of this happens seamlessly within your conversation with the AI, without requiring you to understand blockchain technology, programming, or complex queries.

How Onchain MCP Works

Think of Onchain MCP as having a blockchain expert sitting next to your AI assistant, ready to look things up whenever needed. Here's a simplified explanation of how it works:

• You ask a question about blockchain data (e.g., "What's my ETH balance?")
• The AI recognizes it needs blockchain information to answer
• The AI queries the MCP server with specific parameters (your address, the network, etc.)
• The MCP server translates this into proper blockchain queries
• The Bankless API retrieves the requested information from the blockchain
• The data returns to the AI in a structured, understandable format
• The AI incorporates this real-time information into its response to you

This all happens in seconds, making the interaction feel natural and conversational. The technical complexity is hidden from both the user and the AI, allowing for fluid conversations about blockchain data.

What Onchain MCP Can Do

We've opened this up for you to experiment with, and really the possibilities are endless.

For End Users

• Natural language access: Ask about blockchain data in plain English
• Real-time information: Get current blockchain states, not outdated information
• No technical barriers: No need to learn blockchain development or complex tools
• Integrated experience: Get blockchain insights within the same conversation interface you're already using

For Developers

• Simplified integration: Add blockchain capabilities without building complex infrastructure
• Standardized interface: One connection method works across different blockchain networks
• Reduced complexity: Let the MCP server handle the intricacies of blockchain queries
• Focus on user experience: Build applications around insights, not data retrieval

For Organizations

• Better customer support: Enable AI assistants to help users with blockchain-related questions
• Enhanced analytics: Create reports and insights that incorporate on-chain data
• Educational tools: Build learning experiences that explain blockchain concepts with real data
• Operational efficiency: Automate monitoring and analysis of blockchain activities

Useful Resources

• Official documentation: https://docs.bankless.com/bankless-api/other-services/onchain-mcp
• GitHub repo: https://github.com/bankless/onchain-mcp

Bankless Onchain MCP is available to Bankless Citizens for personal use. We're also open to discuss commercial uses for larger projects by contacting [email protected]