SIDECHAIN

A sidechain is a blockchain that typically sits on the side of a foundational layer 1 blockchain (i.e. Ethereum, Bitcoin, etc...). A sidechain typically has its own consensus mechanism and handles much of its computation outside of the foundational layer it sits beside. As a result, these sidechains typically support high throughput and offer lower transactional costs to use; however, since they use their own consensus mechanism, the security provided by the foundational chain they sit beside is not guaranteed.

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