
Smart contracts execute automatically on the blockchain
Image: photo taken by: de:User:Stahlkocher, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Smart contracts execute automatically on the blockchain
Smart contracts are computer programs or transaction protocols that automatically execute events and actions according to the terms of a contract. They are designed to reduce the need for trusted intermediaries, arbitration costs, and fraud losses. Smart contracts are commonly associated with cryptocurrencies and are a fundamental building block for decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible token (NFT) applications.
Example
A smart contract on Ethereum can automatically transfer cryptocurrency from one party to another when certain conditions are met, without the need for a third-party intermediary.
Understanding smart contracts is crucial for grasping the potential of decentralized finance and the broader implications for traditional financial systems.
Proof of work
Miners solve puzzles to validate Bitcoin transactions
Proof of stake
Validators lock ETH as collateral to verify blocks
a 51% attack is
A 51% attack involves controlling over half of the mining power to manipulate the blockchain
Coase theorem
Coase theorem: With zero transaction costs, parties negotiate efficient outcomes
the blockchain trilemma says
The blockchain trilemma posits you can optimize only 2 of decentralization, security, and scalability
High-frequency trading
HFT firms move in and out of positions in seconds or fractions of a second
Educational content, not financial advice.
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