Blockchain
9 guides covering blockchain — ordered from beginner to advanced.
Blockchain guides
What Is Blockchain?
A clear introduction to blockchain technology and how it works.
5 min read · 12 related concepts
Public, Private, and Permissioned Blockchains
How open public blockchains differ from private and permissioned networks, and why the distinction matters.
5 min read · 1 related concept
Proof of Work vs. Proof of Stake
A clear comparison of blockchain's two most common consensus mechanisms — how each secures a network and what trade-offs each makes.
7 min read · 11 related concepts
What Is a Blockchain Fork?
A clear explanation of hard forks and soft forks — how blockchain protocol changes happen and what each type means in practice.
6 min read · 2 related concepts
Consensus Mechanisms Compared
A closer look at how proof of work, proof of stake, and other consensus mechanisms actually differ.
7 min read · 10 related concepts
Layer 2 Scaling and Trade-offs
A deeper look at why base blockchains hit limits, how Layer 2 networks address them, and what trade-offs they introduce.
6 min read · 15 related concepts
Understanding the Blockchain Scalability Trilemma
Why blockchains tend to trade off between decentralization, security, and scalability.
6 min read · 2 related concepts
Understanding Finality in Blockchain Networks
The difference between probabilistic and absolute finality, and why it matters.
6 min read · 1 related concept
Interoperability Between Blockchains
How different blockchain networks communicate and exchange value, and the common approaches.
6 min read · 1 related concept
Key terms in this category
Node
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Block Height
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Mainnet
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Testnet
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Genesis Block
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Mempool
Read the Mempool glossary definition
Confirmation
Read the Confirmation glossary definition
Pseudonymity
Read the Pseudonymity glossary definition
On-Chain
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Off-Chain
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Decentralization
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Blockchain
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Hash Function
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Merkle Tree
Read the Merkle Tree glossary definition
Consensus Mechanism
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Finality
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51% Attack
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Validator
Read the Validator glossary definition
Delegated Proof of Stake
Read the Delegated Proof of Stake glossary definition
Slashing
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Hard Fork
Read the Hard Fork glossary definition
Soft Fork
Read the Soft Fork glossary definition
Nakamoto Consensus
Read the Nakamoto Consensus glossary definition
Proof of Authority
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Proof of Burn
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Proof of History
Read the Proof of History glossary definition
Sybil Attack
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Eclipse Attack
Read the Eclipse Attack glossary definition
Sharding
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Sidechain
Read the Sidechain glossary definition
Rollup
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Zero-Knowledge Proof
Read the Zero-Knowledge Proof glossary definition
Cross-Chain Bridge
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Interoperability
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zk-SNARK
Read the zk-SNARK glossary definition
zk-STARK
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Layer 2
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Layer 1
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Gas Fee
Read the Gas Fee glossary definition
Consensus Finality
Read the Consensus Finality glossary definition