Sui Blockchain has rolled out the full beta version of gRPC support for its Full Nodes, signaling a major leap forward in its efforts to modernize blockchain data access. This latest upgrade, as conveyed by the Sui Foundation, reflects the network’s ambition to offer a faster, more developer-centric, and reliable interface for interacting with blockchain data.
The addition of gRPC, a high-efficiency communication protocol widely used in contemporary distributed systems, is expected to replace the more traditional JSON-RPC in the long term. This transition is being framed as part of Sui’s broader vision to revamp how blockchain data is served and consumed. gRPC brings several key advantages over JSON-RPC, including strong typing, automatic client generation across diverse programming languages, and compact binary serialization via Protocol Buffers (Protobuf).
Developer-Focused Services and Real-Time Capabilities
With the current beta release, Sui has made available a wide array of services tailored to developers. These include MovePackageService, TransactionExecutionService, and SignatureVerificationService, each aimed at supporting diverse use cases from transaction simulation to validation and execution.
One of the more impactful features in this release is the SubscriptionService, which enables server-side streaming APIs. This allows developers, exchange operators, indexers, and RPC providers to subscribe to real-time on-chain events, eliminating the need for inefficient polling methods. This functionality enhances real-time data synchronization and is particularly valuable for use cases that depend on instant updates, such as trading platforms and analytics dashboards.
A Gradual Shift from JSON-RPC to gRPC
The Sui Foundation has outlined that gRPC is not merely an enhancement but is poised to become the canonical API standard for Full Nodes. This means JSON-RPC will be phased out over time, with gRPC offering superior capabilities in terms of lower latency, more expressive semantics, and improved scalability. Developers are encouraged to begin transitioning their infrastructure, and Sui has provided detailed documentation and proto files on GitHub to support this migration.
Accessing blockchain data on Sui just got easier.
We’ve launched full beta support for gRPC – a modern, high-speed API protocol.
Built for real-time streaming and typed access in Rust, Go, TypeScript & more.
It’s the future of Sui data – and will replace JSON-RPC as the… pic.twitter.com/gmJP1j7Naj
— Sui (@SuiNetwork) July 24, 2025
The move to gRPC enables developers to build more responsive and efficient applications. From simulating and executing transactions to monitoring user behavior in real time, the gRPC architecture opens up new possibilities for application design. For exchanges, the update promises quicker transaction execution and verification, while indexers and data providers can maintain robust APIs through a combination of live subscriptions and batch querying.
Strategic Vision for Next-Gen Blockchain Infrastructure
This technological shift aligns with Sui’s roadmap for reshaping blockchain data infrastructure. Part of this vision includes a deliberate separation between raw and derived data, as well as parallel support for batch and streaming APIs. Additionally, the foundation is laying the groundwork for a next-generation indexer framework that can meet the demands of increasingly complex Web3 applications.
The beta release of gRPC support marks a foundational milestone in Sui’s evolution. By enabling scalable, high-performance data access and real-time interactivity, the update positions the platform to better support future decentralized applications and services within the Web3 ecosystem.
