REFERENCE DESK / 2026
A working glossary for digital currency infrastructure.
Definitions are compact starting points. Each term can change meaning with a protocol, implementation or measurement boundary. Read the surrounding documentation before using a definition for a technical or operational decision.
Network terms
Consensus
A process through which network participants agree on the state or ordering of records.
Finality
A property describing when a record is considered settled under a protocol's rules.
Validator
An operator or software process that performs duties defined by a proof-of-stake protocol.
Delegation
An arrangement in which a participant assigns protocol weight or voting authority through a defined mechanism.
Client diversity
The presence of more than one software implementation capable of participating in a network.
Slashing
A protocol-defined consequence associated with specified validator behaviour or failures.
Governance
The rules and processes by which changes, parameters or community decisions are proposed and recorded.
Epoch
A protocol-defined period used to organise events such as validator duties or reward accounting.
Mining and measurement terms
| Term | Plain-language meaning | Check before comparing |
|---|---|---|
| Hashrate | Computational work performed or estimated over time | Unit, measurement method, hardware and time window |
| Difficulty | A protocol or system parameter affecting the work required | Adjustment schedule and network-specific definition |
| Uptime | The period a service or machine is available under a stated measure | Monitoring method, exclusions and reporting interval |
| Power draw | Electrical consumption measured at a defined point | Wall, system or component measurement boundary |
How to use a definition
- Read the term in the source where you found it.
- Check whether the source uses a protocol-specific meaning.
- Locate the unit, time period or participant role involved.
- Compare it with a primary document or technical reference.
- Write down the remaining ambiguity before drawing a conclusion.
- Do not compare figures with different boundaries.
- Do not treat a glossary entry as a recommendation.
“A definition is a door into a subject, not a substitute for the room behind it.”
Hovolo's glossary is maintained for educational reading and may be updated when protocol documentation or common usage changes.
Common questions
Why can two sources define one term differently?
Protocols can use the same word for different mechanisms, and general media may simplify a technical term. The source's own definition and measurement boundary should take priority.
Are these definitions legal or financial advice?
No. They explain vocabulary only. A specific situation should be discussed with an appropriately qualified professional.
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