> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.scrt.network/secret-network-documentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.scrt.network/secret-network-documentation/introduction/secret-network-techstack/blockchain-technology.md).

# Blockchain Technology

Blockchain technology is a complex base layer allowing open-source protocols and decentralized applications to be built on top of it. Secret is a sovereign layer 1 of the Cosmos ecosystem built with the Cosmos SDK.

This section will walk you through the Secret technology stack to get a better understanding of what’s under the hood of the privacy hub for Web3. This "Blockchain technology" section starts with a quick grasp of the different blockchain layers are and an explanation of the Cosmos stack

In this section we will explain in depth the components of the blockchain stack:

* [Cosmos introduction](/secret-network-documentation/introduction/secret-network-techstack/blockchain-technology/cosmos-basics.md)
* [Tendermint Consensus](/secret-network-documentation/introduction/secret-network-techstack/blockchain-technology/tendermint.md)
* [Cosmos SDK](/secret-network-documentation/introduction/secret-network-techstack/blockchain-technology/cosmos-sdk.md)
* [Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC)](/secret-network-documentation/introduction/secret-network-techstack/blockchain-technology/ibc.md)
* [CosmWasm Smart contracts](/secret-network-documentation/introduction/secret-network-techstack/blockchain-technology/cosmwasm.md)

**The Cosmos part of the Secret Techstack is also covered Part 1 and Part 2 of the Secret Network techstack video series.**

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?index=2&list=PLL1JDiTNCUAW_jGFyBjOFAzzTw3zKb3TM&v=Slh_QeQCvKk>" %}


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.scrt.network/secret-network-documentation/introduction/secret-network-techstack/blockchain-technology.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
