# DigiByte

> DigiByte (DGB) is an open-source cryptocurrency running on the DigiByte blockchain.

- Canonical URL: https://iq.wiki/wiki/digibyte
- Categories: Projects & Protocols
- Created: 2022-08-18T14:28:53.186Z
- Last updated: 2026-07-18T15:27:07.460Z
- Source: IQ.wiki — the world's largest blockchain and crypto encyclopedia (https://iq.wiki)

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**DigiByte (DGB)** is an open-source, permissionless UTXO [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) and cryptocurrency. It is a 100% Proof-of-Work network that employs five mining algorithms (SHA-256, Scrypt, Odocrypt, Skein, [Qubit](https://iq.wiki/wiki/qubit)) to reduce mining centralization and improve security. DigiByte is designed for speed, with an average block time of about 15 seconds, and scalability through a multi-layer architecture for digital assets and applications [\[6\]](#cite-id-cks7vl13o9a) [\[1\]](#cite-id-2gpzsd3b9vp) [\[2\]](#cite-id-ou1180o6qn) [\[3\]](#cite-id-94e0zqqur1u) [\[4\]](#cite-id-4kp3azsp05g).

## History

DigiByte was developed beginning in 2013 and launched in January 2014 by Jared Tate [\[6\]](#cite-id-cks7vl13o9a) [\[9\]](#cite-id-fhtr1btaki).

Within its first month the project implemented DigiShield, a real-time difficulty adjustment algorithm intended to protect the chain from large mining pools and difficulty swings [\[6\]](#cite-id-cks7vl13o9a) [\[7\]](#cite-id-5csmftcjgci).

Over time, DigiByte continued to evolve its security and scalability features, including MultiShield, which extends DigiShield-style difficulty adjustments across multiple mining algorithms [\[6\]](#cite-id-cks7vl13o9a) [\[7\]](#cite-id-5csmftcjgci).

## Features

DigiByte is a UTXO-based blockchain that aims to provide faster confirmations than many comparable networks through a target block time of approximately 15 seconds [\[6\]](#cite-id-cks7vl13o9a) [\[7\]](#cite-id-5csmftcjgci).

Key protocol features commonly highlighted by the project include:

* Multi-algorithm mining: DigiByte runs five hashing algorithms in parallel (SHA-256, Scrypt, Groestl, Skein, [Qubit](https://iq.wiki/wiki/qubit)) to make mining more decentralized and resistant to single-algorithm dominance [\[6\]](#cite-id-cks7vl13o9a) [\[7\]](#cite-id-5csmftcjgci).
* Fast block times: Target block time is approximately 15 seconds, enabling quicker transaction confirmations than many other UTXO chains [\[6\]](#cite-id-cks7vl13o9a) [\[7\]](#cite-id-5csmftcjgci).
* DigiShield and MultiShield: On-chain difficulty adjustment systems intended to protect the network from sudden hashrate changes and multi-pool attacks [\[6\]](#cite-id-cks7vl13o9a) [\[7\]](#cite-id-5csmftcjgci).
* [Permissionless](https://iq.wiki/wiki/permissionless) and decentralized participation: Any node or device can participate in the network; the protocol is open-source and maintained by a distributed community [\[6\]](#cite-id-cks7vl13o9a).
* Layered architecture: DigiByte separates the protocol into layers (core protocol and networking, digital asset issuance, and applications) to support tokenization, identity, and app functionality while leveraging the base layer’s Proof-of-Work security [\[6\]](#cite-id-cks7vl13o9a) [\[9\]](#cite-id-fhtr1btaki).

## Digi-ID

Digi-ID is a DigiByte-native authentication solution that uses cryptographic signatures from DigiByte private keys instead of passwords. It is designed to enable phishing-resistant authentication for websites and applications by having users sign a challenge with a DigiByte-compatible wallet [\[6\]](#cite-id-cks7vl13o9a) [\[9\]](#cite-id-fhtr1btaki).

## Digi-Assets

Digi-Assets is DigiByte’s system for issuing tokens and digital assets on top of the DigiByte blockchain. It is described as a second-layer approach that leverages the security of the DigiByte base layer for creating tokens, smart-asset functionality, digital identities, and asset-backed documents [\[6\]](#cite-id-cks7vl13o9a) [\[9\]](#cite-id-fhtr1btaki).

## Participation and Software

Anyone can run a DigiByte node or use one of the official or community wallets to send, receive, and store DGB. Development is maintained through open-source repositories and community contributions [\[6\]](#cite-id-cks7vl13o9a).