Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Glossary

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Within the context of cryptoeconomics, this is the design of rules and incentive structures in a decentralized system (like a blockchain protocol) to align the self-interested actions of individual…...

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A type of cryptocurrency that originated from internet memes, jokes, or viral social media trends. Their value is primarily driven by community hype, online sentiment, and speculation rather than…...

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The memory pool or transaction pool where unconfirmed transactions wait before being included in a block. The mempool is maintained by each node independently as a staging area for transactions that…...

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A type of Non-Fungible Token (NFT) that possesses the ability to be combined or 'merged' with other NFTs, often to create a new, potentially more valuable or functionally different NFT. This…...

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A technique that allows miners to simultaneously mine two or more blockchains based on the same consensus algorithm, using the same computational resources. Merge mining enables a miner to contribute…...

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A system, organization, or philosophy where progress, rewards, and positions of power are based on demonstrated talent, effort, and achievement (merit) rather than on wealth, social status, or other…...

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The top-level hash in a Merkle tree that cryptographically represents all the data contained in the tree's leaf nodes. The Merkle root serves as a compact fingerprint for verifying the integrity and…...

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A binary tree data structure where each leaf node contains the cryptographic hash of a data block, and each non-leaf node contains the hash of its child nodes' hashes. Merkle trees enable efficient…...

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A short piece of information (a tag) used to authenticate a message and ensure both its data integrity and authenticity. MACs are generated using a secret key shared between the sender and receiver....

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A Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) stored in a token contract (e.g., ERC‑721 `tokenURI`) that points to off‑chain metadata JSON describing the token’s attributes, image, and other properties....

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Governance over governance systems: the process of setting rules, parameters, or frameworks by which DAOs or protocols conduct their own on‑chain governance and decision‑making....

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A physical method of storing cryptocurrency recovery information (such as seed phrases or private keys) by engraving, stamping, or etching the data onto durable metal plates or devices. Metal backups…...

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A meta‑transaction pattern applied to non‑fungible tokens, enabling users to mint, transfer or interact with NFTs without holding the chain’s native gas token by delegating fee payment to a relayer....

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Transactions where a relayer pays the gas fees on behalf of a user, allowing the user to interact with smart contracts without holding native blockchain tokens. The user signs an intent off‑chain and…...

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A pattern where a user’s signed message (intent) is submitted by a relayer, enabling the user to interact without holding native gas tokens....

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Digital items—such as virtual land, avatars, wearables, or collectibles—usable, tradable, and interoperable across metaverse platforms, often represented as NFTs or tokens....

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A middleware component that allows Ethereum validators to outsource block production to specialized block builders through an auction, separating block construction from block signing to capture MEV…...

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The maximum profit that can be extracted by reordering, inserting, or censoring transactions within a block by a miner or validator, through techniques like front‑running, back‑running, and sandwich…...

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A network service that facilitates the auction of block-building rights between builders and validators, transporting block proposals and bids in the MEV-Boost architecture....

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The evaluation of potential losses and vulnerabilities arising from MEV extraction activities, including front‑running exposure, auction participation risks, and network health impacts....

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A hardware manufacturer specializing in ASIC miners for proof‑of‑work cryptocurrencies, known for their WhatsMiner series offering high hash rates and energy efficiency....

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Small bits of text in user interfaces—like button labels, error messages, and tooltips—crafted to guide users, reduce friction, and convey brand voice effectively....

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Very small value payments—often fractions of a cent—enabled by low‑fee blockchain networks, used for tipping, pay‑per‑use APIs, or in‑app purchases....

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An EU regulatory framework that governs financial markets, trading venues, and investment services, aiming to increase transparency, investor protection, and market integrity....

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A vesting model where token release is triggered by the achievement of predefined project milestones rather than time alone....

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A privacy‑focused blockchain protocol using confidential transactions and CoinJoin‑style transaction aggregation to hide amounts and obfuscate transaction graph structure....

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Miners are network participants who use computational power to validate transactions, create new blocks, and secure Proof of Work (PoW) blockchain networks like Bitcoin. They compete to solve complex…...

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The process of validating transactions and adding them to a blockchain through complex computational work, rewarding miners with cryptocurrency....

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A standardized shipping container retrofitted with racks of ASIC miners, power distribution, and cooling systems to deploy large‑scale mining operations in modular units....

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A specific application of difficulty in proof‑of‑work networks, quantifying how challenging it is for miners to find a hash below the network’s target....

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A large-scale data center specifically designed and equipped for cryptocurrency mining, typically for Proof-of-Work (PoW) blockchains. These facilities house a significant number of specialized…...

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A metal rack or open‑air structure designed to hold multiple GPU or ASIC mining units, optimizing airflow and ease of maintenance in mining rigs....

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A collective of miners who combine their computational resources to improve the probability of finding a block and share the rewards proportionally to contributed work....

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Specialized computer programs used by miners in Proof-of-Work (PoW) blockchains to perform the computationally intensive hashing operations required to find valid blocks. This software coordinates…...

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Compact, low‑power personal computer—often Intel NUC or Raspberry Pi class—configured to run a full blockchain node for validation, development, or light production use....

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A dynamic supply model where tokens can be created (`minted`) or destroyed (`burned`) by protocol rules to manage supply and price stability....

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A token or NFT that grants its holder the right to mint one or more tokens in a future NFT drop, often used to manage allocation and whitelist access....

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A predefined time period during which users are allowed to mint new tokens or NFTs, often with tiered phases for whitelist, public, and Dutch auction sales....

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Privacy services that pool and shuffle cryptocurrency inputs from multiple users, then return outputs to unlink senders from recipients, improving transaction anonymity....

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A sequence of words, typically 12 to 24, used to back up and restore access to a cryptocurrency wallet by encoding the wallet's master seed. These words are chosen from a predefined list and are…...

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A cryptocurrency wallet that runs as an application on a mobile device (smartphone or tablet). Mobile app wallets offer a convenient way to send, receive, and store cryptocurrencies on the go, often…...

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A smartphone application that stores private keys on the device and facilitates on‑the‑go crypto transactions, often with QR‑code support....

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A blockchain architecture that separates the core functions of a blockchain—consensus, execution, data availability, and settlement—into distinct, specialized layers or modules. These layers can be…...

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A design approach where user interface elements are built as reusable, self‑contained modules that can be assembled in different configurations to create consistent, maintainable dApp frontends....

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The set of rules governing token supply issuance, inflation, and deflation to achieve economic objectives like stability or growth....

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A visual interface that aggregates key performance indicators, metrics, and alerts from blockchain nodes, services, and applications in real time to provide operational insights....

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A background system that continuously collects, processes, and evaluates health and performance data from blockchain infrastructure, issuing alerts or automated responses when issues arise....

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A traditional blockchain architecture where a single network layer handles all core tasks: consensus (agreement on transaction order), execution (processing transactions and smart contracts), and…...

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A gamified incentive model where users earn tokens or NFTs by performing physical activities—tracked via mobile sensors or wearable devices—and redeem rewards on blockchain platforms....

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A wallet using Multi‑Party Computation to distribute key shares among parties, enabling collective signing without any single party holding the complete private key....

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