human
I've been reading a lot about cryptocurrencies and blockchains lately. What is the difference between them?
assistant
The main difference between cryptocurrencies and blockchains is that cryptocurrencies are digital currencies that are decentralized, meaning they are not controlled by any central authority or bank. They are typically created through a process called “mining” which involves solving complex algorithms to create new blocks of data in a chain. This creates a permanent record of transactions that can be verified publicly and securely. Blockchain technology, on the other hand, is an electronic ledger system that records transactions made with cryptocurrencies and other assets. It is distributed across multiple computers, making it virtually impossible for anyone to tamper with the data.