Crypto Basics

What Is Blockchain?

~1 min read · Last updated: 2026-07-09

Blockchain is a type of digital ledger that records transactions across a network of computers. Instead of a single company or server holding all the data, copies of the ledger are distributed and updated together, which makes the record difficult to alter after the fact.

Most cryptocurrencies, including well-known ones like Bitcoin and Ethereum, are built on top of a blockchain. The blockchain keeps track of which account holds which units of an asset and records every transfer between accounts.

Understanding blockchain basics can help you make sense of terms you may encounter during registration and account activation, such as wallets, transactions, and network confirmations. See the Crypto Glossary for more terms.