Question: How does Dash differ in principle from “standard” PoW coins like Bitcoin?

Answer: Dash uses a two-tier architecture: miners provide PoW security, while masternodes add extra functionality (InstantSend, privacy via CoinJoin/PrivateSend, ChainLocks) and enable on-chain governance and budgeting.

Question: What is InstantSend, and when is a transfer “final enough”?

Answer: InstantSend locks a transaction’s inputs via masternode quorums, enabling very fast confirmation and reducing double-spend risk; for larger amounts, it can still be sensible to wait for standard confirmations and/or follow the merchant’s policy.

Question: What are ChainLocks, and why do they matter for accepting payments?

Answer: ChainLocks is a mechanism where long-lived masternode quorums sign blocks, reducing uncertainty when receiving funds and lowering the risk of 51% attacks and reorganisations.

Question: How do PrivateSend/CoinJoin work, and what do they actually hide?

Answer: This is non-custodial mixing (CoinJoin): the wallet pre-mixes denominations, and payments spend already-mixed inputs; this improves privacy against linkage analysis, but does not make transactions “invisible” under all threat models.

Question: How is Dash governed, and where does development funding come from?

Answer: Dash uses on-chain governance: masternodes vote on proposals, and the budget is funded from the block reward (a network self-funding model).

Question: What’s required to run a masternode, and what are the pitfalls?

Answer: The baseline requirement is 1,000 DASH as collateral plus correct server setup and ongoing maintenance; risks include the value/price risk of the collateral, operational mistakes, and uptime/security requirements.

Question: Why is Dash sometimes delisted, even though it’s “just a payments coin”?

Answer: Reasons are typically tied to exchange and jurisdiction risk policies (including views on privacy features), compliance requirements, and commercial factors such as liquidity and support costs.

What is Dash (DASH)

Dash is a payments-focused cryptocurrency (“digital cash”) designed for fast transfers with low fees, offering optional privacy and on-chain governance/funding via a masternode system (Dash DAO).

Launch 18.01.2014 Dash chain

Who created it

Evan Duffield (founder; the project launched in 2014 and has since been developed further by the Dash community and ecosystem organisations).

Why it was created

Dash was created to function as “digital cash” for everyday payments: fast confirmation, double-spend protection, optional privacy, and self-funded development through on-chain governance.

How it’s used

Fast P2P transfers and payments
Paying for goods/services with low fees
International transfers without banking intermediaries
Optional transaction privacy when needed
Participation in governance and funding initiatives via the Dash DAO (masternode voting)

Risks

High price volatility and liquidity risks
Regulatory risks around privacy features and the resulting availability on exchanges/in certain regions
Centralisation or influence-concentration risk at the masternode layer (large holders/operators)
Risk of restrictions and/or delistings

FAQ

Question: How does Dash differ in principle from “standard” PoW coins like Bitcoin?: Answer: Dash uses a two-tier architecture: miners provide PoW security, while masternodes add extra functionality (InstantSend, privacy via CoinJoin/PrivateSend, ChainLocks) and enable on-chain governance and budgeting.
Question: What is InstantSend, and when is a transfer “final enough”?: Answer: InstantSend locks a transaction’s inputs via masternode quorums, enabling very fast confirmation and reducing double-spend risk; for larger amounts, it can still be sensible to wait for standard confirmations and/or follow the merchant’s policy.
Question: What are ChainLocks, and why do they matter for accepting payments?: Answer: ChainLocks is a mechanism where long-lived masternode quorums sign blocks, reducing uncertainty when receiving funds and lowering the risk of 51% attacks and reorganisations.
Question: How do PrivateSend/CoinJoin work, and what do they actually hide?: Answer: This is non-custodial mixing (CoinJoin): the wallet pre-mixes denominations, and payments spend already-mixed inputs; this improves privacy against linkage analysis, but does not make transactions “invisible” under all threat models.
Question: How is Dash governed, and where does development funding come from?: Answer: Dash uses on-chain governance: masternodes vote on proposals, and the budget is funded from the block reward (a network self-funding model).
Question: What’s required to run a masternode, and what are the pitfalls?: Answer: The baseline requirement is 1,000 DASH as collateral plus correct server setup and ongoing maintenance; risks include the value/price risk of the collateral, operational mistakes, and uptime/security requirements.
Question: Why is Dash sometimes delisted, even though it’s “just a payments coin”?: Answer: Reasons are typically tied to exchange and jurisdiction risk policies (including views on privacy features), compliance requirements, and commercial factors such as liquidity and support costs.