# Stellar API FAQ

> Frequently asked questions about the Stellar API

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](/docs/llms.txt).

## What is Stellar?
Stellar is an open-source, decentralized blockchain network designed for fast, low-cost financial transactions and asset tokenization. It features Soroban, a smart contract platform built on Rust and WebAssembly (WASM), offering 5-second finality and a developer-friendly environment for building decentralized applications.

## How do I get started with Stellar?
See the [Stellar API quickstart guide](/docs/reference/stellar-api-quickstart) to start building on Stellar.

## What is the Stellar API?
The Stellar API lets you send JSON-RPC 2.0 requests to Alchemy's Stellar RPC endpoint. You can use it to inspect network configuration, read ledger state, fetch transactions, and work with Stellar-specific onchain data.

## Is Stellar EVM compatible?
No. Stellar is not an EVM chain. Soroban smart contracts on Stellar are deployed as WebAssembly (Wasm), and Stellar's native smart contract tooling is built around Soroban rather than the EVM.

## What API does Stellar use?
Stellar uses Stellar RPC over JSON-RPC 2.0. The request format is JSON-RPC, but the methods and data structures are Stellar-specific. For methods that accept parameters, Stellar RPC expects named parameter objects rather than positional arrays.

## What methods are supported on Stellar?
Alchemy's Stellar API exposes Stellar RPC methods rather than Ethereum JSON-RPC methods. Examples include `getNetwork`, `getLatestLedger`, `getLedgerEntries`, `getLedgers`, `getTransactions`, `getEvents`, `getFeeStats`, and `getVersionInfo`.

## What is a Stellar API key?
When you access the Stellar network through a node provider like Alchemy, you use an API key to send requests and retrieve data. We recommend you [sign up for a free API key](https://dashboard.alchemy.com/signup).

## Which libraries support Stellar?
For JavaScript applications, use the official [`stellar-sdk`](https://www.npmjs.com/package/stellar-sdk), which supports both Stellar RPC and Horizon. Stellar also has SDKs and client libraries for other languages in the wider ecosystem.

## Where can I get more help?
If you have questions or feedback, contact us at support@alchemy.com or open a ticket in the [Alchemy Dashboard](https://dashboard.alchemy.com).