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# System prepended metadata

title: NEAR

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### NEAR: Building Scalable Decentralized Applications

NEAR Protocol serves as a blockchain platform with a core focus on facilitating the creation of decentralized applications (DApps). 

With a focus on usability, performance, and developer-friendliness, NEAR empowers developers to build DApps that can handle large user bases without compromising on speed and security. 
 

**Running a NEAR Node on Dappnode and Contributing to the Network**

Operating a NEAR node on Dappnode allows you to actively contribute to the NEAR network's security and functionality.

As a node operator, you participate in validating transactions, securing the network, and maintaining consensus, while contributing to the decentralized ecosystem.
