A dApp uses smart contracts and distributed consensus so that no single entity fully controls the application’s data or logic. It’s often associated with Ethereum, where you can code complex operations that execute across nodes. However, sidechains or second-layer solutions on Bitcoin can also host forms of decentralized apps.

In practice, many dApps still rely on some centralized components—like user interfaces or data storage—sparking debates on just how ‘decentralized’ they truly are. Nonetheless, the idea of unstoppable apps remains a driving force in the broader crypto space, enabling everything from decentralized finance (DeFi) to NFT marketplaces.