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Blockchain
How a blockchain records every coin: blocks and hashes, nodes, proof of work and proof of stake, mining, forks and layer 2 networks.
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BlockchainBeginnerHow to improve cryptocurrency mining rig efficiencyMining rig efficiency means fewer watts per terahash at the wall. Measure power and hashrate, then tune voltage, clocks, airflow and the power supply.
Vahe Hakobyan3 min readRead guide
All Blockchain guides
Every guide in this topic, labelled by level.
BlockchainBeginnerWhat is a cryptocurrency blockchain?A cryptocurrency blockchain is a shared ledger that records transactions without a central authority. Bitcoin, created in 2009, was the first to use one.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026
BlockchainBeginnerCrypto gas fees: what they are and why they changeGas fees are usually payments a blockchain network charges to process your transaction, paid in the network's native coin, such as ether on Ethereum.4 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026
BlockchainBeginnerWhat is cryptocurrency mining and what does it do?Crypto mining is the proof-of-work process that confirms transactions and creates new coins. Miners race to add each block and earn coins plus fees.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026
BlockchainBeginnerHow is cryptocurrency mined? A beginner’s guideCryptocurrency mining verifies transactions and adds blocks; miners earn new coins and fees for the work. Rewards count as taxable income in the US.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026
BlockchainBeginnerMining cryptocurrency on a phone: what you really getPhone mining apps cannot profitably mine Bitcoin; most simulate mining or sell cloud hashrate, and heavy use often drains batteries and overheats devices.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026
BlockchainIntermediateBest cryptocurrency mining software: how to compare optionsNo single best crypto mining software exists. Your hardware, coin, and needs decide whether open-source or proprietary code fits best for you.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026
BlockchainBeginnerCryptocurrency mining machine: what it is and how it worksA cryptocurrency mining machine is a specialized computer that solves proof of work puzzles to earn coins and fees. Home use adds power and cooling costs.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026
BlockchainBeginnerCryptocurrency mining farm: what it is and how it worksA cryptocurrency mining farm runs many rigs together to earn block rewards. Power, cooling, and US tax on mined coins shape the math.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026
BlockchainBeginnerWhat is the best cryptocurrency to mine?No single cryptocurrency is best to mine; your hardware and electricity costs decide. Algorithm, block reward, and network difficulty shape your results.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026
BlockchainBeginnerCryptocurrency mining software: what it is and how it worksCryptocurrency mining software runs mining hardware and connects it to a proof-of-work network. It does not mine by itself; hardware does the work.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026
BlockchainIntermediateBlockchain vs cryptocurrency: what is the difference?Blockchain records transactions; cryptocurrency is the asset that moves on it. A chain can usually run without a coin, but a coin needs a chain.4 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026
BlockchainBeginnerOpen source blockchain projects: what the public code meansAn open source blockchain project publishes its code so anyone can read, use, or modify it, and you can check the public repository and license.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026
BlockchainBeginnerWhat is a blockchain explorer and what does it show?A blockchain explorer is a public search tool for blockchain records. It shows a transaction's confirmations and fee, but it cannot move or recover funds.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026
BlockchainBeginnerHow to verify a transaction on a blockchain explorerYou verify a crypto transaction by pasting its hash into the explorer for that network, then checking status, confirmations, and the addresses.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026
BlockchainBeginnerWhat a nonce is in blockchain transactionsA nonce is a per-account counter that orders and identifies each transaction on account-based blockchains like Ethereum; a gap stalls the ones that follow.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026
BlockchainBeginnerBlockchain forks: what they are and what happens to your coinsA blockchain fork is a rule change that splits or redirects a network's history. Hard forks create two chains, and your wallet decides what to credit.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026
BlockchainBeginnerWhat is a crypto node and what does it do?A crypto node is a computer that keeps a copy of a blockchain and checks its rules. It relays transactions and rejects blocks that break the rules.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026
BlockchainBeginnerHow full nodes and light clients differA full node validates every block itself; a light client asks full nodes or servers for data. Check your wallet's setting before you rely on it.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026
BlockchainBeginnerHow to assess whether a blockchain is decentralizedCheck who runs nodes, produces blocks, controls upgrades and holds tokens. Decentralization varies by function, so record findings and recheck later.2 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026
BlockchainBeginnerWhat Is a Blockchain Network Fee?A blockchain network fee is a payment to miners or validators who process your transaction. The fee follows demand for limited block space and time.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026
BlockchainBeginnerLayer 1 blockchains: what they are and how they workA layer 1 blockchain is the base network that settles crypto transactions without a central operator, using consensus rules to agree on each block.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026
BlockchainBeginnerWhat is a layer 2 network and how does it work?A layer 2 network runs on a base chain to make transactions faster and cheaper. Networks such as Arbitrum and Base use their own chain IDs and bridges.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026
BlockchainIntermediateLayer 1 vs layer 2: what changes for usersLayer 2 often changes user costs, speed and bridge steps. A layer 1 settles on its own chain, while a layer 2 posts proofs or data back to it.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026
BlockchainBeginnerWhat is a rollup in blockchain and how it worksA rollup is a scaling network that runs transactions off Ethereum and settles them there. It batches activity to cut congestion on the mainnet.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026
BlockchainBeginnerHow do blockchain bridges work?A blockchain bridge locks or burns tokens on one chain and mints or releases them on another. You connect a wallet, approve an amount and track two chains.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026
BlockchainBeginnerHow to compare blockchain transaction speed fairlyFair speed comparison uses time to finality, not advertised TPS. Match transaction type and network load, then check mainnet and verify timestamps.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026
BlockchainBeginnerBlockchain throughput: what it is and how it worksBlockchain throughput is how many transactions a network processes in a unit of time. It differs from latency and depends on block size and consensus.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026
BlockchainBeginnerBlockchain data availability: what it means and why it mattersBlockchain data availability means a block's full data is published to the network. Rollups need it so users can check balances and withdraw funds.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026
BlockchainIntermediateSolo mining vs pool mining: rewards and riskSolo mining keeps the full block reward but pays rarely; pool mining splits rewards among members and pays more often, with fees and operator risk.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026
BlockchainBeginnerWhat is mining difficulty and why does it change?Mining difficulty measures how hard it is to find a valid new block, and a proof-of-work network adjusts it to keep new blocks arriving at a steady pace.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026
Questions
Short answers to what people ask most.
The shared ledger a cryptocurrency runs on. Transactions are grouped into blocks, each linked to the one before by a hash, and copies are kept on many computers.
Blockchain is the record-keeping technology. A cryptocurrency is an asset recorded on it, such as BTC on the Bitcoin blockchain.
A computer that keeps a copy of the blockchain, checks new transactions and blocks against the network's rules and passes them on to other nodes.
Proof of work secures a chain with mining hardware and electricity. Proof of stake secures it with coins that validators lock up and can lose for breaking the rules.
A change to a blockchain's rules. A hard fork is not accepted by older software, so nodes that do not upgrade end up on a separate chain.
When one miner or pool controls most of the hash rate, it can rewrite recent blocks and double-spend, but it cannot take coins from other people's wallets.