Technology · Beginner lesson · about 2 minutes
Privacy
Public ledgers can reveal more than a beginner expects.
The short answer
A transparent blockchain can expose balances, counterparties, and patterns. Privacy tools try to reduce what a public observer can learn, but exchanges, devices, and your own disclosures can still identify you.
In plain English
A transparent blockchain can expose balances, counterparties, and patterns. Privacy tools try to reduce what a public observer can learn, but exchanges, devices, and your own disclosures can still identify you.
The details differ by network and service, so use the linked sources and the project’s own documentation when a decision depends on current behavior.
What can go wrong
Read this before you act.
Optional privacy features, reused addresses, malware, and off-chain records can undo on-chain hiding.
Check your understanding
A few questions. Not a test.
Pick an answer to see why it's right or wrong. There's no score to unlock.
Sources and corrections
This lesson is a starting point. The two sites below are good general places to learn more. Please tell us if something needs fixing.