What Is Blockfrost?
Blockfrost is a developer API for the Cardano blockchain. Launched in 2020, it lets developers query on-chain data, submit transactions, and interact with IPFS without running their own Cardano node.
Today, Blockfrost powers thousands of projects across the Cardano ecosystem: wallets, DEXs, NFT marketplaces, governance platforms, and analytics tools. It has become core infrastructure, handling millions of API requests daily.
But a centralized API serving a decentralized blockchain creates a single point of failure. The IceBreakers program was built to solve that.
What Are IceBreakers?
IceBreakers is Blockfrost's incentivized, profit-sharing program for Cardano Stake Pool Operators (SPOs) and node operators. As an IceBreaker, you run the Blockfrost Platform software on your existing relay infrastructure. Your node joins the Blockfrost cluster and starts serving real API requests from developers.
In return, you earn a share of the revenue generated by those requests.
The result: Blockfrost's API becomes decentralized across dozens of operator-run nodes instead of relying on centralized infrastructure. Developers get faster, more resilient API access. SPOs get a new revenue stream from infrastructure they're already running.
In January 2024, Input Output Global (IOG) made a strategic investment in Five Binaries' Blockfrost API, specifically to support this transition toward a decentralized, community-operated model. IceBreakers is how that vision becomes operational.
Why Join the IceBreakers Program
Cardano SPOs already invest in servers, bandwidth, and uptime to produce blocks and earn staking rewards. IceBreakers lets you put that same infrastructure to work a second time by serving API traffic for Blockfrost, creating an entirely new revenue stream without purchasing additional hardware.
The program also addresses a structural problem in the Cardano ecosystem. Thousands of dApps, wallets, and governance platforms depend on the Blockfrost API for on-chain data. When that API runs on centralized infrastructure, it introduces a single point of failure into an otherwise decentralized network. IceBreakers distributes that infrastructure across independent, SPO-operated nodes, bringing the API layer in line with the decentralization principles of the blockchain it serves.
Here is a summary of what IceBreakers offers operators:
| Benefit | What It Means for You |
|---|---|
| Earn revenue | Profit-sharing model based on API requests your node serves. Revenue is tracked automatically and distributed to your rewards address, on top of your existing staking rewards. |
| Strengthen the network | Your node becomes part of a geographically distributed fleet. More nodes means lower latency for developers, higher uptime for the API, and elimination of single points of failure. |
| Use existing hardware | The Blockfrost Platform runs alongside your existing Cardano relay. If you have spare CPU, RAM, and disk capacity, you already meet the infrastructure requirements. |
| Shape the product | IceBreakers are early adopters. You participate in testing new releases, provide feedback on performance and usability, and influence the roadmap for Blockfrost's decentralized future. |
| Build your reputation | Running critical ecosystem infrastructure demonstrates technical competence and community commitment, qualities that attract delegators and strengthen your pool's brand. |
How it works
The Blockfrost Platform is an open-source collection of software that transforms your Cardano node into a high-performance JSON API endpoint. The platform is written in Rust for efficiency and reliability, and it integrates directly with your Cardano node's data to serve responses to API queries.
When you join the IceBreakers fleet, your node connects to the Blockfrost cluster and begins processing real API requests from the thousands of developers who build on blockfrost.io. These are the same production requests that currently power wallets, DEXs, NFT marketplaces, governance platforms, and analytics tools across the Cardano ecosystem.
The Architecture
The system works through a four-stage request lifecycle. Understanding each stage helps clarify what your node does and how revenue flows back to you:
| Stage | What Happens | Who Is Responsible |
|---|---|---|
| 1. API request | A developer queries Blockfrost for on-chain data (pool info, transaction details, block data, IPFS content, etc.) | Developer / dApp |
| 2. Request routing | The Blockfrost Gateway evaluates node health, geographic proximity, current load, and latency, then routes the request to the best available IceBreaker node | Blockfrost Gateway |
| 3. Request processing | Your node receives the request, queries its local Cardano node data, and returns a JSON response to the developer | Your IceBreaker node |
| 4. Revenue tracking | Each successfully served request is logged. Revenue is calculated and distributed to your rewards address based on request volume and performance | Blockfrost revenue system |
The platform handles the API layer, caching, request routing, and metrics collection. You provide the Cardano node access and compute resources. This separation of concerns means you do not need to worry about API versioning, client authentication, or rate limiting; those layers are managed upstream by the Blockfrost infrastructure.
The Blockfrost Gateway also handles failover. If your node goes offline for maintenance or encounters an issue, the Gateway automatically reroutes traffic to other healthy nodes in the fleet. This means temporary downtime on your end does not affect developer experience or your standing in the program.
What You Need to Participate
IceBreakers is designed for operators who already run Cardano infrastructure. The program does not require specialized hardware or exotic configurations. Here is what you need:
- Cardano relay node: You need a running, fully synced Cardano relay with spare compute capacity (CPU, RAM, and disk). The Blockfrost Platform runs alongside your existing node software without interfering with block production.
- Time commitment: Plan for approximately 2+ hours per week for monitoring, software updates, and occasional troubleshooting. The initial setup typically takes a few hours depending on your chosen installation method.
- Rewards address: You will need a Cardano address where your share of revenue will be distributed. This can be any standard payment address you control.
- Discord account: IceBreakers coordination, onboarding, and support happen through the Blockfrost Discord. This is where you receive announcements, report issues, and connect with other operators.
- Technical experience: Intermediate experience with Linux server administration, Cardano node operation, and command-line tools is expected. The application asks you to self-assess as beginner, intermediate, or advanced.
Already an SPO? If you're running relays for your stake pool, you likely already meet every requirement listed above. The Blockfrost Platform is designed to coexist with your existing Cardano node setup, so you can be serving API requests within hours of approval.
How to Get Started
Joining the IceBreakers program is a four-step process. The Blockfrost team reviews each application individually to ensure operators meet the technical requirements and can maintain reliable uptime.
| Step | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Apply | Fill out the IceBreakers application form | You will provide your first name, email, SPO ticker, Discord username, and self-assessed experience level (beginner, intermediate, or advanced). The form also asks about your interest in building with Blockfrost and collects optional product feedback. |
| 2. Onboarding | Get approved and onboarded via Discord | The Blockfrost team reviews applications and reaches out to approved operators through Discord. You receive access to private documentation, support channels, and any necessary credentials for connecting to the cluster. |
| 3. Install | Deploy the Blockfrost Platform on your relay | Follow the platform documentation to install and configure the software. Multiple installation methods are supported: official installers, building from source, Nix for reproducible deployments, and Docker for containerized environments. |
| 4. Go live | Connect to the Blockfrost cluster | Once installed, connect your node to the fleet. The Blockfrost team verifies connectivity and performance. After verification, your node begins serving real API requests and earning revenue immediately. |
Ready to turn your Cardano relay into a revenue-generating API node?
Deployment Options
The Blockfrost Platform supports two deployment models depending on your goals. Both use the same underlying software; the difference is whether your node participates in the public Blockfrost fleet or runs as an isolated, private instance.
| Join the Fleet | Run Independently | |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Connect your node to the Blockfrost cluster. Your node serves API requests as part of the decentralized network. | Deploy a private Blockfrost instance with complete control. Your own API endpoint, your own data, no cluster dependency. |
| Revenue | Yes. Earn a share of revenue from requests your node processes. | No. You fund and operate the instance independently. |
| Traffic source | Real production traffic from blockfrost.io developers | Your own applications and services only |
| Maintenance | ~2 hours/week monitoring + software updates | Self-managed, frequency depends on your use case |
| Support | Discord community + Blockfrost team onboarding | Documentation + community forums |
| Best for | SPOs who want to monetize existing infrastructure and contribute to Cardano decentralization | Developers who need a local API environment, enterprises with data sovereignty requirements, or teams testing in isolated environments |
Installation Methods
Regardless of which deployment model you choose, the platform can be installed using any of the following methods. Each method produces the same functional result; choose based on your existing infrastructure and operational preferences:
| Method | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Official installers | Pre-built packages for supported operating systems. Fastest path to a running instance. | Operators who want a quick setup with minimal configuration |
| Build from source | Clone the GitHub repository and build with Cargo (Rust toolchain). | Operators who want to audit the code or customize the build |
| Nix | Declarative, reproducible build and deployment using Nix flakes. | NixOS users or operators with Nix-based infrastructure management |
| Docker | Containerized deployment with Docker Compose for orchestration. | Operators running containerized infrastructure or Kubernetes clusters |
Full installation guides, configuration references, and troubleshooting documentation are available in the Blockfrost Platform documentation. The quickstart guide is the recommended starting point for new operators.
What's Next for IceBreakers
IceBreakers is actively evolving. The public roadmap on GitHub tracks upcoming features, milestones, and priorities in real time. The program is still in its early stages, which means operators who join now have an outsized opportunity to shape the platform's direction and establish themselves as founding members of the fleet.
Currently in development: the Blockfrost Gateway for intelligent request routing with geographic load balancing and automatic failover, transparent revenue tracking and distribution, fleet expansion across diverse geographies, real-time operator dashboards for monitoring node health and earnings, and multi-network support to broaden the scope of API traffic your node can serve.
FAQ
What is the IceBreakers program? IceBreakers is Blockfrost's incentivized program where Cardano SPOs and node operators run decentralized API nodes, serve real developer traffic, and earn a share of the revenue generated.
Do I need new hardware to participate? No. If you're already running a Cardano relay node, you likely have the infrastructure. The Blockfrost Platform runs alongside your existing node software using spare compute capacity.
How much time does it take? The initial setup follows the platform documentation and typically takes a few hours. Ongoing maintenance requires roughly 2+ hours per week for monitoring and updates.
How do I earn revenue? Revenue is shared based on the API requests your node successfully processes. The Blockfrost Gateway routes developer requests to your node, and earnings are tracked and distributed to your rewards address.
Do I need to be an SPO? SPOs are the primary target, but any Cardano node operator with relay access and spare compute resources can apply. The program is currently focused on onboarding SPOs first.
Can I run the platform privately without joining the fleet?Yes. The "Run Independently" deployment option lets you run a private Blockfrost instance with complete control. You won't earn revenue from the fleet, but you get your own dedicated API endpoint.
Where do I get help? Join the Blockfrost Discord for community support, or email support@blockfrost.io for direct assistance.
