> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.palliora.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.palliora.org/learn/concepts.md).

# Concepts

###

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th data-type="content-ref"></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><a href="/pages/9usFlfafTzPiaw2aWpWX">/pages/9usFlfafTzPiaw2aWpWX</a></td><td>A neutral node that coordinates data access and computation across the network. Guardians work as a group, so no single node can access data or change a contract on its own.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/pages/uD3DfeiXrRRn5kua7kyy">/pages/uD3DfeiXrRRn5kua7kyy</a></td><td>Defines what data is used, how computation runs, who can see the results, and how participants get paid. If you are building on Palliora, this is the best place to start.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/pages/fEwwtB7QxA73lWoN0XpH">/pages/fEwwtB7QxA73lWoN0XpH</a></td><td>Validators maintain the blockchain, confirm transactions, and agree on the order of blocks. They keep the on-chain record that everything else in Palliora depends on.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/pages/xu1SA1qEpaGdTrPJH4yK">/pages/xu1SA1qEpaGdTrPJH4yK</a></td><td>Runs computation on sensitive data without exposing it to the machine or anyone operating it, using secure processor enclaves called TEEs. Only the outputs allowed by the contract are ever revealed.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/pages/WaEAtoHo2352DgoMIZnY">/pages/WaEAtoHo2352DgoMIZnY</a></td><td>Makes sure that data stored on the network can always be retrieved and has not been changed. Uses erasure coding and compact proofs so nodes can verify data exists without downloading all of it.</td></tr><tr><td><a href="/pages/7tW368C6yOezFvPudK6i">/pages/7tW368C6yOezFvPudK6i</a></td><td>Splits the ability to decrypt data across multiple Guardian nodes so no single party can unlock it alone. A minimum number of Guardians must cooperate before any protected data can be accessed.</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Palliora's white paper

<a href="https://palliora.org/whitepaper" class="button secondary">Read the white paper</a>

#### Previous versions of the white paper

{% file src="/files/h3BjfqtJPo9oNX8VaGE7" %}

### Our path to the white paper

<a href="https://www.decifris.it/koine/vol5/W16" class="button secondary">Seminal idea by Dr. Amit Chaudhary presented at CIFIRIS24</a>

<a href="https://palliora.org/" class="button secondary">Lite paper on the intermediate status</a>

<a href="https://eprint.iacr.org/2025/1896.pdf" class="button secondary">Preprint on computable contracts</a>

<a href="https://arxiv.org/pdf/2510.11065" class="button secondary">Preprint on tokenization</a>