MCP Etherscan Server: Empowering AI Applications with Ethereum Blockchain Data Tools

Overview: What is MCP Etherscan Server?

The MCP (Model Context Protocol) Etherscan Server is an essential component for integrating real-time Ethereum blockchain data into various AI applications. This server leverages Etherscan's API to provide a suite of tools that can be accessed via the Model Context Protocol, enabling seamless communication with AI clients like Claude Desktop, Continue, and Cursor.

🔧 Core Features & MCP Capabilities

This server excels in providing comprehensive Ethereum blockchain data tools, including balance checking, transaction history viewing, ERC20 token transfers tracking, contract ABI fetching, monitoring gas prices, and resolving ENS names. Each feature is exposed through MCP endpoints, making it easy for AI applications to interact with these data points and streamline their workflows.

Balance Checking

• Input: Ethereum address
• Output: ETH balance in both Wei and ETH

Transaction History

• Input: Ethereum address (optional limit)
• Output: Recent transactions with timestamps, values, and addresses

Token Transfers

• Input: Ethereum address (optional limit)
• Output: Recent ERC20 token transfers with token details

Contract ABI

• Input: Contract address
• Output: Contract ABI in JSON format

Gas Prices

• Input: None
• Output: Current gas prices in Gwei

ENS Resolution

• Input: Ethereum address
• Output: Associated ENS name if available

These features are designed to be compatible with AI applications, providing them with the flexibility to work with blockchain data as needed.

⚙️ MCP Architecture & Protocol Implementation

The MCP Etherscan Server is built using Node.js and implements the Model Context Protocol for communication. It seamlessly integrates into the broader ecosystem of AI tools by allowing users to connect and utilize blockchain data without needing deep technical expertise.

Client Compatibility Matrix

MCP Client	Resources	Tools	Prompts	Status
Claude Desktop	✅	✅	✅	Full Support
Continue	✅	✅	✅	Full Support
Cursor	❌	✅	❌	Tools Only

For developers, this matrix indicates which specific tools and features are supported by each MCP client.

🚀 Getting Started with Installation

Prerequisites

• Node.js >= 18
• An Etherscan API key (get one at https://etherscan.io/apis)

Steps to Install

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone [your-repo-url]
   cd mcp-etherscan-server
   

2. Install dependencies:

   npm install
   

3. Create a .env file in the root directory with your Etherscan API key.
4. Build the project:

   npm run build
   

💡 Key Use Cases in AI Workflows

Real-time Balance Checking for Financial Applications

AI financial applications can use this server to check and update user balances in real time, ensuring accurate account information.

Monitoring Transaction History for Compliance Systems

Compliance systems can continuously monitor transaction history for suspicious activities, providing a layer of security and transparency.

Tracking Token Transfers for Crypto Auditors

Crypto auditors need to track token transfers for auditing purposes. This server provides the necessary tools to trace these transactions.

🔌 Integration with MCP Clients

To integrate this server into an AI application like Claude Desktop:

1. Start the server using npm start.
2. In Claude Desktop:
   • Go to Settings
   • Navigate to the MCP Servers section
   • Click "Add Server"
   • Enter the following configuration:

     {
       "name": "Etherscan Tools",
       "transport": "stdio",
       "command": "node /path/to/mcp-etherscan-server/build/index.js"
     }
     

3. Save the configuration and start using the tools.

Example Usage in Claude

Check the balance of 0x742d35Cc6634C0532925a3b844Bc454e4438f44e

or

Show me recent transactions for vitalik.eth

📊 Performance & Compatibility Matrix

The performance of the MCP Etherscan Server ensures fast and reliable data retrieval, making it suitable for high-frequency applications. The server is compatible with multiple clients such as Claude Desktop, Continue, and Cursor.

MCP Protocol Flow Diagram

graph TD
    A[AI Application] -->|MCP Client| B[MCP Protocol]
    B --> C[MCP Server]
    C --> D[Data Source/Tool]
    style A fill:#e1f5fe
    style C fill:#f3e5f5
    style D fill:#e8f5e8

🛠️ Advanced Configuration & Security

MCP Configuration Sample

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "etherscan-tools": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-etherscan"],
      "env": {
        "ETHERSCAN_API_KEY": "your_api_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Secure API Key Management

Using environment variables ensures that sensitive API keys are securely managed. Ensure that API keys are not hard-coded within the application.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I integrate this server with other MCP clients?
   • Yes, this server is compatible with multiple MCP clients such as Claude Desktop and Continue.
2. How do I set up ENS name resolution?
   • Simply input an Ethereum address to resolve the associated ENS name if available.
3. What are the potential security concerns when using this server?
   • Securely manage API keys and limit access to sensitive functions via proper role-based access control.
4. Can I extend or modify existing tools in this server?
   • Yes, modifications can be made by editing the src/server.ts file and building the project again.
5. Are there any limitations for real-time data retrieval?
   • The performance is optimized for real-time data retrieval; however, API rate limits may apply from Etherscan.

👨‍💻 Development & Contribution Guidelines

Contributions are welcome! If you're interested in contributing:

1. Fork the repository and set up a development environment locally.
2. Make changes or add new features as needed.
3. Build your project using npm run build.
4. Once ready, submit a pull request.

🌐 MCP Ecosystem & Resources

For more information about MCP Protocol and other relevant resources:

• Model Context Protocol Documentation
• MCP Etherscan Server GitHub Repository

By integrating the MCP Etherscan Server into your AI application, you can significantly enhance its capabilities through robust and reliable blockchain data tools.