A networking or protocol component that directs blockchain transactions and messages across nodes or between different chains....

The complete set of data representing all accounts, balances, smart contracts, and variables at a specific block height in a blockchain. State represents the current condition of the blockchain…...

The validation of a block and its inclusion in the blockchain, with each subsequent block built on top of it representing an additional confirmation that strengthens its permanence and security…...

A web-based tool or application that allows users to search and visualize data from a blockchain, including blocks, transactions, addresses, and other network statistics. Block explorers serve as the…...

The number of blocks connected in the blockchain before a specific block. It represents the position of a block in the blockchain measured from the genesis block (block height 0)....

A distributed ledger architecture where each account maintains its own blockchain (account-chain), enabling asynchronous updates and eliminating the need for global consensus on all transactions.…...

The continuous measurement of how quickly and reliably new blocks spread across a blockchain’s peer‑to‑peer network....

The incentive—usually in native cryptocurrency—granted to the miner or validator who successfully produces and appends a new block to the blockchain....

A denial‑of‑service tactic where an attacker fills blocks with spam or low‑value transactions to bloat block size, increase fees, and slow network processing....

The amount of newly created cryptocurrency that is awarded to the miner or validator who successfully creates a new valid block and adds it to the blockchain. This subsidy is a key incentive for…...

The statistical variability in the time intervals between successive blocks, influenced by consensus randomness and network factors....

A subversive mining strategy where a miner or pool member finds a valid block but withholds it from the network or pool to harm others’ revenue....

A digital signature scheme based on bilinear pairings on elliptic curves, named after its creators Boneh, Lynn, and Shacham. BLS signatures enable efficient signature aggregation, threshold signing,…...

BNB Chain is the rebranded ecosystem that combines the former Binance Chain and Binance Smart Chain (BSC) blockchains, announced in February 2022. The ecosystem consists of BNB Beacon Chain (the…...

The process of locking tokens in a staking contract to become a validator or delegator, providing collateral for consensus participation....

A mathematical formula implemented in a smart contract that algorithmically determines the price of a token based on its circulating supply. As the supply increases (tokens are bought/minted), the…...

A small piece of firmware that initializes hardware components and loads an operating system or hypervisor into memory upon system start. It serves as the first code executed after power‑on or reset....

Smart‑contract systems that allow users to deposit assets as collateral and borrow other tokens against that collateral. They automate interest rates and liquidation processes without intermediaries....

A wallet where the private key is derived from a memorized passphrase, without storing any seed or key material physically....

A UI pattern showing the user’s path within a multi‑layered application or website, allowing easy back‑tracking and context awareness. Commonly displayed as a horizontal list of links....

A security assessment focused on cross‑chain bridge smart contracts, relayers, and off‑chain components to ensure safe asset transfers between blockchains....

Communication paths between blockchains or layer‑2 networks that carry messages and transactions, often implemented via state channels, payment channels, or messaging protocols....

The process of incorporating assets transferred via a bridge into a destination chain’s ecosystem, including wallets, dApps, and liquidity pools....

Collateral assets locked on an origin chain that back the issuance of corresponding tokens on a destination chain. It secures cross‑chain borrowing or leveraged positions....

A non‑fungible token that represents ownership of a unique asset on one chain but is usable on another chain via a bridging mechanism....

Financial products that provide coverage against losses arising from cross‑chain bridge hacks, smart contract bugs, or mismanagement of locked assets....

A smart contract or off‑chain service that selects the optimal path and mechanism for transferring assets across multiple bridges or chains....

The set of assumptions, threat vectors, and defense mechanisms that underpin the safety of a cross‑chain bridge....

An economic penalty system that confiscates a misbehaving validator’s or relayer’s bond if they produce fraudulent or malicious cross‑chain messages....

A set of smart contracts and off‑chain components that enable transfer of value and data between distinct blockchain networks....

A type of Web3 wallet that operates as an extension within a web browser (like Chrome, Firefox, or Brave). It allows users to manage their crypto assets and interact seamlessly with decentralized…...

BSC is the common abbreviation for Binance Smart Chain, a blockchain network with smart contract functionality launched by cryptocurrency exchange Binance in September 2020. It was rebranded to BNB…...

BSIMM is a descriptive software security model based on real-world data from various organizations, which helps entities understand, measure, and improve their software security initiatives. It…...

A bug bounty platform is an online service or marketplace that connects organizations with ethical hackers (security researchers) to identify and report vulnerabilities in the organizations' software…...

A bull market is a financial market condition characterized by a sustained period of rising asset prices, typically accompanied by investor optimism, strong confidence, and expectations of continued…...

In blockchain, particularly in the context of Layer 2 rollups or account abstraction (ERC-4337), a bundler is an entity or actor responsible for collecting multiple user transactions or user…...

The permanent removal of cryptocurrency tokens from circulation by sending them to an unspendable address or destroying them through protocol mechanisms, reducing the total supply. Token burning…...

A burn-in test is a process where a new component or system, typically electronic or mechanical, is operated continuously under normal or accelerated conditions for a period to detect early failures…...

The rate at which tokens are permanently removed from circulation, often via smart‑contract `burn` functions....

The low‑level, platform‑independent code produced by smart contract compilers, executed by the blockchain virtual machine....

The capability of a distributed system to reach consensus and continue operating correctly even when some nodes fail or act maliciously. Byzantine Fault Tolerance (BFT) algorithms ensure network…...

A caching layer is a high-speed data storage layer positioned between applications and a primary data store (like a database or a blockchain node's full state). It stores frequently accessed data…...

A Turing-complete programming language designed for creating provable programs for general computation, particularly known for its use in STARK-based ZK-Rollups and systems developed by StarkWare.…...

A candlestick chart is a style of financial chart used to describe price movements of a security, derivative, or cryptocurrency over a specific time period. Each "candlestick" typically shows the…...

Capital efficiency refers to how effectively a business, protocol, or investment uses its capital (financial resources) to generate profits, returns, or achieve its objectives. High capital…...

Carbon credits are tradeable certificates or permits that represent the right to emit one metric ton of carbon dioxide or equivalent greenhouse gases. In the blockchain context, carbon credits are…...

A third-generation proof-of-stake blockchain platform designed to deliver advanced features through an academic, research-driven approach. Cardano aims to provide a more secure and sustainable…...

Certificate Authorities (CAs) are trusted entities in public key infrastructure (PKI) that issue and manage digital certificates. These certificates bind a public key to an identity (e.g., a person,…...

The name given to a series of research and development projects by the Ethereum Foundation aimed at transitioning the Ethereum network from Proof-of-Work (PoW) to a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus…...

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) is a state-wide data privacy law in California, USA, that grants consumers more control over the personal information that businesses collect about them. It…...