> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.nearbuilders.com/resources/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.nearbuilders.com/resources/developer-onboarding/why-near.md).

# Why NEAR?

Since inception NEAR has been touted for its technical excellence, unique approach to scalability unlike any other chain, and superior account model leading to some of the best user onboarding experiences. As NEAR is moving into its 3rd year since mainnet, there are over 1000 verified applications across the 3 major categories of crypto: DAOs, DeFi and NFTs. In addition to applications, NEAR has a number of infrastructure projects addressing the growing ecosystem needs in areas such as: private shards and compute (<https://www.calimero.network/>), storage (<https://www.onmachina.io/>), wallet interoperability (<https://github.com/near/wallet-selector/>), core protocol governance (<https://mobile.twitter.com/neardc>), and more (<https://near.org/>)

## Unique About NEAR

* Account Abstraction: Multiple full access keys with the option to delist and add (changing your password and multisig built in)
* Metatransactions: Pay for transactions on behalf of users
* Easily Onboard: easily onboard users in a non custodial way
* Named Accounts: ENS built it
* EVM compatibility out of the box: Build with solidity on Aurora
* JS & Python SDK; build smart contracts with JavaScript and more recently, python
* Robust DeFI Space: From AMMs, Orderbooks, Lending, Liquid Staking, Privacy
* Decentralized Front Ends: Host your front end code directly on NEAR to be interface by Gateways around the world
* Carbon Neutral: The most OG for Carbon Neutral blockchains
* DAOs: With a robust DAO framework and funding verticals across the ecosystem full being supported by DAOs
* Low Validator Requirements: now with Chunk Only Producers
* Interoperability: With support for data storage, bridges, and infrastructure, NEAR is compatible with your favorite Web3 tech stacks
* WASM based: contracts that compile down to WebAssembly


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.nearbuilders.com/resources/developer-onboarding/why-near.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.