Glossary

Key terms and definitions to help institutional decision-makers understand the digital asset ecosystem.

This glossary defines key terms used throughout enblock to help institutional decision-makers navigate the digital asset landscape with confidence.

Compliance & Regulatory

KYC/AML: Know Your Customer / Anti-Money Laundering compliance. Regulatory requirements for verifying customer identities and monitoring transactions to prevent financial crimes.
Regulatory License: Official authorization from a regulatory body to operate in a specific jurisdiction. Examples include money transmitter licenses, trust charters, and securities dealer registrations.

SOC 2: Service Organization Control 2. A security audit certification for service organizations that demonstrates compliance with trust service criteria for security, availability, and confidentiality.
ISO 27001: International information security management standard. A globally recognized certification that demonstrates an organization has implemented comprehensive security controls and risk management practices.
Security Attestation: Third-party verification of security controls and practices. Independent audits that validate an organization's security posture and compliance with industry standards.

Custody: Secure storage and management of digital assets. Custodians hold private keys on behalf of institutions and provide safeguarding, transaction execution, and reporting services.
On/Off-ramps: Services that convert between fiat currency and cryptocurrencies. Enable institutions to move capital into and out of digital asset markets through regulated channels.
Tokenization: The process of representing real-world assets as digital tokens on a blockchain. Enables fractional ownership, programmable compliance, and 24/7 settlement of traditional assets.
Staking: The process of locking digital assets to support blockchain network operations in exchange for rewards. Institutional staking services provide secure infrastructure and reporting for participation in proof-of-stake networks.

Blockchain: A distributed ledger technology that records transactions across multiple computers in a way that makes them difficult to alter retroactively. Forms the foundation for digital assets and decentralized applications.
Smart Contract: Self-executing code deployed on a blockchain that automatically enforces the terms of an agreement. Enables programmable financial instruments and automated compliance.
API: Application Programming Interface. A set of protocols and tools that allow different software applications to communicate. Critical for integrating digital asset services into existing institutional infrastructure.

If you need clarification on a term or would like to suggest an addition to our glossary, we'd love to hear from you.