Ankr Advanced API MCP Server ⚡

Overview: What is the Ankr Advanced API MCP Server?

The Ankr Advanced API MCP Server serves as an essential bridge between complex AI systems and a wide range of blockchain data sources, facilitating seamless interaction through Model Context Protocol (MCP). This server is designed to simplify how AI applications such as Claude Desktop, Continue, Cursor, and others interact with various APIs provided by Ankr. By utilizing the standardized protocol, developers can integrate rich blockchain-based functionalities into their models without delving deeply into individual API details.

🔧 Core Features & MCP Capabilities

The core capability of the Ankr Advanced API MCP Server lies in its ability to abstract complex interactions with various blockchains, making them accessible via a unified and intuitive interface. It supports fetching token balances across multiple networks, including Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain (BSC), Polygon, Arbitrum, Avalanche, Base, Fantom, Gnosis, Linea, Optimism, and more. Additionally, it allows for retrieving the current prices of tokens on supported blockchains.

Fetching Token Balances

• Function: getAccountBalance
• Arguments:
  • address: Ethereum address (0x...) or ENS name (*.eth)
  • blockchains (optional): Array specifying which blockchains to query. If not provided, all supported chains are queried.

Retrieving Token Prices

• Function: getTokenPrice
• Arguments:
  • blockchain: The specific blockchain network.
  • contractAddress (optional): Contract address for non-native tokens; leave empty for native coin.

⚙️ MCP Architecture & Protocol Implementation

The Ankr Advanced API MCP Server leverages the Model Context Protocol to establish robust, secure, and efficient communication channels between AI applications and backend services. The protocol is designed to handle complex data requests while maintaining low latency and high throughput. The server is deployed either locally or as a remote instance, ensuring flexibility in deployment scenarios.

Remote Instance Considerations

• Remote Mode: Each client connection establishes an isolated MCP Server instance, enhancing security and performance by isolating each AI application.
• Authentication: Clients must provide an apiKey to authenticate with the Ankr Advanced API during connections.

🚀 Getting Started with Installation

To use this server effectively, follow these detailed steps:

Prerequisites

1. Ankr API Key: Obtain a free API key by signing up at ankr.com/rpc.

Configuring Cursor 🖥️

1. Open the Cursor settings.
2. Navigate to Features > MCP Servers, then click on "+ Add New MCP Server."
3. Fill in the required details:
   • Name: Provide a nickname for the server (e.g., "Ankr AAPI MCP").
   • Type: Choose "command."
   • Command: env ANKR_API_KEY=<YOUR_KEY> npx -y @asphere/aapi-mcp-server.

Use with Claude Desktop

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "aapi": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@asphere/aapi-mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "ANKR_API_KEY": "<YOUR_KEY>"
      }
    }
  }
}

💡 Key Use Cases in AI Workflows

1. Real-time Token Balance Checking: An AI model can query the balance of a user’s wallet across different blockchains, dynamically retrieving relevant information without knowing specific API structures.
2. Dynamic Price Feeds: Real-time updates on token prices can be embedded into trading algorithms or economic models within AI applications.

🔌 Integration with MCP Clients

This server is fully compatible with popular MCP clients such as Claude Desktop, Continue, and Cursor. Below is a compatibility matrix showcasing its support across various tools:

MCP Client	Resources	Tools	Prompts
Claude Desktop	✅	✅	✅
Continue	✅	✅	✅
Cursor	❌	✅	❌

📊 Performance & Compatibility Matrix

The Ankr Advanced API MCP Server boasts excellent performance metrics, with efficient data retrieval and processing capabilities. It ensures compatibility across multiple blockchain networks while maintaining high standards of security and reliability.

Sample Configuration Code

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "aapi": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@asphere/aapi-mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "ANKR_API_KEY": "<YOUR_KEY>"
      }
    }
  }
}

🛠️ Advanced Configuration & Security

For more advanced configuration and security measures, you can run the local server in isolation or enable remote access with enhanced authentication protocols.

Local Development

1. Start the SSE Server:

   export ANKR_API_KEY="YOUR-ANKR-KEY"
   pnpm dev:sse
   

2. Connect using:
   • Directly via http://localhost:3001/{apiKey}/sse
   • Or through the managed service (more secure):

     https://aapi-mcp-server.asphere.network/{ANKR-API-KEY}/sse
     

Deployment Example

When deployed, MCP clients can connect using:

type: sse
url: https://your-remote-url.com/{apiKey}/sse

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Q: Can I integrate this server with non-MCP AI applications?
   • A: While primarily designed for MCP-compliant clients, modifications and custom integrations are possible upon request through Ankr support.
2. Q: Is there a performance penalty when using the managed remote server?
   • A: The managed version offers balanced performance while ensuring high security due to isolated connections.
3. Q: What blockchains does this server currently support for balance queries?
   • A: Supports Ethereum, BSC, Polygon, Arbitrum, Avalanche, Base, Fantom, Gnosis, Linea, and Optimism mainnets and testnets.
4. Q: Can I use multiple API keys with the same MCP Server instance?
   • A: Each connection typically requires its own apiKey for secure access control.
5. Q: How do I handle rate limits on Ankr’s APIs through this server?
   • A: The server automatically manages requests to ensure compliance with Ankr's rate limits.

👨‍💻 Development & Contribution Guidelines

Contributions to the Ankr Advanced API MCP Server are welcome and can significantly enhance its performance, security, and user interface. Contributors should follow standard pull request procedures and ensure code compliance with existing standards.

🌐 MCP Ecosystem & Resources

For further information on Model Context Protocol (MCP) and related tools, visit the official documentation at modelcontextprotocol.io. Additionally, developers can explore Ankr's extensive API resources to integrate diverse blockchain functionalities into their applications.

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By adopting this detailed MCP server documentation, developers aim to optimize AI workflows and application performance, leveraging robust integration with blockchain data.