The Basics

New to crypto? Start here.

• How are blocks connected in a traditional blockchain?

  In a traditional blockchain like Bitcoin, every block has exactly one parent — the block that came directly before it. Each new block contains a reference to it

• How does a traditional blockchain order its transactions?

  A traditional blockchain arranges all blocks in a single linear sequence where every block points back to exactly one parent. This one-parent rule creates a cle

• How does someone avoid a scam?

  * Be skeptical of unsolicited messages or offers. * If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. * Verify sources before clicking links or sending funds

• What are the benefits of decentralization?

  ### Decentralization offers key benefits: It enhances security by eliminating single points of failure, making the system more resistant to hacks, censorsh

• What does 'time to propagate' mean in a peer-to-peer network?

  Time to propagate is how long it takes for data to spread from one computer to all the others across a peer-to-peer network. In a peer-to-peer network, nodes sh

• What happens if a node misbehaves or goes offline?

  If a node disrupts the network or behaves dishonestly, the rest of the network can isolate it without taking down the whole system. Because every node is just o

• What is a client-server network?

  A client-server network is a centralized setup where a single powerful computer — the server — handles requests from multiple connected devices called clients.

• What is a long-range attack in proof-of-stake?

  A long-range attack is a security vulnerability in proof-of-stake (PoS) systems where an attacker uses old private keys to rewrite the blockchain's history from

• What is a Merkle Tree and how does it work in a blockchain?

  A Merkle Tree is a data structure that organizes all the transactions in a block into a single compact fingerprint called the root hash, which is stored in the

• What is a node in a peer-to-peer network?

  A node is any individual computing device — a computer, server, or IoT device — that actively participates in a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. Each node keeps its

• What is an orphaned block in a traditional blockchain?

  An orphaned block is a valid block that gets discarded because another block at the same height was chosen by the network first. In a traditional blockchain, mi

• What is decentralization?

  Crypto decentralization refers to the distribution of control, authority, and operations across a network of participants rather than relying on a single centr

• What is KYC?

  KYC stands for "Know Your Customer." It is a process used primarily in the financial services industry to verify the identity of clients. This process helps in

• What is P2P currency?

  A P2P (peer-to-peer) currency is a decentralized digital asset that allows direct transactions between individuals without intermediaries. It’s trustless, mean

• What is Proof of Stake?

  **Proof of Stake (PoS)** is a consensus mechanism used in blockchain technology to validate transactions and create new blocks. It’s an alternative to the more

• What is the difference between centralized and decentralized cryptocurrencies?

  Centralized and decentralized cryptocurrencies differ fundamentally in their structure, control, and operation. Centralized cryptocurrencies prioritize efficie

• What is the nothing-at-stake problem in proof-of-stake?

  The nothing-at-stake problem is a vulnerability in proof-of-stake (PoS) systems where validators can cheaply sign competing chain forks at the same time. In PoS

• What is TradFi? Is it crypto?

  "TradFi" is a shorthand term for "Traditional Finance." No, TradFi isn’t crypto. Traditional Finance (TradFi) is the opposite of the crypto world—it’s the esta

• What is weak subjectivity in proof-of-stake?

  Weak subjectivity is the approach most proof-of-stake (PoS) chains use to guard against long-range attacks: nodes are required to trust a recent checkpoint prov

• Why can two nodes in a P2P network see things differently at the same moment?

  Because data spreads step-by-step through a peer-to-peer network, one node can be aware of information that another hasn't received yet — giving them genuinely

• Why do some blockchains discard blocks created at the same time?

  In a traditional linear-chain blockchain, when two miners produce blocks at the same moment, only one block survives — the other is 'orphaned,' meaning it is di