Decentralized application

This article is about trustless decentralized applications (DApp). For other types of decentralized applications, see Distributed computing.

A decentralised application (DApp,[1] dApp,[2] Dapp, or dapp) is an application that can operate autonomously, typically through the use of smart contracts, that run on a decentralized computing, blockchain or other distributed ledger system.[3] Like traditional applications, DApps provide some function or utility to its users. However, unlike traditional applications, DApps operate without human intervention and are not owned by any one entity, rather DApps distribute tokens that represent ownership.[3] These tokens are distributed according to a programmed algorithm to the users of the system, diluting ownership and control of the DApp. Without any one entity controlling the system, the application is therefore decentralised.

Decentralised applications have been popularised by distributed ledger technologies (DLT), such as the Ethereum or Cardano blockchain, on which DApps are built, amongst other public blockchains.[4]

DApps are divided into numerous categories: exchanges, businesses, gambling, games, finance, development, storage, wallet, governance, property, identity, media, social, security, energy, insurance, health, etc.[5][clarification needed]

  1. ^ "CVC Money Transmission Services Provided Through Decentralized Applications (DApps)" (PDF). FinCEN. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
  2. ^ "IEEE DAPPS 2020". ieeedapps.net. Archived from the original on 2020-04-26. Retrieved 2020-08-15.
  3. ^ a b Andoni, Merlinda; Robu, Valentin; Flynn, David; Abram, Simone; Geach, Dale; Jenkins, David; McCallum, Peter; Peacock, Andrew (2019-02-01). "Blockchain technology in the energy sector: A systematic review of challenges and opportunities". Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 100: 143–174. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2018.10.014. ISSN 1364-0321. S2CID 116422191.
  4. ^ Popper, Nathaniel (1 October 2017). "Understanding Ethereum, Bitcoin's Virtual Cousin (Published 2017)". The New York Times.
  5. ^ Wu, Kaidong; Ma, Yun; Huang, Gang; Liu, Xuanzhe (2021). "A first look at blockchain-based decentralized applications". Software: Practice and Experience. 51 (10): 2033–2050. arXiv:1909.00939. doi:10.1002/spe.2751. ISSN 1097-024X. S2CID 202541736.