What is NEAR Protocol?
NEAR Protocol Blockchain Summary
Launch Year
2020
Type
Public Blockchain
Consensus
Nightshade Sharding, Doomslug (Proof-of-Stake)
Near Protocol prioritizes scalability, developer-friendliness, and user accessibility. Its unique Nightshade sharding mechanism divides the network into smaller, more manageable segments (shards), enabling significant throughput increases without sacrificing security. Near emphasizes a seamless onboarding experience for both developers and users, with features like human-readable addresses and simplified gas mechanisms.
Near Protocol utilizes a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) system where NEAR holders can stake their tokens to strengthen network security and earn rewards. There are two main ways to participate in staking:
Details about NEAR Protocol staking
Validator
Requires technical know-how and resources to run validator nodes, offering potentially higher rewards.
Delegator
Delegating NEAR to a validator is a simpler option, requiring a lower minimum stake.
Staking rewards are determined by factors such as the amount staked, validator efficiency, and network-wide participation.
Used for paying transaction fees, participating in governance, and earning staking rewards.
Use Cases
NEAR is essential for paying transaction fees, becoming a validator or delegating stake, and engaging in on-chain governance decisions.
Ecosystem Growth
NEAR’s value is linked to the expansion of its ecosystem of dApps, attracting developers, and onboarding new users.
NEAR Protocol Smart Contracts
Near supports a diverse range of smart contract development solutions
Rust
High-performance language designed for speed and security.
AssemblyScript
Resembles TypeScript, offering familiarity to a broader range of developers.
Aurora
Ethereum-compatible layer, enabling the porting of existing Ethereum-based dApps to Near.
These options cater to developers with various preferences and skill sets, fostering a diverse development environment.
NEAR Protocol Wallet Options
![Hodlezz app showcase](https://hodlezz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Group-48283-min.png)
![](https://hodlezz.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/rgbrg.png)
Near Wallet (official)
Web-based wallet for managing NEAR and interacting with dApps.
![](https://hodlezz.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/rgbrg.png)
Sender Wallet
User-friendly wallet with an emphasis on simplicity.
![](https://hodlezz.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/rgbrg.png)
MyNear Wallet
Mobile-focused wallet offering a convenient on-the-go solution.
![](https://hodlezz.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/rgbrg.png)
Ledger
A hardware wallet option for maximum security when holding NEAR.
How to Buy NEAR: A Guide to Popular Exchanges
Ready to invest in NEAR, the native token of the NEAR Protocol blockchain? Multiple centralized and decentralized exchanges offer ways to acquire NEAR. Here’s a breakdown of some popular options to help you find the best place to buy NEAR.
Best CEXs to Buy NEAR
Binance
Global leader in cryptocurrency exchange with high liquidity and a wide range of NEAR trading pairs.
Gate.io
Established exchange with a variety of trading features and NEAR support.
OKX
Well-known exchange offering diverse crypto assets and potential NEAR listings.
KuCoin
Global exchange featuring several trading pairs for NEAR.
HTX (Huobi Global)
Leading exchange with diverse crypto offerings, including NEAR.
Best DEXs to Buy NEAR
Ref Finance
A prominent decentralized exchange built on the NEAR Protocol.
Trisolaris
A leading DEX on the Aurora network, which is compatible with NEAR, offering swaps and liquidity pools.
Burrow
A DEX on NEAR focused on lending and borrowing services, potentially offering NEAR liquidity options.
Important Note: Always research and consider factors such as fees, security, supported fiat currencies, and regional availability before choosing an exchange. It’s advisable to compare multiple options for the best buying experience.
How to track NEAR Protocol assets?
Monitor and capitalize all your NEAR Protocol assets from multiple sources with auto-synced data about coin prices, NFT floor prices, advanced analytics and custom asset based opportunities.
![Hodlezz app portfolio data and features](https://hodlezz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Group-48352-min-1024x546.png)
7 easy steps to track and capitalize all your NEAR Protocol assets
Open your crypto wallet app or web extension
![Near Protocol wallet instructions for Hodlezz portfolio](https://hodlezz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/near_ht1-min.png)
![Near Protocol wallet instructions for Hodlezz portfolio](https://hodlezz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/near_ht2-min.png)
Select your NEAR public wallet address and copy it
Open the Hodlezz mobile app and create a portfolio
![Hodlezz app portfolio instructions](https://hodlezz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/toreplace.png)
![Hodlezz app coin display](https://hodlezz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/algo4-min.png)
Select the settings icon in your portfolio
Select [Add connector] from the menu
![Hodlezz app Portfolio menu](https://hodlezz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/algo5-min.png)
![Near Protocol integration in Hodlezz app](https://hodlezz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Near_ht3-min.png)
Select [NEAR Protocol] for any NEAR compatible address
Choose a name for your connector and insert your public wallet address
![Hodlezz app portfolio connector setup](https://hodlezz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/algo7-min.png)
Start tracking all your crypto assets now
Experience seamless management of your digital assets with Hodlezz: the premier app for real-time tracking and analytics of your cryptocurrencies and NFTs.