The Beacon Chain is a core part of Ethereum’s transition from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake. It acts as a new consensus layer, helping keep the network secure and managing the process of validating transactions and blocks. The Beacon Chain went live in December 2020 and later merged with the main Ethereum network to coordinate validators and…
Fork choice rules are the guidelines a blockchain network uses to decide which version of the blockchain is the correct one when there are multiple competing versions. These rules help nodes agree on which chain to follow, ensuring that everyone is working with the same history of transactions. Without fork choice rules, disagreements could cause…
Decentralised Oracle Networks are systems that connect blockchains to external data sources, allowing smart contracts to access real-world information securely. Instead of relying on a single data provider, these networks use multiple independent nodes to fetch and verify data, reducing the risk of errors or manipulation. This approach ensures that data entering a blockchain is…
Liquidity mining is a process where people provide their digital assets to a platform, such as a decentralised exchange, to help others trade more easily. In return, those who supply their assets receive rewards, often in the form of new tokens or a share of the fees collected by the platform. This approach helps platforms…
Yield farming is a way for people to earn rewards by lending or staking their cryptocurrency in special online platforms called decentralised finance, or DeFi, protocols. Users provide their funds to these platforms, which then use the money for things like loans or trading, and in return, users receive interest or new tokens as a…
Staking derivatives are financial products that represent a claim on staked cryptocurrency and the rewards it earns. They allow users to access the value of their staked assets without waiting for lock-up periods to end. By holding a staking derivative, users can trade, transfer, or use their staked funds in other financial activities while still…
Layer 0 protocols are foundational technologies that enable the creation and connection of multiple blockchain networks. They provide the basic infrastructure on which other blockchains, known as Layer 1s, can be built and interact. By handling communication and interoperability between different chains, Layer 0 protocols make it easier to transfer data and assets across separate…
Cross-chain interoperability is the ability for different blockchain networks to communicate and share information or assets with each other. This means users can move data or tokens across separate blockchains without needing a central exchange or authority. It helps create a more connected and flexible blockchain ecosystem, making it easier for projects and users to…
Atomic swaps are a method that allows people to exchange one type of cryptocurrency for another directly, without needing a trusted third party such as an exchange. The process uses smart contracts to ensure that both sides of the trade happen at the same time, or not at all, making it secure for both parties….
Stealth addresses are a privacy feature used in cryptocurrency transactions to make it difficult for outsiders to link payments to a specific recipient. When someone wants to send funds to a person using a stealth address, a unique one-time address is generated for each transaction. This means that even if someone looks at the blockchain,…