# Blockchain

## What is a Blockchain?

Blockchain is **a shared, immutable ledger** that facilitates the process of recording transactions and tracking assets in a network. 

Those asset can be tangible (houses, cars, lands,...) or intangible (intellectual property, patents, copyrights,...).

<figure><img src="https://1716109615-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FaLpsXqP00Znm3KwSX02Z%2Fuploads%2FeFDZenG39grk3ioZIiYN%2FCaptura%20de%20pantalla%202022-08-29%20a%20las%2018.30.57.png?alt=media&#x26;token=7abbd50e-3c0c-4ee5-91fc-c10bcc0dfc13" alt=""><figcaption><p>Types of Blockchain</p></figcaption></figure>

* **Public:** These blockchains are completely open to following the idea of decentralization. They don’t have any restrictions, anyone having a computer and internet can participate in the network.
* **Private:** These blockchains are not as decentralized as the public blockchain only selected nodes can participate in the process, making it more secure than the others.
* **Hybrid:** It is the mixed content of the private and public blockchain, where some part is controlled by some organization and other makes are made visible as a public blockchain.
* **Consortium:** It is a creative approach that solves the needs of the organization. This blockchain validates the transaction and also initiates or receives transactions.

### Which one are we picking for XdYe?

In order to avoid long faucets on Ethereum network we will choose a different network, obviously EVM Compatible, we have picked a publicly-accessible network with permissioned validators called Energy Web Chain.&#x20;

We are going to build all the structure of our DEX on its testnet, **Volta**. In order to add the RPC to your Metamask, you can search it on [Chain List](https://chainlist.org/). Or add it manually with those parameters:

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Atention:** In this documentation we are going to talk about ETH referencing it as the coin used for paying transaction fees. In XdYe case when we say ETH, specially on code, we are going to be referencing **VT** (Volta). For Volta Network, it has the same purpose and usability as ETH for Ethereum Network.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="https://1716109615-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FaLpsXqP00Znm3KwSX02Z%2Fuploads%2FPMN4XeISB7EBhxC6UjQz%2FCaptura%20de%20pantalla%202022-08-31%20a%20las%208.51.06.png?alt=media&#x26;token=43dfbe98-bc4e-47e4-8023-bc9919c4f84e" alt=""><figcaption><p>Volta RPC, for manual add on Metamask</p></figcaption></figure>

For getting some VT token you can easily faucet in the following website:

{% embed url="<https://voltafaucet.energyweb.org/>" %}

{% hint style="info" %}
**Good to know:** be sure to submit the wallet you want to faucet and have already added the Volta RPC to your Metamask.
{% endhint %}