Link to this headingCrypto Currency

List of the most common Currencies

  • Ethereum (ETH): Uses the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and supports Turing-complete smart contracts. That has Transitioned from PoW to Proof-of-Stake (PoS) with Ethereum 2.0.
  • Bitcoin (BTC): The first and most widely recognized cryptocurrency, serving as digital gold and a store of value.
  • Tether (USDT): A stablecoin pegged to the US dollar backed by Tether. Using many different chains including Ethereum (ERC-20) and the TRON (TRC-20)
  • XRP (XRP): Utilizes a consensus ledger with validator nodes instead of mining, ensuring faster and cheaper transactions.
  • Tether (USDT): A stablecoin pegged to the US dollar backed by Tether. Using many diffrent chains including Etherium (ERC-20) and the TRON (TRC-20)
  • Cardano (ADA): Implements the Ouroboros PoS consensus, designed for security and energy efficiency, with a layered blockchain architecture for scalability.
  • Solana (SOL): Uses Proof-of-History (PoH) combined with PoS to achieve high throughput and low latency
  • USD Coin (USDC): A fiat-backed stablecoin utilizing ERC-20 and other blockchain standards for cross-chain compatibility.
  • Dogecoin (DOGE): Originated as a meme coin, that uses fork of Litecoin using Scrypt-based PoW mining
  • Shiba Inu (SHIB): A meme-based coin using the Ethereum (ERC-20) chain with DEX and staking.
  • Polkadot (DOT): Facilitates interoperability between different blockchains, allowing them to communicate and share information.
  • Avalanche (AVAX): Employs a unique consensus protocol that utilizes multiple validators to achieve high scalability without sacrificing decentralization.
  • Chainlink (LINK): Provides decentralized oracles that connect smart contracts with real-world data, enabling more complex applications.
  • Litecoin (LTC): Uses Scrypt PoW for faster block times compared to Bitcoin, aiming to enhance transaction speed and efficiency.
  • Uniswap (UNI): A leading decentralized exchange (DEX) that allows users to trade tokens directly from their wallets without intermediaries.
  • Binance Coin (BNB): Initially launched to pay for trading fees on the Binance exchange, it has evolved into a utility token with various use cases within the Binance ecosystem.
  • Stellar (XLM): Uses the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP), which relies on a quorum-based federated model for transaction validation.
  • Monero (XMR): Implements CryptoNote and ring signatures to ensure untraceable transactions, enhancing privacy and anonymity.
  • Bitcoin Cash (BCH): A Bitcoin fork that increases block size to improve scalability and lower transaction costs.
  • Algorand (ALGO): Uses Pure Proof-of-Stake (PPoS) for instant finality and high throughput without forking risks.
  • VeChain (VET): Utilizes a dual-token system and Proof-of-Authority (PoA) consensus to facilitate enterprise adoption in supply chain tracking.
  • Filecoin (FIL): A decentralized storage network using Proof-of-Replication (PoRep) and Proof-of-Spacetime (PoSt) to verify stored data.
  • Tezos (XTZ): Features on-chain governance, allowing protocol upgrades via stakeholder voting without requiring forks.
  • EOS (EOS): Uses Delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS) for fast transactions and high scalability, enabling enterprise-level dApps.
  • Tron (TRX): Uses DPoS and focuses on high transaction speeds, targeting content creators with decentralized media applications.
  • Neo (NEO): Supports digital identity and assets using a dBFT (Delegated Byzantine Fault Tolerance) consensus mechanism.
  • Cosmos (ATOM): Enables interoperability between independent blockchains via the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol.
  • Internet Computer (ICP): Uses a unique chain-key cryptography model to enable web-based smart contract execution without traditional servers.
  • Hedera Hashgraph (HBAR): Implements a Hashgraph consensus mechanism, which provides asynchronous Byzantine fault tolerance (ABFT) for high throughput.
  • Aave (AAVE): Uses Ethereum smart contracts for decentralized lending, enabling innovative features like flash loans.
  • Theta Network (THETA): Utilizes a multi-level node structure with Edge Nodes to optimize decentralized video streaming.
  • Elrond (EGLD): Uses Adaptive State Sharding and a Secure PoS consensus for high transaction throughput and scalability.
  • PancakeSwap (CAKE): A BSC-based AMM DEX, leveraging BSC’s low fees and high-speed block finality.
  • Kusama (KSM): Acts as Polkadot’s experimental network, testing new features before mainnet deployment, using the same parachain model.
  • Huobi Token (HT): An ERC-20 token that integrates with Huobi’s ecosystem, using BSC for faster transactions and lower fees.
  • SushiSwap (SUSHI): A Uniswap fork with added governance and incentive mechanisms for liquidity providers.
  • Dash (DASH): Implements InstantSend and PrivateSend features, enhancing Bitcoin’s original model for speed and privacy.
  • Zcash (ZEC): Uses zk-SNARKs (zero-knowledge proofs) to enable shielded transactions, ensuring privacy.
  • Waves (WAVES): Uses a Leased Proof-of-Stake (LPoS) model and enables token issuance with minimal programming knowledge.
  • Maker (MKR): Manages DAI, a decentralized stablecoin, through collateralized debt positions (CDPs) on Ethereum.
  • Compound (COMP): Uses algorithmic interest rate models for decentralized lending and borrowing on Ethereum.
  • Enjin Coin (ENJ): Uses Ethereum’s ERC-1155 token standard for gaming asset tokenization and NFT creation.
  • Decred (DCR): Employs a hybrid PoW/PoS consensus for on-chain governance and security enhancements.
  • Stacks (STX): Enables smart contracts on Bitcoin by using a novel consensus mechanism called Proof-of-Transfer (PoX).
  • NEM (XEM): Introduced the Proof-of-Importance (PoI) consensus, rewarding network participation rather than just staking.
  • Holo (HOT): Uses a distributed hash table (DHT) instead of blockchain for hosting decentralized applications.
  • Qtum (QTUM): Combines Bitcoin’s UTXO model with Ethereum’s smart contract capabilities via an Account Abstraction Layer.
  • Ontology (ONT): Specializes in decentralized identity solutions using a dual-token model for governance and utility.
  • ICON (ICX): Uses a Loopchain protocol for cross-chain interoperability and scalable smart contract execution.
  • Siacoin (SC): Uses file contracts and erasure coding for decentralized storage verification and redundancy.
  • Revain (REV): Implements blockchain immutability for verified review storage, ensuring transparency in online feedback systems.

Link to this headingBitcoin (BTC)

Link to this headingEthereum (ETH) Tokens

Below are common Tokens that exist on the ETH blockchain

Link to this headingAave (AAVE)

  • users to lend, borrow, and earn interest on crypto assets using smart contracts instead of banks.
  • offers flash loans—collateral-free, instant loans settled within one transaction—charging a 0.09% fee if repaid on time, enabling arbitrage and other DeFi strategies.
  • Borrowers must provide collateral (e.g., ETH or stablecoins) to secure loans; if collateral value drops too low, assets may be liquidated to cover the loan.
  • Decentralized oracle network, enabling smart contracts to securely access real-world data like asset prices, weather, and location.
  • provides reliable, tamper-proof external data, allowing smart contracts to function without relying on centralized data sources.
  • nodes stake LINK tokens and are incentivized to provide accurate data using the LINK token.

Link to this headingCompound (COMP)

  • DeFi platform on Ethereum that enables users to lend crypto assets to earn interest (APY) and borrow other assets by providing collateral.
  • Interest rates are algorithmically adjusted based on supply and demand within each market, with yields earned in the form of cTokens and additional COMP token rewards.

Link to this headingMakerDAO (MKR, DAI)

  • Has a native USD stablecoin DAI that is useful for lend and borrow cryptocurrencies using smart contracts.
  • MakerDAO was the first DeFi protocol to reach $1 billion in total value locked (TVL) in 2020

Link to this headingOrchid (OXT)

  • Blockchain enabled VPN
  • bandwidth users (VPN customers using apps on Android, iOS, and Mac) and bandwidth providers (nodes that share surplus internet bandwidth by staking OXT tokens).
  • Orchid aims to replace centralized VPNs with a distributed, privacy-focused network where users pay for bandwidth using OXT, enhancing security and reducing reliance on single points of failure.

Link to this headingOMG Network (OMG)

  • Aims to bridge blockchain networks with traditional payment systems (e.g., Visa, Swift), allowing seamless transfers between blockchains and fiat currencies.
  • Charges uniform fees regardless of the currencies or blockchains involved, making it attractive for payment processors and financial institutions.

Link to this headingUSD Coin (USDC)

Link to this headingBase

https://www.base.org/

Link to this headingAlgorand (ALGO)

  • uses Pure Proof of Stake (PPoS) consensus
  • can earn tokens when staking to get the chance to validate transactions and create new blocks.

Link to this headingSolana (SOL)

Link to this headingPolkadot (DOT)

Link to this headingRipple (XRP)

Link to this headingLitecoin (LTC)

Link to this headingTron (TRX)

Link to this headingTezos (XTZ)

Link to this headingEOS (EOS)

Link to this headingBitcoin Cash (BCH)

  • Is a fork of the original Bitcoin with a larger block size limit of 32MB (vs. Bitcoin’s 1MB), enabling faster transaction processing, lower fees, and higher transaction throughput per second.

Link to this headingCardano (ADA)

  • Uses smart contracts like ETH but uses the Ouroboros proof-of-stake consensus mechanism
  • The Cardano Settlement Layer (CSL) handles transactions and account balances, while the Cardano Computing Layer (CCL) executes smart contracts and decentralized apps, enabling high scalability.

Link to this headingCosmos (ATOM)

  • Has multiple chains and communicate via the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol allowing secure and efficient cross-chain transfers and data sharing without relying on intermediaries.

Link to this headingDash (DASH)

  • regular nodes handle transactions, while Masternodes provide instant confirmations, enhanced privacy (via PrivateSend), and governance.

Link to this headingEnjin Coin (ENJ)

  • Used mostly for NFTs as it helped develop the ERC-1155 standard

Link to this headingEOSIO （EOS）

  • Utilizes parallel processing and a Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS) consensus mechanism

Link to this headingFilecoin (FIL)

  • Is a P2P storage mechanism. It uses storage miners (who store data) and retrieval miners (who provide bandwidth to fetch data), enabling a global, trustless marketplace for storage and retrieval services.

Link to this headingThe Graph (GRT)

  • Stores data in a graphql accessible endpoint.

Link to this headingInternet Computer (ICP)

  • decentralized computing network by connecting independent data centers worldwide

Link to this headingLitecoin (LTC)

  • Forked Bitcoin with some faster changes
  • Litecoin uses a different mining algorithm (Scrypt) than Bitcoin (SHA-256), which allows for more decentralized mining and faster block generation.

Link to this headingPolkadot

Link to this headingPolygon (MATIC)

Link to this headingSolana (SOL)

Link to this headingStellar Lumens (XLM)

Link to this headingSushiSwap (SUSHI)

Link to this headingSynthetix (SNX)

Link to this headingTezos (XTZ)

Link to this headingUniswap (UNI)

Link to this headingYearn.finance (YFI)

Link to this headingZcash (ZEC)

Link to this headingCommon Definitions

Smart Contracts

  • CEX (Centralized EXchange): a corporation that is used to facilitate transfers. Example Coinbase Kraken etc.
  • DEX (Decentralized EXchange): A Smart Contract that is used to swap or exchange coins or tokens
  • Vote Escrow: Lock Up tokens to get the ability to vote on changes. Usually the longer the lockup period the more voting power you have.
  • Vote Escrow: Lock Up tokens to get the ability to vote on changes. Usually the longer the lockup peroid the more voting power you have.