Dapp
Dapp: A dapp, short for decentralised application, is an app whose core logic runs on a blockchain through smart contracts instead of on one company’s servers. You usually use a dapp through a website connected to your own crypto wallet. Decentralised exchanges, lending apps and NFT marketplaces are common examples.
How a dapp works
A dapp has two layers. The back end is one or more smart contracts on a blockchain that hold funds and enforce the rules. The front end is a normal website or app that lets you read the contracts and send transactions. Ethereum’s documentation on dapps notes that because the back end is on a public network, anyone can inspect it and it keeps running even if the website goes down.
Common types of dapps
Decentralised exchanges let you swap tokens from your own wallet, often using an automated market maker. Lending apps let you deposit crypto to earn interest or borrow against it. Others include NFT marketplaces, games and governance tools. Together, financial dapps make up most of DeFi.
Dapp risks to understand
Using a dapp usually means approving a smart contract to move a token from your wallet. If that contract has a bug or is malicious, those approvals can be used to drain funds. Fake front ends that copy a real dapp’s website are a common scam. Many dapps also depend on oracles for prices and can have admin keys that let a team change the rules.
Safer habits when using dapps
Type the address yourself or use a saved bookmark, read what your wallet asks you to sign, and approve only the amount you need. Our member resource library includes tools such as Revoke.cash to review and remove old token approvals. Keeping long-term holdings in a separate wallet that never connects to dapps limits the damage if something goes wrong.
Frequently asked questions
Is a dapp the same as a crypto app on my phone?
Not always. An exchange app run by a company is a centralised service. A dapp’s core rules run on a blockchain, and you keep control of your funds in your own wallet.
Do I need a wallet to use a dapp?
Yes. Dapps connect to a self-custody wallet so you can sign transactions. The dapp should never ask for your seed phrase.
Are dapps safe?
They carry real risks, including smart contract bugs, fake websites and token approval exploits. Audits help but do not remove risk.