What is Blockchain?
Last reviewed 2026-05-03
Used by: Bitcoin, NEAR, Aptos, Sui, Canton Network
Entity coverage: 2 protocols, 0 tokens, 8 chains reference this concept.
A blockchain is a replicated append-only ledger maintained by a network of nodes that agree on transaction order via a consensus protocol. Each block cryptographically links to its predecessor, making history tamper-evident.
How it works
A blockchain is a replicated append-only ledger maintained by a network of nodes that agree on transaction order via a consensus protocol. Each block cryptographically links to its predecessor, making history tamper-evident.
For deeper protocol-level mechanics, see the related glossary terms below or the linked DeFi Intel topic deep-dive.
Why it matters
Blockchains enable trust-minimized transfer of value, agreements, and data without a central operator. They underpin every other term in this glossary.
Real-world examples
Bitcoin (settlement), Ethereum (smart contracts), Solana (high-throughput), Cosmos chains (sovereign apps), Bitcoin L2s (Stacks).
Related terms
Go deeper
Read the full DeFi Intel topic deep-dive or browse the complete crypto glossary.
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