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What is the difference between a public and a private blockchain?

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Quick answer

Anyone can join a public (permissionless) blockchain. NIST describes it as a system where all users' permissions are equal and not set by any administrator. A private or consortium (permissioned) blockchain requires every node and user to be granted permission, usually by an administrator or consortium. Public chains such as Bitcoin and Ethereum use proof of work or proof of stake. Permissioned chains such as Hyperledger Fabric can use lighter ordering protocols, because their participants are known.

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Answer

See the NIST definitions [2][3] and Hyperledger Fabric's description of permissioned networks [11].

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Sources

  1. governmentIR 8202, Blockchain Technology Overview — National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) · accessed Oct 7, 2026 · Evidence page
  2. governmentGlossary: permissioned — NIST Computer Security Resource Center · accessed Sep 22, 2026 · Evidence page
  3. governmentGlossary: permissionless — NIST Computer Security Resource Center · accessed Sep 22, 2026 · Evidence page
  4. governmentGlossary: smart contract — NIST Computer Security Resource Center · accessed Sep 22, 2026 · Evidence page
  5. officialBlock Chain — Bitcoin Developer Guide — Bitcoin Project (developer.bitcoin.org) · accessed Nov 10, 2026 · Evidence page
  6. governmentThe story of Satoshi Nakamoto and the 1 million bitcoins — European Commission, CEF Newsroom · accessed Nov 10, 2026 · Evidence page
  7. otherStuart Haber — Wikipedia · accessed Nov 10, 2026 · Evidence page
  8. officialThe Merge — ethereum.org · accessed Nov 10, 2026 · Evidence page
  9. officialProof-of-stake (PoS) — ethereum.org · accessed Nov 10, 2026 · Evidence page
  10. officialBlocks — ethereum.org · accessed Nov 10, 2026 · Evidence page
  11. officialIntroduction — What is Hyperledger Fabric? — Hyperledger Foundation (Linux Foundation) · accessed Nov 10, 2026 · Evidence page
  12. academicBitcoin electricity consumption: an improved assessment — Cambridge Judge Business School, University of Cambridge · accessed Nov 10, 2026 · Evidence page