Archive Node
Node that stores full historical state for all blocks, enabling queries at any past block height.
Dapp Ahoy! World beyond Web3
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Archives: Glossary
Archives: Glossary
Arbitrum (Layer 2)
An Ethereum Layer 2 rollup family focused on lower fees and higher throughput while inheriting L1 security.
Arbitrage
Profiting from price differences for the same asset across markets or pools, often with bots and MEV techniques.
APY (Annual Percentage Yield)
Compounded yearly return, includes effect of reinvesting rewards. Often higher than APR.
APR (Annual Percentage Rate)
Non‑compounded yearly rate used to compare borrow and lend costs across protocols.
API Key
Secret credential used to authenticate API requests. Treat like a password, rotate if exposed.
API
Application Programming Interface, a contract for software to talk to other software, including blockchain RPCs.
Anti‑Money Laundering (AML)
Laws and controls to prevent illicit funds from moving through financial systems, often paired with KYC rules.
Anonymity Set
Number of indistinguishable participants in a privacy system. Larger sets usually mean stronger privacy.
Altcoin
Any cryptocurrency that is not Bitcoin. Broad term that spans utility, governance, meme, and stable tokens.
Alpha (Signal)
Information edge that can generate outsized returns, also used for early product previews in software.
