The blockchain is the technology that serves as the distributed ledger that forms the network. This network creates a means for transacting and enables the transfer of value and information. A blockchain is a platform that allows cryptocurrencies to exist. Cryptocurrencies are coins or tokens used within these networks to send value and pay for these transactions. Furthermore, you can see them as a tool on the blockchain, in some cases serving as a resource or utility function. Other times they are used to digitize the value of an asset. In other words, blockchains serve as the base technology, in which cryptocurrencies are a part of the ecosystem. They go hand in hand, and a cryptocurrency is often necessary to transact on a blockchain. Without the blockchain, we would not have a way for these transactions to be recorded and transferred in a transparent way. A blockchain is a technical design pattern that allows networks to exist without relying on a central authority for network management and maintenance. A cryptocurrency is usually (but not always) a required part of a blockchain ecosystem, and is used to incentivize users to secure the network. Blockchain 101 Lesson 11/18 Lesson Page: https://theblockchaininstitute.org/courses/blockchain-101/lessons/the-differences-between-blockchains-and-cryptocurrency/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bchaininstitute ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buLJwPvq750

It's been a crazy year for ICOs! As a 2017 end-of-the-year wrap up, we thought it would be fun to give you updates on some of the ICOs we've covered this year. Whatever happened to projects like Unikrn, Tezos and Eos? Check out this video to see which projects made it big and which ones flopped! According to CoinSchedule, in 2017 there were 235 Initial Coin Offerings. The year-end totals came in at $3,700,683,293... Yes... That's over $3 billion raised in ICO's in 2017. 34.5% of these were projects focusing on infrastructure, while the other top categories included trading and investing at 13.7%, finance at 10.2%, payments at 7.8%, data storage also at 7.8%, and drugs and healthcare at 5.5%, amongst dozens of other industry categories. Most of this money was raised from September through October, with September being the biggest influx of money into ICO's. Filecoin and Tezos both came in at the top, being the most successful ICO's in terms of money raised - both over $257,000,000 and $232,319,000 respectively. Check out some of our ICO or NO episodes here if you want to reminisce on the year! https://blockchain.wtf/series/ico-or-no/ ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KwjmDGTaPA