---
title: "Getting Started"
description: "Get started with Universal Crypto MCP in 5 minutes"
category: "getting-started"
keywords: ["quickstart", "installation", "setup", "tutorial"]
order: 1
---
# Getting Started
Welcome to Universal Crypto MCP! This guide will get you up and running in 5 minutes.
## What is Universal Crypto MCP?
Universal Crypto MCP is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that gives AI assistants access to 380+ blockchain tools across 60+ networks. It enables AI agents to:
- 💰 Check balances and transfer tokens
- 🔄 Execute DeFi swaps and lending
- 📊 Fetch real-time market data
- 💳 Make HTTP 402 payments (x402 protocol)
- 🤖 Run autonomous trading agents
## Quick Start
### Option 1: One-Line Setup (Recommended)
```bash
npx @nirholas/universal-crypto-mcp
```
This starts an MCP server that you can connect to Claude, ChatGPT, or any MCP-compatible client.
### Option 2: Install Globally
```bash
npm install -g @nirholas/universal-crypto-mcp
universal-crypto-mcp
```
### Option 3: Use with Claude Desktop
Add to your Claude Desktop configuration (`~/.claude/config.json`):
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"universal-crypto-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["@nirholas/universal-crypto-mcp"],
"env": {
"ETHEREUM_RPC_URL": "https://eth-mainnet.g.alchemy.com/v2/YOUR_KEY"
}
}
}
}
```
## Configuration
### Environment Variables
Create a `.env` file:
```bash
# RPC Endpoints (at least one required)
ETHEREUM_RPC_URL=https://eth-mainnet.g.alchemy.com/v2/YOUR_KEY
BASE_RPC_URL=https://base-mainnet.g.alchemy.com/v2/YOUR_KEY
# For transactions (optional)
PRIVATE_KEY=0x...
# For x402 payments (optional)
X402_PRIVATE_KEY=0x...
# For CEX trading (optional)
BINANCE_API_KEY=...
BINANCE_SECRET_KEY=...
```
### Get RPC URLs
Free RPC providers:
- [Alchemy](https://alchemy.com) - 300M requests/month free
- [Infura](https://infura.io) - 100K requests/day free
- [QuickNode](https://quicknode.com) - Free tier available
## Your First Commands
Once connected to an MCP client, try these commands:
### Check a Wallet Balance
```
Check the ETH balance of vitalik.eth
```
### Get Token Prices
```
What's the current price of ETH and BTC?
```
### Analyze a Token
```
Is the token at 0x... safe to trade?
```
### Get DeFi Rates
```
What are the current lending rates on Aave for USDC?
```
## Enable Features
### Transactions (Requires Private Key)
```bash
PRIVATE_KEY=0x... npx @nirholas/universal-crypto-mcp
```
Now you can:
```
Swap 0.1 ETH to USDC on Uniswap
```
### x402 Payments
```bash
X402_PRIVATE_KEY=0x... npx @nirholas/universal-crypto-mcp
```
Now you can:
```
Make a paid request to https://api.example.com/premium
```
### CEX Trading
```bash
BINANCE_API_KEY=... BINANCE_SECRET_KEY=... npx @nirholas/universal-crypto-mcp
```
Now you can:
```
Buy 0.01 BTC on Binance
```
## Project Structure
For developers building with Universal Crypto MCP:
```typescript
import { UniversalCryptoMCP } from '@nirholas/universal-crypto-mcp';
const mcp = new UniversalCryptoMCP({
rpcUrls: {
ethereum: process.env.ETHEREUM_RPC_URL,
base: process.env.BASE_RPC_URL,
},
privateKey: process.env.PRIVATE_KEY,
});
// Start the MCP server
await mcp.start();
```
## Available Modules
| Module | Description | Enabled By Default |
|--------|-------------|-------------------|
| `wallet` | Balance, transfers, signing | ✅ Yes |
| `market-data` | Prices, charts, analytics | ✅ Yes |
| `defi` | Swaps, lending, staking | ✅ Yes (read-only) |
| `trading` | CEX trading | ❌ No (needs API keys) |
| `x402` | HTTP payments | ❌ No (needs key) |
| `agents` | Automation | ❌ No (needs config) |
Enable specific modules:
```bash
MODULES=wallet,defi,market-data npx @nirholas/universal-crypto-mcp
```
## Security Notes
⚠️ **Important Security Practices:**
1. **Never share your private key** - Use environment variables
2. **Use testnets first** - Test on Sepolia, Base Sepolia
3. **Start with read-only** - Don't add private key until needed
4. **Use limited approvals** - Don't approve unlimited amounts
5. **Monitor transactions** - Set up wallet alerts
## Next Steps
- [Installation Guide](./installation.md) - Detailed setup instructions
- [Configuration](./configuration.md) - All configuration options
- [First Tool Tutorial](./first-tool.md) - Build your first tool
- [Tool Catalog](../tools/catalog.md) - Browse all 380+ tools
- [x402 Protocol](../x402/overview.md) - HTTP 402 payments
## Getting Help
- [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/nirholas/universal-crypto-mcp/issues)
- [Discord Community](https://discord.gg/universal-crypto-mcp)
- [FAQ](../faq.md)
