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Blockchain Minute – What Does “Trustless” Mean?

By July 22, 2025Blockchain, Crypto

Blockchain Minute – What Does “Trustless” Mean?

Today, we’re unpacking a word that gets thrown around a lot in Web3 circles: trustless.

At first glance, it sounds negative.
No trust? No people? No thanks?

But in blockchain, trustless is actually a feature, not a bug. Let me explain.

What Does “Trustless” Mean?

 

 

In the Web3 world, “trustless” means that you don’t need to rely on a person or centralized institution for something to work.

You don’t need:

  • A broker

  • A bank

  • A third party

  • Someone pressing a button

 

Instead, everything happens based on code and smart contracts—automated rules that execute exactly as programmed.

If this happens, that happens. Just like in Web2 coding:

If this, then that.

But in Web3, these rules control real assets, real money, and real outcomes—without human interference.

A Simple Example: The Parking Meter

Let’s bring it down to Earth. Think about a parking meter.

When you park your car:

  • You drop in quarters (or more likely, tap a credit card or use an app)

  • The system gives you 15 minutes or an hour, whatever you paid for

  • There’s no parking attendant. No gatekeeper. No negotiations.

It’s 100% automated.

It works the same for everyone.

You don’t have to trust a person—you trust the system.

That’s trustless.

Web3: Parking Meters on Steroids

Now imagine instead of a single meter transaction, you have:

  • A smart contract that manages 10,000 different payments

  • Or releases digital art when someone sends ETH

  • Or distributes royalties automatically every hour

All without middlemen. All without delay.

All written in code, not promises.

That’s the power of trustless systems.

So… Is It Really “Trustless”?

Not exactly. You’re still trusting something—but it’s code, not people.

You’re trusting that:

  • The code works as written

  • The blockchain can’t be changed or corrupted

  • No one can tamper with the system once it’s live

In that way, “trustless” is a bit of a misnomer.

It’s really “trust-in-code.”

Why It Matters

Trustless systems:

  • Lower costs (no middlemen)

  • Increase speed (no manual approvals)

  • Reduce fraud (no one to bribe or mislead)

  • Work 24/7 (even while you sleep)

And that’s why Web3 builders, investors, and companies love the term—even if it sounds cold.

It’s not about eliminating trust.

It’s about replacing fragile human trust with automated certainty.

Visit the Blockchain Minute for more videos!

 

 

Blockchain for SchmucksBlockchain for Schmucks

Don’t Be A Schmuck! Imagine its 1993, and some Putz tells you that we will be using our computers and telephones to watch TV, buy stocks, purchase groceries, read the newspaper, pay our bills, and run our businesses. This will happen because of a new protocol called: “The Internet.” You would say “gay chacham, ye linger” (go away, you liar)!

But here we are now, looking at this Fakakta new technology called “Blockchain” which offers as much promise as the Internet did in 1993. This isn’t Chazerei (junk) but real technology that is being used every day. You’re using it yourself but don’t know it!

This Booklela will keep you from being a Schmuck while you learn about Blockchain, Crypto, NFTs, DeFi and Tokenization, all while you join in the laughter.

Enjoy the book and the Schtumi (ongoing humor). And…..don’t have a kniption (anxious fit)! There’s a glossary in the back for tech & Yiddish. GET THE BOOK!

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