Core Protocol Components

The æternity blockchain offers a robust suite of core components designed to power the next generation of decentralized applications. At the heart of the protocol lies the Next Generation Nakamoto consensus mechanism, which achieves significantly higher throughput compared to traditional blockchains through its innovative use of key-blocks and micro-blocks. The ecosystem includes Generalized Accounts that provide flexible authentication options beyond standard signatures, Smart Contracts with Sophia - a functional programming language built for security, and State Channels for off-chain transaction processing. Additionally, æternity features built-in Oracles for bringing real-world data onto the blockchain, creating a comprehensive infrastructure that combines scalability, security, and developer-friendly tools in one cohesive platform. Each of these components is explored in detail in the following sections, providing comprehensive documentation for both developers and users to understand and leverage the full potential of the æternity blockchain.