Building an App from Scratch – Ethereum 2 Beacon Chain Validator Leaderboard

Creating a decentralized application (dApp) that interacts with blockchain data might seem daunting, but with the right tools and workflow, it's entirely achievable—even for beginners. This guide walks you through building a real-world app from the ground up: a Beacon Chain validator leaderboard for Ethereum 2.0, complete with live stats and performance rankings.

Whether you're preparing for a hackathon like ETHDenver or just want to deepen your Web3 development skills, this project will teach you how to fetch, process, and display blockchain data efficiently and beautifully.

What You’ll Build

The final product is a responsive web app that:

Displays active Ethereum 2.0 validators on the Beacon Chain
Shows key validator metrics (e.g., balance, status, performance)
Ranks validators in a dynamic leaderboard
Updates in real time based on chain data

You’ll learn not only how to connect to Ethereum but also how to structure your frontend for speed and scalability—without sacrificing design quality.

Step 1: Connect to the Ethereum Blockchain

To interact with Ethereum, you need access to a node. Running your own node is resource-intensive, so most developers use a Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service like QuickNode or public gateways.

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Using an RPC provider allows your app to send queries to the Ethereum network and retrieve data such as validator states, balances, and consensus layer information. The Beacon Chain API (also known as the Consensus Layer API) exposes endpoints like /eth/v1/beacon/states/head/validators which return validator datasets in JSON format.

You’ll use ethers.js later to streamline interactions, but first, set up your development environment.

Step 2: Set Up Your Development Stack

This project uses modern tools that accelerate development while maintaining performance:

Next.js – The React Framework for Production

Next.js provides server-side rendering, API routes, and file-based routing out of the box. It’s ideal for dApps because it supports both static generation and dynamic data fetching.

Start by creating a new project:

npx create-next-app@latest validator-leaderboard

Tailwind CSS – Utility-First Styling

Tailwind enables rapid UI development with low-level utility classes. Instead of writing custom CSS, you apply styles directly in JSX using responsive, composable classes.

Install it via:

npm install -D tailwindcss postcss autoprefixer
npx tailwindcss init -p

daisyUI – Component Library on Top of Tailwind

daisyUI gives you pre-built components like cards, tables, and buttons styled with Tailwind. It dramatically speeds up frontend creation without locking you into rigid designs.

Add it:

npm i daisyui

Then include it in your tailwind.config.js.

Step 3: Manage Secrets Securely

Never expose sensitive data like RPC URLs in client-side code. Store them in a .env.local file:

NEXT_PUBLIC_QUICKNODE_RPC_URL=https://your-ethereum-endpoint.quiknode.pro/

Next.js automatically loads this file and makes prefixed variables (NEXT_PUBLIC_) available in the browser. This keeps your backend credentials secure while allowing safe access to necessary APIs.

Step 4: Fetching Validator Data from the Beacon Chain

Now comes the core logic: retrieving validator information.

Use the official Ethereum Consensus API endpoint:

GET https://<your-rpc-url>/eth/v1/beacon/states/head/validators

This returns an array of validators with fields like:

validator.pubkey – Public key identifying the validator
balance – Current balance in Gwei
status – Active, pending, slashed, etc.
effective_balance – Stake amount used for consensus voting

In your Next.js page or component, use useEffect and fetch() (or Axios) to call this endpoint. Since the response can include thousands of validators, implement pagination or filtering early.

Example:

const res = await fetch(`${process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_RPC_URL}/eth/v1/beacon/states/head/validators`);
const data = await res.json();
setValidators(data.data);

Process the data to calculate rankings—sort by balance or recent performance change.

Step 5: Displaying the Leaderboard

Structure your UI with clarity and responsiveness in mind.

Use daisyUI’s table component to show:

Rank	Validator PubKey	Balance (ETH)	Status

Highlight top performers with color-coded rows. Add search and filter options so users can look up specific validators by pubkey.

For visual appeal:

Use gradient backgrounds
Animate state changes with Framer Motion or Tailwind transitions
Include loading skeletons while data fetches

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Step 6: Deploy Instantly with Vercel

One of the biggest advantages of using Next.js is seamless deployment via Vercel.

Just link your GitHub repository, and Vercel automatically:

Detects it’s a Next.js app
Builds and deploys it
Assigns a public URL (e.g., https://validator-leaderboard.vercel.app)

Your app goes from localhost to live in under two minutes—perfect for hackathons or MVP testing.

Core Keywords for SEO

To align with search intent and improve visibility, naturally integrate these keywords throughout:

Ethereum 2.0 validator leaderboard
Beacon Chain validator stats
Build dApp from scratch
Connect to Ethereum blockchain
Fetch blockchain data
Web3 app development
Real-time validator ranking
Next.js blockchain frontend

These terms reflect what developers and enthusiasts are searching for when exploring decentralized tools and learning resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get free access to Ethereum nodes?

You can sign up with providers like QuickNode, Alchemy, or Infura to get a free-tier RPC endpoint. These allow limited requests per day but are sufficient for development and small-scale apps.

Can I build this without prior blockchain experience?

Yes! This project is beginner-friendly if you have basic JavaScript and React knowledge. The step-by-step structure helps you learn core Web3 concepts incrementally.

Is the Beacon Chain data updated in real time?

The Consensus Layer API updates roughly every 12 seconds (per slot interval). Your app should re-fetch data periodically—every 30–60 seconds is ideal to avoid rate limits.

How do I handle large responses from the validator endpoint?

The /validators endpoint may return over 800KB of JSON. To optimize:

Filter results client-side after initial load
Implement pagination using id or status query params
Cache responses using localStorage or SWR

What happens if my RPC provider rate-limits me?

Free tiers often limit request volume. To avoid disruptions:

Add error handling and retry logic
Use exponential backoff
Consider upgrading to a paid plan for production use

Can I add more features like rewards tracking or slashing alerts?

Absolutely. Extend the app by:

Querying /eth/v1/beacon/rewards for income calculations
Monitoring status changes for slashed validators
Sending email/webhook alerts via serverless functions

By following this workflow, you’ve built a functional, attractive, and data-driven Ethereum 2.0 validator dashboard—fast, securely, and ready for real users.

Whether you're launching a personal tool or entering a hackathon, this foundation equips you with essential Web3 development skills: connecting to blockchain, managing state, styling efficiently, and deploying instantly.

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Now go innovate—your next dApp idea could be just one commit away.