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SHA-256
What is SHA-256?
SHA-256 (Secure Hash Algorithm 256-bit) is a cryptographic hash function widely used in the cryptocurrency world, particularly in Bitcoin's mining process and for creating digital signatures.
Key Characteristics
One-way Function: Easy to compute the hash, but practically impossible to reverse.
Fixed Output Size: Always produces a 256-bit (32-byte) hash value.
Avalanche Effect: Small changes in input produce significantly different outputs.
Deterministic: The same input always produces the same output.
How SHA-256 Works in Cryptocurrency
Block Hashing: Used to create unique identifiers for blocks in the blockchain.
Mining Process: Miners compete to find a hash that meets certain criteria.
Transaction Signatures: Part of the process for creating and verifying digital signatures.
Address Generation: Used in the process of generating cryptocurrency addresses.
Importance in Blockchain Technology
Security: Provides a secure way to verify data integrity.
Proof of Work: Forms the basis of Bitcoin's and some other cryptocurrencies' mining algorithms.
Immutability: Helps ensure the immutability of blockchain records.
Efficiency: Fast to compute, making it suitable for frequent use in blockchain operations.
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths:
Widely adopted and thoroughly tested
No known practical collisions
Resistant to various cryptographic attacks
Limitations:
Computationally intensive for mining purposes
Potential vulnerability to quantum computing in the future
Similar Terms
Cryptographic Hash Function: The broader category of functions that includes SHA-256.
Mining: The process in cryptocurrencies that often utilizes SHA-256.
Proof of Work (PoW): The consensus mechanism that commonly uses SHA-256 in its implementation.
ChainFi, Inc (dba "Arch Lending" and referred to as "Arch" on this website) is not a bank.
Loan Services. Crypto backed loans (“Loans”) are offered to U.S. borrowers by ChainFi, Inc. NMLS #2637200. NMLS Consumer Access.
Loan Availability. Loan availability may vary based on jurisdiction. Loans are current not available to U.S. residents of AL, CA, DE, HI, MN, MS, MT, NV, ND, RI, SC, SD, TX, VT, VA, or WA or to U.S. businesses in CA, DC, HI, MT, NV, NM, ND, RI, SD, or VT. We encourage you to contact us to determine if our loans are available in your state.
Loan Agreement. Loans are issued pursuant to a loan agreement between Arch and you. This legally binding document outlines your rights, obligations, interest rates, repayment schedules, potential fees, default consequences, and any other terms and conditions related to your loan. Your loan agreement may contain state-specific provisions. By signing the loan agreement, you acknowledge your acceptance of these terms, so please ensure you understand every aspect before proceeding.
Interest Rates. Annual interest rates are subject to change and may vary based on loan type, the principal amount requested, and the borrower's jurisdiction of residence.
Supported Assets. For the latest list of supported assets, refer to our Help Center.
No Financial, Investment or Tax Advice Provided. The information on this website, articles, guides, tools, or communications, is for general informational purposes only. It is not, and should not be construed as, financial, investment, tax, or other professional advice. Arch is not a financial advisor, investment advisor, broker, tax advisor, or accounting firm. We do not provide personalized advice or recommendations for your unique financial situation or goals. You should consult a qualified professional before making any financial, investment or tax decisions. Any examples, hypothetical scenarios, calculator results, or general discussions of financial or tax concepts are for illustration only and don't guarantee specific outcomes or apply to your personal circumstances. By using this website, you acknowledge you are solely responsible for your financial decisions and will seek independent professional advice as needed.
No Guarantee of Offers, Loans, or Returns. Your use or access to this website or platform does not guarantee the availability of any current and/or future offer, promotion, terms, loan, or return. All offers, promotions, terms, and loans are subject to availability and the sole discretion of Arch. We reserve the right to modify or withdraw any offering at any time without prior notice.
State-Specific Disclosures. Additional state-specific disclaimers may apply depending on your location. We encourage you to review all relevant disclaimers and terms carefully before proceeding.
*State of Idaho Disclaimer. In Idaho, ChainFi, Inc is doing business as Arch Lending and does not conduct activity under the name Arch.
ChainFi, Inc (dba "Arch Lending"), 595 Broadway, Floor 4, New York, NY 10012
For general questions, visit our Help Center or use the Intercom chat widget in the bottom right corner of any screen on this website.
For customer service or complaints, email us at support@archlending.com, or call us toll-free: +1 855-272-4670 between Monday-Friday from 9am-7pm ET and Saturday-Sunday from 10am-5pm ET.
© 2025 All Rights Reserved
ChainFi, Inc (dba "Arch Lending" and referred to as "Arch" on this website) is not a bank.
Loan Services. Crypto backed loans (“Loans”) are offered to U.S. borrowers by ChainFi, Inc. NMLS #2637200. NMLS Consumer Access.
Loan Availability. Loan availability may vary based on jurisdiction. Loans are currently not available to U.S. residents of AL, CA, DE, HI, MN, MS, MT, NV, ND, RI, SC, SD, TX, VT, VA, or WA or to U.S. businesses in CA, DC, HI, MT, NV, NM, ND, RI, SD, or VT. We encourage you to contact us to determine if our loans are available in your state.
Loan Agreement. Loans are issued pursuant to a loan agreement between Arch and you. This legally binding document outlines your rights, obligations, interest rates, repayment schedules, potential fees, default consequences, and any other terms and conditions related to your loan. Your loan agreement may contain state-specific provisions. By signing the loan agreement, you acknowledge your acceptance of these terms, so please ensure you understand every aspect before proceeding.
Interest Rates. Annual interest rates are subject to change and may vary based on loan type, the principal amount requested, and the borrower's jurisdiction of residence.
Supported Assets. For the latest list of supported assets, refer to our Help Center.
No Financial, Investment or Tax Advice Provided. The information on this website, articles, guides, tools, or communications, is for general informational purposes only. It is not, and should not be construed as, financial, investment, tax, or other professional advice. Arch is not a financial advisor, investment advisor, broker, tax advisor, or accounting firm. We do not provide personalized advice or recommendations for your unique financial situation or goals. You should consult a qualified professional before making any financial, investment or tax decisions. Any examples, hypothetical scenarios, calculator results, or general discussions of financial or tax concepts are for illustration only and don't guarantee specific outcomes or apply to your personal circumstances. By using this website, you acknowledge you are solely responsible for your financial decisions and will seek independent professional advice as needed.
No Guarantee of Offers, Loans, or Returns. Your use or access to this website or platform does not guarantee the availability of any current and/or future offer, promotion, terms, loan, or return. All offers, promotions, terms, and loans are subject to availability and the sole discretion of Arch. We reserve the right to modify or withdraw any offering at any time without prior notice.
State-Specific Disclosures. Additional state-specific disclaimers may apply depending on your location. We encourage you to review all relevant disclaimers and terms carefully before proceeding.
*State of Idaho Disclaimer. In Idaho, ChainFi, Inc is doing business as Arch Lending and does not conduct activity under the name Arch.
ChainFi, Inc (dba "Arch Lending"), 595 Broadway, Floor 4, New York, NY 10012
For general questions, visit our Help Center or use the Intercom chat widget in the bottom right corner of any screen on this website.
For customer service or complaints, email us at support@archlending.com, or call us toll-free: +1 855-272-4670 between Monday-Friday from 9am-7pm ET and Saturday-Sunday from 10am-5pm ET.
© 2025 All Rights Reserved
ChainFi, Inc (dba "Arch Lending" and referred to as "Arch" on this website) is not a bank.
Loan Services. Crypto backed loans (“Loans”) are offered to U.S. borrowers by ChainFi, Inc. NMLS #2637200. NMLS Consumer Access.
Loan Availability. Loan availability may vary based on jurisdiction. Loans are currently not available to U.S. residents of AL, CA, DE, HI, MN, MS, MT, NV, ND, RI, SC, SD, TX, VT, VA, or WA or to U.S. businesses in CA, DC, HI, MT, NV, NM, ND, RI, SD, or VT. We encourage you to contact us to determine if our loans are available in your state.
Loan Agreement. Loans are issued pursuant to a loan agreement between Arch and you. This legally binding document outlines your rights, obligations, interest rates, repayment schedules, potential fees, default consequences, and any other terms and conditions related to your loan. Your loan agreement may contain state-specific provisions. By signing the loan agreement, you acknowledge your acceptance of these terms, so please ensure you understand every aspect before proceeding.
Interest Rates. Annual interest rates are subject to change and may vary based on loan type, the principal amount requested, and the borrower's jurisdiction of residence.
Supported Assets. For the latest list of supported assets, refer to our Help Center.
No Financial, Investment or Tax Advice Provided. The information on this website, articles, guides, tools, or communications, is for general informational purposes only. It is not, and should not be construed as, financial, investment, tax, or other professional advice. Arch is not a financial advisor, investment advisor, broker, tax advisor, or accounting firm. We do not provide personalized advice or recommendations for your unique financial situation or goals. You should consult a qualified professional before making any financial, investment or tax decisions. Any examples, hypothetical scenarios, calculator results, or general discussions of financial or tax concepts are for illustration only and don't guarantee specific outcomes or apply to your personal circumstances. By using this website, you acknowledge you are solely responsible for your financial decisions and will seek independent professional advice as needed.
No Guarantee of Offers, Loans, or Returns. Your use or access to this website or platform does not guarantee the availability of any current and/or future offer, promotion, terms, loan, or return. All offers, promotions, terms, and loans are subject to availability and the sole discretion of Arch. We reserve the right to modify or withdraw any offering at any time without prior notice.
State-Specific Disclosures. Additional state-specific disclaimers may apply depending on your location. We encourage you to review all relevant disclaimers and terms carefully before proceeding.
*State of Idaho Disclaimer. In Idaho, ChainFi, Inc is doing business as Arch Lending and does not conduct activity under the name Arch.
ChainFi, Inc (dba "Arch Lending"), 595 Broadway, Floor 4, New York, NY 10012
For general questions, visit our Help Center or use the Intercom chat widget in the bottom right corner of any screen on this website.
For customer service or complaints, email us at support@archlending.com, or call us toll-free: +1 855-272-4670 between Monday-Friday from 9am-7pm ET and Saturday-Sunday from 10am-5pm ET.
© 2025 All Rights Reserved