Читать книгу Cryptocurrency All-in-One For Dummies онлайн

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A blockchain is a peer-to-peer system with no central authority managing data flow. One of the key ways to remove central control while maintaining data integrity is to have a large, distributed network of independent users. This means that the computers that make up the network are in more than one location. These computers are often referred to as full nodes.

Figure 1-1 shows a visualization of the structure of the Bitcoin blockchain network. You can see it in action at http://dailyblockchain.github.io.

ssss1 The structure of the Bitcoin blockchain network.

To prevent the network from being corrupted, not only are blockchains decentralized, but they often also utilize a cryptocurrency. Blockchain networks produce cryptocurrencies as an incentive to maintain the integrity of the network. Many cryptocurrencies are traded on exchanges like stocks.

Cryptocurrencies work a little differently on each blockchain. Basically, the software pays the hardware to operate. The software is the blockchain protocol. Well-known blockchain protocols include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Bitcoin Cash, Stellar, and EOS. The hardware consists of the full nodes that are securing the data in the network. ssss1 covers Bitcoin, and ssss1 covers Ethereum.