Guides · Cryptocurrencies
Blockchain explained simply
In short: A blockchain is a shared ledger copied across thousands of computers, where transactions are grouped into blocks linked to one another. Changing an old block would require redoing all the following ones on most computers, which is almost impossible.
An example
Imagine an account book copied by thousands of people. When someone pays, everyone writes down the line. Cheating on a single copy is pointless.
Who validates
With proof of work (bitcoin), miners perform costly computations. With proof of stake (Ethereum today), validators lock crypto as a guarantee.
What it is used for
Cryptos, stablecoins, some financial applications. An interesting technology does not guarantee that a coin's price will rise.