Blockchain – the technology behind Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies
Node – a computer on the network that has a copy of the blockchain and maintains it
Mining – the process of solving a block of transactions
Mining Rig – the hardware required for the processing of the Proof of Work blockchains
Fork – where the blockchain has been split into two
PoW – Proof of Work, the current consensus algorithm that Ethereum uses
PoS – Proof of Stake – the future algorithm that Ethereum will use Sharding – blockchain scaling solution. Right now, a copy of the blockchain is held on each node. Sharding allows each node to hold just a partial copy of the entire blockchain to increase consensus speed and network performance
Software Wallet – where cryptocurrencies are stored. The wallet is a software file on the internet and can usually be generated free of charge
Hardware Wallet – a hardware device that stores your cryptocurrency securely, one of the most secure methods of storage
Cold Storage – moving your stored cryptocurrency offline for safe keeping. Methods to doing this include printing out a QR code for your wallet and storing it, using a hardware wallet or by moving the software wallet files onto an external storage source and then storing that somewhere secure
