MCP: The Bridge between Web3 and Large Language Models

MCP (Model-Context Protocol) is an open protocol that provides a standardized way for large language models to safely access external tools, data sources, and services. Unlike traditional plugin systems, MCP adopts a client-server architecture, achieving seamless integration between models and external systems through standardized protocol interfaces.

Core Advantages of MC

• Standardized Interface: Defines a unified protocol specification to avoid each application needing to develop independent integration solutions.
• Security: Ensures secure access to external tools through strict permission control and sandbox mechanisms.
• Scalability: Supports a variety of tool types, from simple API calls to complex data processing workflows.
• Interoperability: Any client that supports MCP can use compatible services to achieve true cross-platform compatibility.

Web3 and MCP Application Scenarios

In the Web3 space, MCP can provide large language models with rich blockchain interaction capabilities:

• Asset Inquiry: Check various token balances and transaction history
• On-chain operations: sending transactions, deploying contracts, calling smart contracts
• DeFi Integration: Interacting with decentralized exchanges, lending protocols, liquidity mining, and other DeFi applications.
• Cross-chain operation: supports multi-chain asset management and cross-chain transfer
• NFT Management: Query, Transfer, Trade NFT Assets

This article will build a simple Web3 MCP service using nodejs+typescript, explaining the working principle of MCP and best practices.

Create Project

1. Create a project folder and initialize the project
2. Install the necessary software packages
3. Add TypeScript configuration and adjust according to personal needs.
4. Modify the package.json configuration

Writing a Server

Taking the getBalance of the sepolia test network as an example, we created a tool:

1. Register an account, activate node services, obtain rpcUrl, then instantiate the provider.
2. Write Tool Logic
3. Start the service and add error handling

At this point, a basic MCP service has been completed.

Debugging Service

Package and generate the js file, then execute modelcontextprotocol/inspector for debugging.

Improve logic and integrate

Improve more features, such as supporting multiple EVM networks, querying gas, sending transactions, querying token information, and other common methods. After packaging, it can be used in applications that support MC, such as the smart IDE Cursor.

Usage Example

In Cursor's AI assistant, you can interact with the codebase using natural language. For example:

• "Check the balance of address 0xE21E97Ad8B527acb90F0b148EfaFbA46625382cE on sepolia"
• "Transfer 0.1 ETH to address 0x2c1d9ef7ccede70d77e6038701cd63138dd920a0"

Future Outlook

The combination of MCP and Web3 opens up a new world full of possibilities for us. Directions that can be explored in the future include:

• Supports more blockchains (such as Bitcoin, Solana, TRON)
• Implement cross-chain operations, such as converting assets between different chains.
• Integrate more DeFi protocols
• Develop a complex cross-chain asset management system

The integration of Web3 and MCP will make complex blockchain operations simple and intuitive, achievable through a simple conversation. This technological combination will bring revolutionary changes to the development and use of blockchain applications.