> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.theblockchainlibrary.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# The Tangle

> This whitepaper introduces The Tangle, the core distributed ledger technology behind IOTA, which departs significantly from traditional blockchain architectures

# The Tangle

This whitepaper introduces The Tangle, the core distributed ledger technology behind IOTA, which departs significantly from traditional blockchain architectures

## Abstract

This whitepaper introduces The Tangle, the core distributed ledger technology behind IOTA, which departs significantly from traditional blockchain architectures. Instead of a linear chain of blocks, The Tangle is structured as a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) where new transactions validate two previous, unconfirmed transactions. This innovative structure aims to address the scalability and transaction fee issues prevalent in conventional blockchains. The methodology allows for parallel processing of transactions, theorizing that as the number of users and transactions increases, the network's processing capacity also grows proportionally. A key feature is the elimination of transaction fees, making it suitable for micro-transactions, particularly in the context of the Internet of Things (IoT). While initially relying on a 'Coordinator' for security in its early stages, the long-term vision presented is a fully decentralized, feeless network. The Tangle represents a significant exploration into alternative distributed ledger designs, positing a new paradigm for decentralized consensus and data integrity.

**Authors:** Serguei Popov

**Publication:** Project Whitepaper

**Publication date:** 2018-01-01

## Key findings

* The Tangle is a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG)-based distributed ledger, not a linear blockchain.
* New transactions confirm two previous unconfirmed transactions, contributing to network security.
* The architecture is designed to offer feeless transactions, making it suitable for micro-payments.
* Scalability is theorized to increase with network participation and transaction volume.
* It presents an alternative consensus mechanism specifically targeting Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

## Citation

Serguei Popov (2018). The Tangle. Project Whitepaper. [https://iota.org/IOTA\_Whitepaper.pdf](https://iota.org/IOTA_Whitepaper.pdf)

## Related knowledge

* [Consensus](/categories/consensus) — glossary
* [Consensus](/categories/consensus) — related-glossary
* [From Throughput to Reliability: The New Metrics That Matter](/generated/v2/topics/from-throughput-to-reliability-the-new-metrics-that-matter) — article
* [From Throughput to Reliability: The New Metrics That Matter](/generated/v2/topics/from-throughput-to-reliability-the-new-metrics-that-matter) — related-article
* [Governance](/categories/governance) — glossary
* [Governance](/categories/governance) — related-glossary
* [How Blockchain Architecture Is Quietly Solving Real Business Problems](/generated/v2/topics/how-blockchain-architecture-is-quietly-solving-real-business-problems) — article
* [How Blockchain Architecture Is Quietly Solving Real Business Problems](/generated/v2/topics/how-blockchain-architecture-is-quietly-solving-real-business-problems) — related-article
* [Layer 2](/categories/layer-2) — glossary
* [Layer 2](/categories/layer-2) — related-glossary
* [Layer 3 in Blockchain: The Next Big Thing for Crypto Scalability?](/generated/v2/topics/layer-3-in-blockchain-the-next-big-thing-for-crypto-scalability) — article
* [Layer 3 in Blockchain: The Next Big Thing for Crypto Scalability?](/generated/v2/topics/layer-3-in-blockchain-the-next-big-thing-for-crypto-scalability) — related-article
* [Layer 3: The Next Frontier in Blockchain Scalability](/generated/v2/topics/layer-3-the-next-frontier-in-blockchain-scalability) — article
* [Layer 3: The Next Frontier in Blockchain Scalability](/generated/v2/topics/layer-3-the-next-frontier-in-blockchain-scalability) — related-article
* [The Impact of AI on Blockchain Development: Smarter Smart Contracts?](/generated/v2/topics/the-impact-of-ai-on-blockchain-development-smarter-smart-contracts) — article
* [The Impact of AI on Blockchain Development: Smarter Smart Contracts?](/generated/v2/topics/the-impact-of-ai-on-blockchain-development-smarter-smart-contracts) — related-article

***

**Canonical knowledge ID:** `research:the-tangle`