Appchain

Blockchain

A distributed, immutable digital ledger that records transactions across a network of computers without a central authority.

Distributed Ledger Technology

A digital system for recording, sharing, and synchronising data across multiple sites without a central administrator.

Consensus Mechanism

The method by which a distributed network agrees on the current state of the ledger and validates transactions.

Proof of Work

A consensus mechanism requiring computational effort to validate transactions and create new blocks, used by Bitcoin.

Proof of Stake

A consensus mechanism where validators are selected based on the amount of cryptocurrency they hold and stake.

Delegated Proof of Stake

A consensus mechanism where token holders vote for delegates who validate transactions on their behalf.

Byzantine Fault Tolerance

The ability of a distributed system to reach consensus despite some nodes acting maliciously or failing.

Merkle Tree

A hash-based data structure that efficiently verifies the integrity and consistency of large sets of data.

Hash Function

A mathematical function that converts input data of any size into a fixed-size output, used extensively in blockchain security.

Cryptographic Hash

A one-way function producing a fixed-length output that is computationally infeasible to reverse or find collisions for.

Public Key Cryptography

An encryption system using mathematically linked key pairs — a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption.

Digital Signature

A cryptographic mechanism that verifies the authenticity and integrity of digital messages or documents.

Scaling solutions built on top of a base blockchain that process transactions off-chain while inheriting security from the main chain.

A collection of funds locked in a smart contract that provides liquidity for decentralised trading and lending.

Financial services built on blockchain technology that operate without traditional intermediaries like banks or brokerages.

A digital asset created and managed on a blockchain, representing value, utility, or ownership rights.

A mechanism that allows users to stake cryptocurrency while receiving a liquid derivative token representing their staked position, maintaining capital flexibility during the lock-up period.

A Layer 2 scaling solution using zero-knowledge proofs to validate off-chain transactions on the main blockchain.

The economic design and incentive structures governing a cryptocurrency or token ecosystem.

A cryptocurrency designed to maintain a stable value by pegging it to a reserve asset like a fiat currency.

Throughput

The actual rate of successful data transfer across a network in a given time period.

Governance

The system of policies, rules, and processes by which activities are directed, controlled, and managed.