NEAR Intents
NEAR Intents is an intent-centric infrastructure developed on the NEAR Protocol. It is designed to simplify Web3 interactions by allowing users to specify high-level objectives, referred to as intents, rather than constructing low-level transactions directly. This approach abstracts technical complexity and provides a structured pathway for executing decentralized operations. [1] [2] [8] [12]
Overview
NEAR Intents replaces traditional transaction signing workflows with a model based on intent declarations. Instead of managing the detailed aspects of wallets, gas fees, and smart contract calls, a user’s expressed intent (for example, to exchange one token for another) is processed by off-chain solvers. These solvers interpret the intent and generate the corresponding transactions for on-chain execution.
The system provides a model that is both permissionless and composable. It supports integration across multiple use cases, including decentralized finance (DeFi), gaming, governance, and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). The framework is considered an integral component of the broader chain abstraction strategy associated with the NEAR Protocol. [1] [3] [5] [7] [8] [9] [13]
History
The concept of NEAR Intents emerged in 2023 as part of an initiative to enhance the accessibility of Web3. The project was introduced by the NEAR Foundation in collaboration with the ZK-powered solver marketplace, Zingo Labs. Initial deployments focused on standard use cases, such as token exchanges and non-fungible token (NFT) purchases, by abstracting wallet management and simplifying on-chain operations.
In 2024, NEAR Intents expanded its adoption within the ecosystem with additional integrations into the Blockchain Operating System (BOS) frontends and various third-party platforms. These developments increased interoperability and positioned NEAR Intents as a component utilized in several pilot decentralized applications (dApps) and user flows. [4] [6] [10] [11]
Technology
Core Concepts
NEAR Intents was founded by NEAR Protocol on the concept of intent specification. Rather than providing detailed, step-by-step instructions, users declare their desired outcomes. These declarations, expressed typically as structured JSON objects, are processed off-chain by entities known as solvers. Solvers are responsible for constructing valid on-chain transactions based on the provided intents by leveraging available smart contract logic, on-chain liquidity, and external data sources.
Components
- Intent: A structured representation, commonly in JSON format, outlining the user's intended outcome.
- Solver: An off-chain agent that interprets the intent, assembles appropriate transactions, and facilitates their execution on-chain.
- Authorization Layer: Protocol mechanisms, such as session keys or delegated access, which allow solvers to operate on behalf of users in a controlled and secure manner.
- Execution Environment: The interface through which NEAR smart contracts, BOS frontends, and external protocols interoperate, including potential support for multichain operations via chain abstraction.
Protocol Design
NEAR Intents operates on a modular architecture that separates the definition of user intent, the logic contained in solvers, and the process of executing transactions. The design supports composability, enabling various solvers or services to integrate and specialize in distinct operational domains such as financial transactions or identity management.
The protocol incorporates three fundamental properties:
- Permissionless: The creation of intents and registration of solvers are open to all participants.
- Composable: Intents can be structured in chains or nested configurations to implement more complex workflows.
- Interoperable: The protocol is designed to extend support to multichain environments through chain abstraction frameworks. [1] [3] [4] [8] [9] [14] [12] [15]
Use Cases
NEAR Intents is applicable in a range of scenarios:
- Token Exchanges: Facilitates the execution of token swaps without necessitating direct engagement with decentralized exchange interfaces.
- User Onboarding: Provides a structured process for new users to acquire crypto assets or interact with dApps without managing seed phrases or wallets.
- DAO Operations: Supports the automation of processes such as proposal submission, voting, and funding within decentralized autonomous organizations.
- Gaming: Enables secure in-game asset exchanges and quest completions without requiring detailed management of blockchain transactions.
- Cross-Chain Functionality: Supports activities that involve transferring tokens or managing positions across multiple blockchain networks through chain abstraction.
Ecosystem
NEAR Intents has been integrated into various projects and decentralized applications within the NEAR ecosystem. Key contributions have originated from the NEAR Foundation and Zingo Labs, with additional support from community participants. The integration of NEAR Intents into the BOS further enhances the user interface for interacting with decentralized applications.
Data tracking platforms, including Flipside Crypto and Dune Analytics, have been monitoring the system’s performance in terms of transaction success rates, gas fee optimizations, and solver efficiency as of early 2025.
NEAR Intents belongs to a broader movement toward intent-based user experiences in Web3. Similar in concept to models such as Ethereum’s account abstraction and Cosmos’s interchain accounts, NEAR Intents distinguishes itself through its focus on chain abstraction and support for full-stack developer tooling. Its framework allows for customizable authorization and modular intent declarations, positioning it as a versatile solution within the decentralized landscape.
Future Developments
The NEAR Protocol’s long-term strategy incorporates NEAR Intents as a foundational element of chain abstraction, where user interactions are simplified to high-level goals. Planned developments include:
