# Aurora > The network of virtual chains Aurora is a Layer 2 blockchain on NEAR Protocol for building EVM-compatible decentralized applications and customizable Virtual Chains. Aurora is an EVM-compatible Layer 2 blockchain on NEAR Protocol, built as a smart contract that inherits NEAR's validator network and performance. Users can deploy Solidity smart contracts, bridge assets between Ethereum and NEAR via the Rainbow Bridge, and launch dedicated customizable blockchains called Virtual Chains. The protocol is governed by a decentralized autonomous organization with a dedicated development team. - Type: Company - Sector: Blockchain Platforms - Status: Active - Founded: 2021-10-07 - Profile: https://thegrid.id/profiles/aurora ## Products - [Aurora](https://thegrid.id/profiles/aurora): Aurora is an EVM-compatible Layer 2 protocol deployed as a smart contract on NEAR Protocol, running the Aurora Engine powered by SputnikVM. The protocol supports Solidity-based contract deployment with ETH as the base transaction currency, inheriting NEAR's validator network and sharding infrastructure. NEP-141 to ERC-20 token mapping enables cross-standard token transfers between NEAR and Aurora, and additional precompiles support cross-chain interactions. (L2, Live, Main Product) - [Aurora Cloud](https://thegrid.id/profiles/aurora): Aurora Cloud is a platform for deploying and managing Virtual Chains — dedicated EVM-compatible blockchain instances built on the Aurora Engine smart contract. Through the Aurora Cloud Console, operators configure chain parameters including gas abstraction, permission controls, custom base tokens, on/off-ramp integrations, oracle connections, and CEX bridges. Virtual Chains deploy on NEAR Protocol infrastructure in approximately 30 seconds, inheriting cross-chain interoperability with Ethereum and NEAR. (Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS), Live) - [Rainbow Bridge](https://thegrid.id/profiles/aurora): Rainbow Bridge is a trustless, permissionless bridge protocol for transferring assets between Ethereum, NEAR, and Aurora. The system maps ERC-20 tokens to NEP-141 tokens during cross-chain transfers and allows developers to deploy new bridge-compatible token pairs. Standard inbound transfers from Ethereum complete in up to 20 minutes, while outbound transfers to Ethereum take up to 8 hours. A Fast Bridge option reduces Ethereum-bound transfers to approximately 5 minutes. (Bridge, Live) - [Aurora+](https://thegrid.id/profiles/aurora): Aurora+ is a staking platform for the Aurora network where users deposit AURORA tokens to earn rewards distributed in both AURORA and tokens from partner ecosystem projects. The platform integrates with Aurora Pass for free monthly transactions and provides a curated directory of Aurora ecosystem applications spanning DeFi, NFTs, and gaming. (Staking Service, Live) - [Aurora Pass](https://thegrid.id/profiles/aurora): Aurora Pass is a non-custodial mobile cryptocurrency wallet for the Aurora ecosystem. It uses biometric authentication and a 12-word seed phrase secured via device keystore. Users receive free monthly transactions on Aurora Mainnet and Virtual Chain networks through integrated gas sponsorship. The wallet supports WalletConnect v2 for dApp connectivity and displays decoded function calls for verified contracts. (Wallet, Live) - [Aurora Block Explorer](https://thegrid.id/profiles/aurora): Aurora Block Explorer is a web-based tool for searching and viewing on-chain data for Aurora Mainnet, including transactions, blocks, wallet addresses, ERC-20 token activity, and internal transactions. The explorer decodes function calls for contracts verified on-chain and provides real-time and historical blockchain data access. (Block Explorer, Live) ## Assets - [Aurora (AURORA)](https://thegrid.id/profiles/aurora): AURORA is the governance token of the Aurora protocol. It is used for voting on protocol proposals and treasury allocations within the AuroraDAO, and for staking to earn ecosystem rewards. Deployed as a non-upgradable ERC-20 on Ethereum with a fixed supply of one billion tokens, it is also available on NEAR and Aurora via the Rainbow Bridge. (Governance) ## Links - [Main](https://aurora.dev) - [Documentation](https://doc.aurora.dev) - [Blog](https://aurora.dev/blog) - [Blog](https://doc.aurora.dev/blog) - [Privacy policy](https://aurora.dev/privacy) - [Terms of Service](https://aurora.dev/terms) - [Media Kit/branding](https://brand.aurora.dev) - [Forum](https://forum.aurora.dev) - [Twitter / X](https://x.com/auroraisnear) - [Discord](https://discord.gg/auroralabs) - [Telegram](https://t.me/auroraisnear) - [YouTube](https://youtube.com/@auroraisnear) - [GitHub](https://github.com/aurora-is-near) - [LinkedIn](https://linkedin.com/company/aurora-is-near) - [Medium](https://medium.com/aurora-platform) ## Legal This data is provided under two licensing models. Model 1 - open data. The open data core is licensed under the Open Database License (ODbL) — a copyleft/share-alike license allowing free use, modification, and sharing for any purpose. 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