Peer-to-peer (or P2P) Networks are the foundation of distributed ledger technology and, therefore, blockchain as a whole. As the name would suggest, P2P architecture allows individuals within a system or network to share tasks or data without the need for a central database. In fact, each peer holds a relevant part of the data as they connect to the network as a whole. This point of connection is known as a node.

These types of networks allow their participants to not only catch data from the underlying network (known as leeching) but also to reciprocate by fetching data to the network and other participants (known as feeding). This increases the flow and safety of data distribution since a single entity cannot shut down the network.