Learn more
We're thrilled to power the auth for Magic Eden and hundreds of thousands of NFT enthusiasts on its platform!
Table of contents
Achieving mass adoption has been a significant challenge for the crypto industry. However, continuous progress is being made by some of the most influential names in the space. Solana, known for its high-speed and low-cost transactions, has recently introduced a feature called "Blinks" that allow users to perform various on-chain actions via shareable links.
By making the entire process as easy as clicking a URL, Blinks remove much of the complexity surrounding crypto transactions and interactions with dApps. Additionally, Blinks create a more integrated and interactive user experience overall. This blog post dives into everything you need to know about Solana Blinks, from how they work to how you can integrate them into your projects.
Blinks, short for blockchain links, are a recent innovation introduced by the Solana Foundation. Similar to Farcaster frames, Blinks turn Solana Actions into shareable URLs that can be distributed anywhere across the internet. These links contain embedded on-chain transactions, enabling direct execution from the link itself.
This functionality allows users to interact with the Solana blockchain without needing to get started with complicated dApps. By simply clicking on a Blink, users can execute various transactions such as sending tokens, voting on governance proposals, or purchasing NFTs. All without leaving their browser or social media platform.
Blinks build on top of Solana Actions, which are APIs that deliver signable transactions from an app directly to a user. Blinks enhance Actions by adding additional user capabilities, making them easier to share, and providing more customization around inputted metadata.
When a user clicks a Blink, the URL triggers a series of HTTP requests to the Solana blockchain. These requests gather the necessary metadata and create a signable transaction or message, which the user can approve directly from their Solana wallet. If signed, the transaction is completed without ever having to leave the original site.
For example, a Blink might look something like this: solana-action:<link>. This <link> contains all of the necessary transaction details, granting a seamless and interactive process for each user. This resembles "connecting" your wallet to a dApp, but it provides a more familiar and secure user experience.
Here’s an example of what a live Blink looks like from Raydium:
Blinks offer several benefits to both inexperienced and veteran on-chain users:
As a result, Blinks are being used for a wide range of use cases. You can view a growing directory of existing Solana Blinks here!
With the help of developer tools provided by Solana, integrating Blinks into your projects is straightforward. Here’s how you can do so in 4 steps:
For detailed integration instructions, developers can refer to the official Solana documentation. If you are building on Solana or utilizing Blinks, reach out to Dynamic to learn more!
Share this article