Darkcoins

Darkcoin, now known as Dash, is a cryptocurrency that emerged in 2014. It was initially launched as XCoin, but was soon rebranded to Darkcoin and later to Dash, which stands for "Digital Cash." The core innovation of Dash lies in its implementation of a two-tier network structure. The first tier consists of miners who secure the network and validate transactions through proof-of-work. The second tier is comprised of Masternodes, which are special servers operated by users who have a significant stake in Dash. These Masternodes provide advanced features and governance functions.

Key features that distinguish Dash include its PrivateSend and CoinJoin technologies, which offer enhanced transaction privacy by mixing coins to obscure their origin. Another notable feature is InstantSend, which allows for near-instantaneous transaction confirmations, a significant improvement over the longer confirmation times often associated with Bitcoin. Dash also employs a decentralized governance system, where Masternode holders can vote on proposals for protocol upgrades and funding of new projects, enabling a more agile development process. The cryptocurrency's block time is approximately 2 minutes, and its block reward halves roughly every 264 days.