AI and blockchain, explained from the ground up.
Every term in a few sentences, with an example from the familiar world of finance and everyday life and one sentence to pass on. No tech jargon, no hype. Just search or browse.
- InfrastructureIntermediate
DePIN
DePIN stands for networks in which many individuals provide physical infrastructure such as radio antennas, storage, sensors or computing power and are paid in tokens for it.
Read explanation → - InfrastructureAdvanced
Fork
A fork is a change to a blockchain's rules; in a hard fork the network splits into two chains if not everyone agrees to the new rules.
Read explanation → - InfrastructureIntermediate
Gas (network fees)
Gas is the fee paid to the network for every transaction on Ethereum and similar networks; it rises when many people want to send at once.
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Layer 1
Layer 1 is the base blockchain itself, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, where final settlement and security reside.
Read explanation → - InfrastructureIntermediate
Layer 2
Layer 2 is an additional layer on top of a blockchain that settles transactions quickly and cheaply and only secures the result on the base layer.
Read explanation → - InfrastructureBasics
Mining
Mining is the competition in which computers solve computational puzzles to earn the right to append the next block to the Bitcoin blockchain and receive new bitcoin for it.
Read explanation → - InfrastructureIntermediate
Proof of stake (PoS)
Proof of stake is the consensus method in which deposited capital serves as the ticket: those who pledge coins may confirm blocks and risk the pledge if they cheat.
Read explanation → - InfrastructureIntermediate
Proof of work (PoW)
Proof of work is the consensus method in which computational effort serves as the ticket: only those who can prove they did the work may append a block.
Read explanation → - InfrastructureIntermediate
Staking
Staking means depositing coins in a proof-of-stake network as collateral and receiving a reward from network fees and newly created coins.
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21 Oaks Capital GmbH acts as a tied agent exclusively for the account and under the liability of AHP Capital Management GmbH, Weißfrauenstraße 12-16, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany. This wiki is a general information service provided by 21 Oaks Capital GmbH. Its content does not constitute individual investment advice and is not a recommendation by AHP Capital Management GmbH. 21 Oaks Capital GmbH, its affiliated companies, the funds it advises or its employees may hold positions in assets explained in this wiki. The explanations are independent of this; the disclosure is made for reasons of transparency.
