> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://whitepaper.litho.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://whitepaper.litho.ai/docs/introduction/glossary.md).

# Glossary

Key terms and definitions used throughout the Lithosphere documentation.

| Term                    | Definition                                                                                                                                                                  |
| ----------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **BFT**                 | Byzantine Fault-Tolerant. A consensus algorithm that guarantees safety for up to a third of Byzantine (malicious) actors.                                                   |
| **Blockchain**          | A growing list of records, called blocks, that are linked together using cryptography.                                                                                      |
| **BSC**                 | Binance Smart Chain.                                                                                                                                                        |
| **Burn**                | A process by which digital currency miners and developers can remove tokens or coins from circulation.                                                                      |
| **CometBFT**            | The consensus engine (formerly Tendermint Core) used by Cosmos SDK-based chains including Lithosphere.                                                                      |
| **Cosmovisor**          | A process manager for Cosmos SDK-based blockchains that handles binary upgrades with minimal downtime.                                                                      |
| **Cross Chain**         | The interoperability between two relatively independent blockchains.                                                                                                        |
| **DApps**               | Decentralized Applications -- digital applications that run on a blockchain or peer-to-peer network of computers instead of a single computer.                              |
| **DeFi**                | Decentralized Finance -- financial applications built on blockchain technology without centralized intermediaries.                                                          |
| **DEX**                 | Decentralized Exchange.                                                                                                                                                     |
| **DKG**                 | Distributed Key Generation -- a cryptographic protocol where multiple parties jointly generate a key pair without any single party learning the full private key.           |
| **DNN**                 | Deep Neural Network -- used in Lithosphere to make smart contracts intelligent.                                                                                             |
| **ECDSA**               | Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm -- the signature algorithm used by Bitcoin, Ethereum, and supported by MDKM.                                                     |
| **ERC**                 | Ethereum Request for Comments -- a standard for token contracts on Ethereum.                                                                                                |
| **EVM**                 | Ethereum Virtual Machine -- a computation engine that acts like a decentralized computer. Lithosphere is EVM-compatible.                                                    |
| **Interoperability**    | The ability of computer systems or software to exchange and make use of information.                                                                                        |
| **LAX**                 | Lithosphere Algorithmic Cryptocurrency -- an algorithmic stablecoin in the Lithosphere ecosystem.                                                                           |
| **LEP100**              | Lithosphere Evolution Proposal 100 -- the multi-chain token standard for the Lithosphere network.                                                                           |
| **LinBFT**              | Linear-communication BFT Protocol -- Lithosphere's consensus algorithm proposed by Dr. David Yang.                                                                          |
| **LITHO**               | The native token of the Lithosphere network, used for transaction fees, staking, and governance.                                                                            |
| **LithoSwap**           | Lithosphere's cross-chain decentralized exchange with NFT exchange support.                                                                                                 |
| **LithoVM**             | Lithosphere's EVM-compatible virtual machine runtime.                                                                                                                       |
| **Lock-in**             | The process of establishing distributed control over a digital asset from another blockchain via MDKM.                                                                      |
| **Lock-out**            | The reversal of Lock-in, returning control of a digital asset to its owner.                                                                                                 |
| **MDKM**                | Myriad Distributed Key Management -- Lithosphere's system for distributed control and management of accounts and assets across blockchains. *(Roadmap — not yet on Makalu)* |
| **NFT**                 | Non-Fungible Token -- a unit of data stored on a blockchain that certifies a unique digital asset.                                                                          |
| **Pegged Coins**        | LEP100 tokens pegged to external assets (e.g., BTCL is BTC pegged to LEP100).                                                                                               |
| **PoS**                 | Proof of Stake -- a consensus mechanism where validators stake tokens to participate in block production.                                                                   |
| **Ring Signature**      | A cryptographic signature scheme that provides anonymity by combining the transaction sender with a group of decoy signers. *(Roadmap — not yet on Makalu)*                 |
| **Threshold Signature** | A signature scheme requiring a minimum number (k) of participants out of a total (n) to produce a valid signature. *(Roadmap — not yet on Makalu)*                          |
| **Time Slicing**        | A LEP100 feature that adds start and end time attributes to tokens, enabling time-limited token utility.                                                                    |
| **Token**               | A set of rules encoded in smart contracts. Each token belongs to a blockchain address and represents a digital asset stored on the blockchain.                              |
| **Traction**            | Drawing or pulling rate in a business context.                                                                                                                              |
| **Usufruct**            | The right to use and derive benefit from a digital asset without holding ownership, enabled by Lithosphere smart contracts.                                                 |
| **Validator**           | A node with positive voting power that participates in the consensus protocol by broadcasting cryptographic signatures to agree upon the next block.                        |
| **VSS**                 | Variable (Verifiable) Secret Sharing -- a cryptographic technique used in MDKM for distributing private key shares. *(Roadmap — not yet on Makalu)*                         |
| **White Paper**         | A guide about a specific topic and the problems that surround it, meant to educate readers.                                                                                 |


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