Overview
Chainstack is a node hosting provider that runs blockchain nodes for software teams, so they can connect their apps to a blockchain without running the hardware themselves. A node is a computer that keeps a copy of the blockchain and passes transactions on to the network. Chainstack sets the node up, keeps it running, and hands the team a web address their app can send requests to1.
Chainstack added Cardano in May 2025, offering dedicated nodes on the main Cardano network (mainnet) and on the test network (testnet) that developers use for trial runs2,1. The company was started in 2018 by Eugene Aseev and Laurent Dedenis and has its headquarters in Singapore3. Its node selector covers many other blockchains as well, including Bitcoin and Solana1. Chainstack is one of Cardano's API providers, the services apps use to read and write blockchain data, and aims its service at teams building wallets, analytics tools and integrations that want steady network access without maintaining servers1.
Key Features
- A node that serves one team only. Each Chainstack dedicated node runs on its own isolated infrastructure, and the customer controls its configuration, network access and data privacy, rather than sharing a machine with other customers1.
- A flat price instead of a meter. Chainstack bills Cardano nodes for computing power and storage rather than per request, so an app that reads the blockchain constantly does not run up a bigger bill for each call2.
- Choice of cloud and region. Teams can deploy their Cardano node on the cloud provider and in the region they prefer, through the Chainstack console or by contacting the sales team2.
- A dashboard to watch the node. Chainstack's user dashboard shows request counts, response times and system health as they happen, so a team can spot slowdowns and adjust how its app uses the node1.
- Independent compliance checks. Chainstack holds SOC 2 and ISO/IEC 27001 certifications, two independent reviews of its information-security controls, and shares a preview of its SOC 2 report on request4.
What to Expect
Developers start in the Chainstack console, the account dashboard where nodes are created. The Cardano page describes the steps: add a node, pick Cardano and either mainnet or testnet, and deploy it1. Chainstack's support team then processes the request, which typically takes one to two business days1. Once the node shows as running, the console lists HTTPS and WebSocket addresses, two standard ways an app exchanges data over the internet, to paste into the project1.
Cardano works differently from many chains Chainstack serves. Cardano has no native JSON-RPC, the request format common on Ethereum-style blockchains, so the node is reached through Cardano's own command-line tool and its GraphQL and REST interfaces, two common formats apps use to request data1,2. Chainstack's Cardano notes recommend PyCardano for Python and the Cardano JS SDK for JavaScript and TypeScript, both toolkits for building Cardano transactions1.
Dedicated nodes require a Pro plan or higher, with monthly or annual billing. The Cardano page compares its monthly price with the cost of renting equivalent servers from a cloud provider directly, and lists separate prices for full nodes and archive nodes, which keep the complete transaction history1. Enterprise customers get a 99.9% uptime agreement, a written promise about how often the node will be reachable1.
The service is built for teams writing software rather than for people who simply hold ADA.
