> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://polarischain-1.gitbook.io/polarischain/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://polarischain-1.gitbook.io/polarischain/8.-network-layer-and-protocol-operations/8.4-block-explorer-and-rest-api.md).

# 8.4 - Block Explorer & REST API

Each node exposes a hardened REST API for external querying and transaction submission:

| `GET /api/blocks`              | List recent blocks with pagination                   |
| ------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| `GET /api/blocks/{hash}`       | Retrieve full block details by digest                |
| `GET /api/transactions/{hash}` | Fetch transaction payload and execution status       |
| `GET /api/balances/{address}`  | Query `$POLA` and NAA holdings                       |
| `GET /api/naa/{id}`            | Retrieve asset metadata and current ownership        |
| `POST /api/transactions`       | Submit a signed transaction to the local queue       |
| `POST /api/faucet`             | Request testnet tokens (enabled only in faucet mode) |

All public endpoints are protected by a per-IP rate limiter (configurable; default: 100 requests per 60-second window). Loopback traffic is exempted to prevent local CLI/explorer traffic from exhausting remote client quotas. Public-facing listeners **require TLS in release builds**; binding a non-loopback address without a valid certificate triggers a clean startup exit.


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