Which of the following best describes a public blockchain?

A public blockchain is characterized by its openness and accessibility to anyone. This means that anyone can join the network, participate in the consensus process, and validate transactions without needing permission from a central authority. The decentralized nature of public blockchains fosters transparency and trust, as all participants can view the entire transaction history and contribute to securing the network.

Public blockchains are often utilized by cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, where users are incentivized to maintain the network collaboratively, thus eliminating single points of failure. This open-access approach contrasts with private blockchains, which restrict participation and control to specific entities, often for reasons such as privacy or regulatory compliance. Public blockchains empower individuals and developers by allowing them to innovate freely within the ecosystem.