A Turning Point for NEAR Protocol
The recent nearcore 2.13.0 update of NEAR Protocol marks a crucial step in the evolution of its network infrastructure. By removing support for centralized state sync via ExternalStorage, the NEAR foundation sends a strong signal to the entire crypto ecosystem: decentralization is not an option, it is a technical and philosophical necessity. This decision, though technical in appearance, has profound implications for validators, developers, and investors.
Why now? The timing is no coincidence. As the Layer 1 blockchain market undergoes consolidation, with players like Solana and Avalanche betting on scalability without sacrificing decentralization, NEAR must prove it can maintain its initial promise: a fast, low-cost, and truly decentralized network. Abandoning centralized sync is a direct response to recurring criticisms about some blockchains’ reliance on centralized infrastructure for state synchronization.
The current market context reinforces the importance of this update. The NEAR price hovers around $4.50, with a market cap of approximately $4.8 billion. While these figures are down from 2022 highs, the uptrend observed since early 2025 signals renewed interest in projects that innovate technically. Institutional investors, in particular, are scrutinizing decisions that enhance network security and resilience.
Technical Details That Change the Game
Concretely, the nearcore 2.13.0 update forces validators to change their configuration. The state_sync.sync parameter in the config.json file can no longer be set to ExternalStorage, an option that previously allowed connecting to centralized storage (like Google Cloud Storage). Validators must now use Peers, a method that relies on network peers to sync the blockchain state.
This transition is not trivial. The Peers system is more demanding in terms of bandwidth and resources, but it ensures increased resilience against attacks or failures. In case of a centralized storage provider outage, the NEAR network could be vulnerable. Now, every validator contributes to collective robustness.
Implications for validators are immediate: they must update their configuration before restarting the node. Those who do not will see their node refuse to start. However, the long-term benefits outweigh the short-term hassle: a more decentralized, censorship-resistant network that aligns with crypto’s core values.
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