EVM
The EVM (Ethereum Virtual Machine) runs smart contracts on Ethereum and on compatible chains, which share its address format and tooling.
What Is a EVM?
The Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) is the execution environment that runs smart contracts on Ethereum. Many other networks implement the same machine, among them BNB Smart Chain, Polygon PoS, Avalanche C-Chain and layer 2s such as Arbitrum, Optimism and Base. These are called EVM-compatible chains.
Because they share the EVM, these chains share the 0x address format and token standards such as ERC-20. One private key controls the same address on every EVM chain, and a hardware wallet that supports Ethereum can usually sign for all of them.
The shared address makes mistakes easy: funds sent on the wrong EVM network arrive at an address that exists there too, and recovering them depends on whether the receiving wallet or exchange controls that network.
Ethereum is a decentralized blockchain platform that enables smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). Its native cryptocurrency is Ether (ETH).
Read full definitionA smart contract is a program stored on a blockchain that runs exactly as written when a transaction calls it.
Read full definitionPolygon is a layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum that enables faster, cheaper transactions via its Proof-of-Stake sidechain. Native token: MATIC (also called Polygon PoS).
Read full definitionAvalanche (AVAX) is a scalable layer-1 blockchain platform that achieves high throughput and sub-second transaction finality using its novel proof-of-stake consensus.
Read full definitionLayer 2 refers to blockchain solutions built on top of a base blockchain (Layer 1) to improve scalability and transaction speed, often using methods like rollups.
Read full definitionArbitrum is an Ethereum layer 2 scaling solution using optimistic rollups for faster, cheaper transactions while inheriting Ethereum's security.
Read full definitionOptimism is an Ethereum Layer 2 optimistic rollup network. It batches transactions off-chain for faster, cheaper processing while inheriting Ethereum's security.
Read full definitionBase is an Ethereum Layer 2 network developed by Coinbase. It uses optimistic rollups for scalable, low-cost transactions.
Read full definitionA token is a digital asset on a blockchain that represents value, ownership, utility, or access rights. Examples include ERC-20 tokens on Ethereum.
Read full definitionERC-20 Token is a fungible token standard on the Ethereum blockchain. It defines rules for creating, transferring, and managing tokens uniformly.
Read full definitionA private key is the secret number that proves ownership of a crypto address and signs its transactions. Whoever has it controls the funds.
Read full definitionA crypto exchange is a company that lets users buy, sell and trade crypto and, by default, holds the keys to their coins.
Read full definitionReal-World Examples
Example 1: A user adds Arbitrum to their wallet app and sees the same 0x address they use on Ethereum.
Example 2: A hardware wallet's Ethereum app signs a Polygon transaction, showing the chain ID on screen.
Arbitrum is an Ethereum layer 2 scaling solution using optimistic rollups for faster, cheaper transactions while inheriting Ethereum's security.
Read full definitionEthereum is a decentralized blockchain platform that enables smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). Its native cryptocurrency is Ether (ETH).
Read full definitionPolygon is a layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum that enables faster, cheaper transactions via its Proof-of-Stake sidechain. Native token: MATIC (also called Polygon PoS).
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