Beginner3 min read

Introduction

Learn about Nacho API, the simplest way to interact with the Cardano blockchain

Nacho API provides instant access to Cardano blockchain data through a simple, powerful API. Whether you're building a wallet, DeFi application, or blockchain explorer, we handle the infrastructure so you can focus on building.

Why Nacho API?

Running your own Cardano node requires significant resources:

Storage: 100+ GB for the blockchain database
Memory: 16+ GB RAM recommended
Sync Time: Days to sync from genesis
Maintenance: Regular updates and monitoring

With Nacho API, you get:

Instant Access: Start querying in minutes, not days
Always Synced: We keep nodes up-to-date 24/7
High Availability: Multiple relay nodes for redundancy
Simple Pricing: Pay only for what you use
Multi-Network: Same API key works on Mainnet and Preprod Testnet

What Can You Build?

Popular Use Cases

Wallets: Query balances, UTxOs, and submit transactions
DeFi Protocols: Access stake pool data and protocol parameters
NFT Marketplaces: Track tokens and metadata
Analytics Dashboards: Real-time blockchain metrics
Developer Tools: Testing and debugging Cardano applications

Powered by Ogmios

Under the hood, Nacho API uses Ogmios, a lightweight bridge interface for Cardano nodes. Ogmios provides:

JSON-RPC 2.0 protocol for easy integration
WebSocket support for real-time updates
HTTP endpoints for simple queries
Chain synchronization for following the blockchain

Supported Networks

Network	Endpoint	Use Case
Mainnet	`/v1/ogmios`	Production applications
Preprod Testnet	`/v1/preprod/ogmios`	Development and testing

Your API key works on both networks - just change the URL path.

API Tiers

Feature	FREE	PAID
Networks	Mainnet & Preprod	Mainnet & Preprod
Rate Limit	100 req/s	500 req/s
Daily Requests	100,000	Unlimited
WebSocket Connections	5	50
Transaction Submissions	10/hour	Unlimited
Support	Community	Priority

Next Steps

Ready to get started? Here's what to do next:

Learn more about Ogmios

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