> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://monobridge.gitbook.io/monobridge/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://monobridge.gitbook.io/monobridge/ecosystems-and-dapps.md).

# Ecosystems and Dapps

A platform and its application environment determine what types of applications, and how they can be deployed and run. Without a suitable application environment, apps won't be able to work properly. For example, without a computer network, networked applications won't be able to work. Likewise, without a decentralized application environment powered by blockchain, Dapps won't be able to work either.

Up to now, the decentralized application environment powered by blockchain has gone through the following stages.

*  Bitcoin. Bitcoin is the first blockchain system and is itself a Dapp. 
*  Ethereum. Ethereum builds a Turing-complete decentralized computing platform, which provides an environment for the deployment and running of Dapps through smart contracts. 
*  Digital assets cross-chain protocol. Digital assets cross-chain protocols enable the interaction of digital assets between chains. The blockchain system consisting of multiple similar technological systems connected through digital assets cross-chain protocols forms the current multi-chain application environment in which Dapps are deployed and run.

 In the process, the ways in which Dapps are deployed and run have evolved through three stages, i.e. blockchain as application, on-chain deployment and running, and multi-chain deployment in a multi-chain application environment.