---
title: Glossary
description: A comprehensive list of terms used within the ecosystem.
---

A comprehensive list of terms used within the ecosystem.

#### App Review
An incentive mechanism for application developers in the early stage (first four years) of the ecosystem and helps with bootstrapping the two-sided market.

#### Atlas
A peer network provide a global index for discovery.

#### Bitcoin (BTC) address
A string of letters and numbers. A string of letters and numbers. A string of letters and numbers. `3E53XjqK4Cxt71BGeP2VhpcotM8LZ853C8` Sharing this address allows  anyone to send Bitcoin to the address.

#### block
A discrete group of records written to a blockchain that can effectively be identified and referenced by the use of headers that contain a digital fingerprint of the records each block contains.

#### blockchain
A database created and shared by the members of a peer-to-peer computer network which each member of that network can independently trust due to the rules governing the database’s creation. A blockchain can therefore be used to replace centralized databases. A database created and shared by the members of a peer-to-peer computer network which each member of that network can independently trust due to the rules governing the database’s creation. A blockchain can therefore be used to replace centralized databases. A blockchain can therefore be used to replace centralized databases.

#### Blockchain Name System (BNS)
Replacement for DNS. Replacement for DNS. More info [here](../noteworthy-contracts/bns-contract).

#### Blockstack Browser
A deprecated application for accessing identity and storage.

#### Blockstack Owner Address

Looks like a bitcoin address but starts with `ID` for example: `ID-1J3PUxY5uDShUnHRrMyU6yKtoHEUPhKULs`

#### Burning
Burning a token means that the token is transferred to an address that is a black hole—one that is not owned by any entity and for which guessing the applicable private key is effectively impossible based on known mathematical principles. This effectively destroys the token by making it unavailable for future use and decreases the total number of tokens available from that point forward. This effectively destroys the token by making it unavailable for future use and decreases the total number of tokens available from that point forward. This effectively destroys the token by making it unavailable for future use and decreases the total number of tokens available from that point forward.

#### consensus hash
A consensus hash is a cryptographic hash that each node calculates at each block. It is derived from the accepted state transitions in the last-processed block and a geometric series of prior-calculated consensus hashes. It is derived from the accepted state transitions in the last-processed block and a geometric series of prior-calculated consensus hashes. It is derived from the accepted state transitions in the last-processed block and a geometric series of prior-calculated consensus hashes.

#### Consensus rules
"The rules governing the creation of new valid records in a blockchain database and the mining algorithms used for this purpose.

#### control plane
The part of a network that carries signaling traffic and is responsible for routing. Control packets originate from or are destined for a router. Functions of the control plane include system configuration and management. The part of a network that carries signaling traffic and is responsible for routing. Control packets originate from or are destined for a router. Functions of the control plane include system configuration and management. Control packets originate from or are destined for a router. Functions of the control plane include system configuration and management. Functions of the control plane include system configuration and management.

#### core node
A server that runs Stacks Blockchain services.

#### crypto-asset
A digital asset which utilises cryptography, peer-to-peer networking and a public ledger to regulate the creation of new units, verify transactions and secure the transactions without the intervention of any middleman.

#### cryptography
The practise and study of encryption and decryption - encoding data so that it can only be decoded by specific individuals. A system for encrypting and decrypting data is a cryptosystem. The practise and study of encryption and decryption - encoding data so that it can only be decoded by specific individuals. A system for encrypting and decrypting data is a cryptosystem. A system for encrypting and decrypting data is a cryptosystem.

#### DAO
See Decentralized Autonomous Organization.

#### decentralized application (DApp)
A DApp is a service that enables direct interaction between end users and providers (e.g. connecting buyers and sellers in some marketplace, owners and stores in file storage). A term coined by Ethereum. See their glossary: http://ethdocs.org/en/latest/glossary.html#dapp" A term coined by Ethereum. See their glossary: http://ethdocs.org/en/latest/glossary.html#dapp" A term coined by Ethereum. See their glossary: http://ethdocs.org/en/latest/glossary.html#dapp"

#### Decentralized Autonomous Organization
A type of contract or suite of contracts on the blockchain that is intented to codify, enforce or automate the processes of an organization.

#### digital asset
Also referred to as a crypto-asset. Also referred to as a crypto-asset. Any set of unique digital information—including, for example, programs, decentralized programs, isolated chunks of programming code, collections of data, e-mail or web addresses or cryptocurrency tokens—that is capable of being stored and uniquely tracked on a computer network such as the Stacks network and over which a user can maintain control through that network. Also referred to as a crypto-asset. Any set of unique digital information—including, for example, programs, decentralized programs, isolated chunks of programming code, collections of data, e-mail or web addresses or cryptocurrency tokens—that is capable of being stored and uniquely tracked on a computer network such as the Stacks network and over which a user can maintain control through that network.

#### digital fingerprint
A digital fingerprint is a unique number of a fixed length that can be produced by running any set of digital information through something called a cryptographic hash function. Each set of digital information (including a digital asset, and the digital record of any network operation on that digital asset) should (as a practical matter) have a unique digital fingerprint, which allows that set of digital information to be identified. However, it is almost impossible to recreate a digital asset from its digital fingerprint. The Blockstack network uses industry-standard algorithms such as SHA-256 to create digital fingerprints. Each set of digital information (including a digital asset, and the digital record of any network operation on that digital asset) should (as a practical matter) have a unique digital fingerprint, which allows that set of digital information to be identified. However, it is almost impossible to recreate a digital asset from its digital fingerprint. The Blockstack network uses industry-standard algorithms such as SHA-256 to create digital fingerprints. Each set of digital information (including a digital asset, and the digital record of any network operation on that digital asset) should (as a practical matter) have a unique digital fingerprint, which allows that set of digital information to be identified. However, it is almost impossible to recreate a digital asset from its digital fingerprint. The Blockstack network uses industry-standard algorithms such as SHA-256 to create digital fingerprints.

#### digital signature
A digital signature is a sequence of digital information combining a user’s private key and any digital information that the user wishes to sign. A digital signature is a sequence of digital information combining a user’s private key and any digital information that the user wishes to sign. Any other party can use the user’s paired public key to verify that the digital signature is authentic, i.e. that the public key was generated from a particular piece of digital information and the user’s private key. A digital signature is a sequence of digital information combining a user’s private key and any digital information that the user wishes to sign. Any other party can use the user’s paired public key to verify that the digital signature is authentic, i.e. that the public key was generated from a particular piece of digital information and the user’s private key.

#### distributed hash tables (DHT)
A form of network used to store some content in the form of key/value pairs. ... A form of network used to store some content in the form of key/value pairs. ... This experimental project try to avoid keeping all the blockchain, but instead prefers to store it in a DHT. ... A form of network used to store some content in the form of key/value pairs. ... This experimental project try to avoid keeping all the blockchain, but instead prefers to store it in a DHT.

#### ephemeral key
A cryptographic key is called ephemeral if it is generated for each execution of a key establishment process.

#### fork
The term fork is used to refer both to any situation where there are two or more competing versions of a blockchain on a network (a situation that may arise and resolve itself in the ordinary course of network operations due to lags in communication between core nodes) and any software update that is proposed for adoption by the core nodes of a blockchain network that may result in a persistent fork on the network, with core nodes that adopt the update recognizing one version of the blockchain and those which do not recognizing another.

#### Gaia
Decentralized storage architecture for off-chain data. More info [here](../gaia). More info [here](../gaia). More info [here](../gaia).

#### genesis block
The genesis block is the first block of the Stacks blockchain, which will create the initial 1.32 billion Stacks Tokens.

#### id.blockstack
An identifier in the Blockstack, for example meepers.id.blockstack.  This is your name & identity that is registered in the .id namespace on Blockstack. Your personal data and storage are built around this ID. Apps that want to access your data use your permission and identity to find it.  An id is usually a shorthand for a longer, hash ID string, for example ID-1Fj9kkw15P51Fj9kkw15P5xJmyefWhLKrQMKNPREfaqsJ"  This is your name & identity that is registered in the .id namespace on Blockstack. Your personal data and storage are built around this ID. Apps that want to access your data use your permission and identity to find it.  An id is usually a shorthand for a longer, hash ID string, for example ID-1Fj9kkw15P51Fj9kkw15P5xJmyefWhLKrQMKNPREfaqsJ"  This is your name & identity that is registered in the .id namespace on Blockstack. Your personal data and storage are built around this ID. Apps that want to access your data use your permission and identity to find it.  An id is usually a shorthand for a longer, hash ID string, for example ID-1Fj9kkw15P51Fj9kkw15P5xJmyefWhLKrQMKNPREfaqsJ"

#### identity

A way to identify a person or an organization on the Stacks network. A way to identify a person or an organization on the Stacks network. An identity is unique, both `meepers.id.blockstack` or `chad.id` are examples of IDs. A way to identify a person or an organization on the Stacks network. An identity is unique, both `meepers.id.blockstack` or `chad.id` are examples of IDs.

#### identity management (IDM)
Identity management, also known as identity and access management is, in computer security, the security and business discipline that enables the right individuals to access the right resources at the right times and for the right reason".

#### know your customer (KYC)
Or KYC, is a popular term used in the banking or financial field. Or KYC, is a popular term used in the banking or financial field. KYC is a process where financial institutions, insurers and other companies obtain information about the identity and address of the customers as part of risk management. Or KYC, is a popular term used in the banking or financial field. KYC is a process where financial institutions, insurers and other companies obtain information about the identity and address of the customers as part of risk management.

#### light clients
Clients that can independently validate the existence of transactions by downloading only block headers and not the entire blockchain.

#### magic recovery code

A long encrypted string, for example: `36mWivFdy0YPH2z31EflpQz/Y0UMrOrJ++lH=0EI7c3mop2JuRBm5WXxSTazJsUjOA...` Do not share the QR code that accompanied your recovery code either. This is a QR code:

![](/img/qr-code.png)

#### mesh network
A local network topology in which the infrastructure nodes (i.e. bridges, switches, and other infrastructure devices) connect directly, dynamically and non-hierarchically to as many other nodes as possible and cooperate with one another to efficiently route data from/to clients.

#### mining
Mining generally refers to the process of performing certain functions for a network such as adding new records to a blockchain in exchange for mining rewards; it may also refer to other mechanisms whereby rewards (usually in the form of cryptocurrency) are provided for performing other tasks helpful to the network.

#### mining power
A miner’s (or group of miners’) mining power is equal to the probability it will be selected to write a new block to the blockchain. Depending on the mechanism for mining, this is usually related to the overall share of computing power or cryptoassets the miner or miners possess relative to all miners for that blockchain. Depending on the mechanism for mining, this is usually related to the overall share of computing power or cryptoassets the miner or miners possess relative to all miners for that blockchain. Depending on the mechanism for mining, this is usually related to the overall share of computing power or cryptoassets the miner or miners possess relative to all miners for that blockchain.

#### mining rewards
Mining rewards are newly issued tokens received by miners in exchange for adding new records to the blockchain or other activities beneficial to the network.

#### name
An identifier or name. Names are a type of digital asset in the Stacks network. An identifier or name. Names are a type of digital asset in the Stacks network. If you have signed into the Stacks Wallet, you might have created a name. If an application developer registered an application within Stacks, then they registered a name. Public Stacking pools can also have a name. If an application developer registered an application within Stacks, then they registered a name. Public Stacking pools can also have a name.

#### network operation
A network operation is any change to the information about a digital asset (or smart contract) stored on a blockchain, including, for example, a change in the digital asset’s owner, or a change in the location at which it is stored on the network. How and when these network operations are performed for each digital asset is governed, on the Blockstack network, either by the Stacks Node software or a smart contract. How and when these network operations are performed for each digital asset is governed, on the Blockstack network, either by the Stacks Node software or a smart contract. How and when these network operations are performed for each digital asset is governed, on the Blockstack network, either by the Stacks Node software or a smart contract.

#### NFT
Non fungible token.

#### private key

Private keys matches a corresponding public key.  Private keys matches a corresponding public key.  Private keys matches a corresponding public key.  A public key also looks like a string of letters and numbers:

![](/img/private.png)

The exact format of the public and private key depend on the software you use to create them.

#### proof-of-burn mining
The consensus algorithm used in the Stacks blockchain where miners destroy a proof-of-work-based cryptocurrency (currently Bitcoin) to get tokens; this enables the functionality where nodes can select between conflicting blockchain forks, as the blockchain fork with the most amount of cryptocurrency burned is considered to be the correct fork.

#### proof-of-work
A proof-of-work system or proof-of-work mining is a mining mechanism where miners must expend computing power to solve complicated cryptographic puzzles, and prove that they have done so by writing the solution to the blockchain, in order to be allowed to add blocks to a blockchain. This is the mining system used, for example, by Bitcoin. This is the mining system used, for example, by Bitcoin. This is the mining system used, for example, by Bitcoin.

#### public key
Public and private key pair comprise of two uniquely related cryptographic keys. Public and private key pair comprise of two uniquely related cryptographic keys. Public and private key pair comprise of two uniquely related cryptographic keys. It looks like a long random string of letters and numbers: `3048 0241 00C9 18FA CF8D EB2D EFD5 FD37 89B9 E069 EA97 FC20 …` The exact format of the public and private key depend on the software you use to create them.

#### Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
A system which returns a cryptographic public key associated with a name.

#### replicated state machines (RSMs)
This is a model for reasoning about distributed computer programs -- any program (plus it's input) can be represented as a state machine, and when trying to get a distributed set of servers to agree on the output of an algorithm, you can model that process as N different state machines"

#### Secret recovery Key,
Used to access an identity on the Stacks blockchain. Used to access an identity on the Stacks blockchain. A 24-word sequence of words for example: `applied binge crisp pictorial fiery` `dancing agreeable frogs light finish ping apple` Used to access an identity on the Stacks blockchain. A 24-word sequence of words for example: `applied binge crisp pictorial fiery` `dancing agreeable frogs light finish ping apple`

#### seed phrase

Used to access Stacks Wallet software. The seed phrase consists of 24 words in a sequence. Both the word *and its position the sequence*  are important. Write down your seed phrase and store it in a secure location such as a safe deposit box. When you write the seed phrase down, include its position, for example,`1-frog, 2-horse, 3-building` and so on until you reach a final position `24-ocean`.
#### smart contract
A smart contract is a computer program written to a blockchain such as the Stacks blockchain by developers. This computer program defines the various network operations that can be performed on the digital assets on the blockchain, the computations that can be performed using the smart contract, along with defining various important properties of the respective digital assets like ownership rights and the cost in fuel required to register the digital assets. This computer program defines the various network operations that can be performed on the digital assets on the blockchain, the computations that can be performed using the smart contract, along with defining various important properties of the respective digital assets like ownership rights and the cost in fuel required to register the digital assets. This computer program defines the various network operations that can be performed on the digital assets on the blockchain, the computations that can be performed using the smart contract, along with defining various important properties of the respective digital assets like ownership rights and the cost in fuel required to register the digital assets.

#### soft fork
A soft fork is a proposed update to the software governing the network that results in a post-update network that is compatible with the network as it existed prior to the update, because it restricts the network operations that can be performed after the update.

#### Stacks (STX) address

 A STX address is a string of letters and numbers starting with an `SP` or `SM`, for example: `SM3KJBA4RZ7Z20KD2HBXNSXVPCR1D3CRAV6Q05MKT` If you created a software-only wallet with the Stacks Wallet software, the wallet has a single STX address which is also sometimes called the *wallet address*. You access a software wallet with a *seed phrase*. " You access a software wallet with a *seed phrase*. " You access a software wallet with a *seed phrase*. "

#### Stacks blockchain
The Stacks blockchain is the custom blockchain being developed for use by the Stacks network that will use the Stacks token as its native currency and which will include the genesis block and subsequent blocks created by the mining activities described in the Stacks Network—Development of the Stacks network.

#### Stacks Explorer
An application that allow you to view and search transactions in the blockchain. For example, https://explorer.stacks.co. For example, https://explorer.stacks.co. For example, https://explorer.stacks.co.

#### Stacks node
A complete version of our open-source software available on Github at https://github.com/stacks-network/stacks-blockchain/ that governs the creation of the blockchain, the smart contracts that may be written to our blockchain, and other systems that make up the Stacks network, when run on the systems and devices of our users and developers.

#### Stacks wallet
An application for accessing assets, identity and storage. More information and example [here](../services-using-stacks/wallets). An application for accessing assets, identity and storage. Examples are the [Hiro Wallet](https://www.hiro.so/wallet), [xverse](https://www.xverse.app/) and [dcent](https://dcentwallet.com/).

#### storage hub
A Gaia instance run by a hub provider or software. A Gaia hub stores data in a separate, addressed location.

#### storage provider
A third-party company cloud or software provider that hosts one or more Gaia storage hubs.

#### transaction
A transaction is a unit of work within a block.

#### transaction fee
Fees paid by participants in a transaction to miners.

#### two-sided market problem
Economic platforms having two distinct user groups that provide each other with network benefits. The Stacks platform is a classic two-sided market. Economic platforms having two distinct user groups that provide each other with network benefits. The Stacks platform is a classic two-sided market. The Stacks platform is a classic two-sided market.

#### username
A shorthand name for your id.blockstack.

#### virtual blockchain
A layer that sits on top of a blockchain that introduces new functionality and operations without requiring changes to the underlying blockchain.

#### wallet address
A wallet address is the form in which a public key can be presented and recorded on a blockchain. Wallet addresses are therefore used to assign the ownership of digital assets on the Blockstack network. A wallet address is the form in which a public key can be presented and recorded on a blockchain. Wallet addresses are therefore used to assign the ownership of digital assets on the Blockstack network. Wallet addresses are therefore used to assign the ownership of digital assets on the Blockstack network.

#### watch-only wallet
A wallet without send and receive ability. A wallet without send and receive ability. You can view only balances and transaction history.

#### web of trust mining
Web-of-trust mining provides incentive mechanisms for users where an initial trusted-set of unique users is curated in the genesis block and, in the future, the initial set of users can expand the web-of-trust after the network goes live.

#### web3
The exact definition is still under discussion, but it general refers to the 3rd generation of the web that is based on blockchain technology and incorporates decentralized and token-based economics.

#### zone file
A Domain Name System (DNS) zone file is a text file that describes a DNS zone. A Domain Name System (DNS) zone file is a text file that describes a DNS zone. A DNS zone is a subset, often a single domain, of the hierarchical domain name structure of the DNS. A Domain Name System (DNS) zone file is a text file that describes a DNS zone. A DNS zone is a subset, often a single domain, of the hierarchical domain name structure of the DNS.
