When exploring DLT types, the different categories of distributed ledger technology that determine how data is stored, verified, and shared across participants, you quickly notice they shape everything from crypto coins to supply‑chain apps. Also known as distributed ledger categories, they provide the backbone for modern decentralized solutions.
One of the biggest distinctions is between public ledgers, open networks where anyone can join, read, and write transactions without permission and permissioned ledgers, restricted systems that require approved identities to participate. Public ledgers power most cryptocurrencies, while permissioned ledgers are common in enterprise settings where privacy and compliance matter. A hybrid approach blends both, letting certain data stay private while still leveraging the transparency of a public chain.
Underlying all these variations is blockchain, the data structure that links blocks of transactions in an immutable chain. Blockchain influences DLT types by offering a reliable way to achieve consensus without a central authority. Speaking of consensus, mechanisms like Proof‑of‑Work, Proof‑of‑Stake, and Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance are the engines that keep any DLT type honest and secure. Understanding DLT types helps you pick the right technology for your project, whether you need open access, strict control, or a mix of both.
Public ledgers shine in open finance, tokenized assets, and global gaming economies because they let anyone participate without gatekeepers. Permissioned ledgers excel in supply‑chain traceability, inter‑bank settlements, and confidential voting where participants must be vetted. Hybrid models are emerging in sectors like health care, where patient data stays private but audit trails remain transparent. All three rely on consensus mechanisms to validate blocks, and many now support smart contracts that automate complex business logic.
Choosing the right DLT type starts with asking three questions: Who needs to see the data? How much control does each participant require? What level of performance and cost is acceptable? Answering these guides you toward a public ledger for maximum openness, a permissioned ledger for tight governance, or a hybrid solution that balances the two. The articles below dive deeper into specific tokens, airdrops, compliance guides, and exchange reviews that illustrate these concepts in action.
A clear guide that defines distributed ledger technology, breaks down public, private, consortium and hybrid types, compares their performance, and helps you pick the right DLT for any project.