CryptographyIntermediate
Merkle root
The top-level hash that commits to the contents of a Merkle tree.
PLAIN-ENGLISH DEFINITION
In more detail
The root summarizes a particular collection under the tree's rules. Changing committed contents generally changes it. A proof can link one item to that root, but the root does not contain a readable copy of the collection or make the underlying data available to a verifier.
IN THE WILD
How you might use it
Open a Bitcoin block header and you can find the Merkle root committing to the transaction IDs in that block.
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