> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.rome.builders/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.rome.builders/resources/faq.md).

# FAQ

## General

**What is Rome Protocol?** Rome is an EVM execution environment running natively inside the Solana runtime. Solidity contracts deploy on Solana with direct CPI access to all Solana programs. See [What is Rome?](/getting-started/what-is-rome.md)

**Is Rome a bridge?** No. Rome EVM runs inside Solana's runtime as a first-class program. There's no message relay between separate chains. EVM state IS Solana state.

**Is Rome a rollup?** No. A block indexer (Hercules) produces Ethereum-compatible blocks for wallets and explorers, but EVM execution happens inside a Solana program — not on a separate rollup chain.

## Development

**Can I use my existing Solidity contracts?** Yes. Standard Solidity contracts deploy unchanged on Rome. If your contracts use Chainlink oracles, the Oracle Gateway provides the same `AggregatorV3Interface`.

**What Solidity version should I use?** 0.8.28 is recommended (matches the Rome Solidity SDK). Earlier versions work.

**Can I use Hardhat? Foundry?** Both work. Configure your network with the Rome RPC URL and chain ID. See [Deploy Solidity](/developer-guides/deploy-solidity.md).

**Can I use MetaMask?** Yes. Add Rome as a custom network in MetaMask with the appropriate RPC URL and chain ID. See [Quickstart](/getting-started/quickstart.md).

**How do I call Solana programs from Solidity?** Use the CPI precompile (`0xFF...08`) via the Rome Solidity SDK. See [Call Solana from EVM](/developer-guides/call-solana-from-evm.md).

## Performance

**What's the transaction finality time?** Sub-second — same as Solana block time (\~400ms).

**What's the compute budget?** \~1.4M compute units per atomic transaction. Operations exceeding this use iterative mode (split across multiple Solana transactions). See [Compute Budget](/core-concepts/compute-budget.md).

## Tokens

**What gas token does Rome use?** Each chain chooses its own gas token — any SPL token, priced via Meteora pools. The public chains (Martius, Hadrian) use USDC as gas.

**How do ERC-20 tokens work on Rome?** ERC-20 tokens on Rome are transparent wrappers over SPL tokens. `balanceOf()` reads directly from the SPL token account on Solana. See [Token Interop](/core-concepts/token-interop.md).

**A Solana-side deposit or bridge transfer fails with "insufficient SOL," but my wallet is funded — why?** Rome's devnet and testnet chains settle on Solana Devnet, so your Solana wallet must be in the matching network mode. In Phantom, open Settings → Developer Settings → enable Testnet Mode with the network set to Devnet, then disconnect and reconnect both wallets and retry. If a token balance doesn't appear after a deposit, import the token into your wallet manually.

## Infrastructure

**Do I need to run my own node?** No — connect to a public chain's RPC (see [Networks](/networks/networks.md)). Running your own chain means operating the Proxy and Hercules.

**What databases does Rome need?** PostgreSQL, used by Hercules for block indexing and by the Proxy for block queries.

**Can I run Rome locally?** Today, develop against a public chain — the [Quickstart](/getting-started/quickstart.md) deploys to Martius (testnet) or Hadrian (devnet) in minutes. A self-contained local stack is on the roadmap.


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