Circular Documentation
  • Getting Started
  • Introduction
    • Introducing Circular
  • Circular's Mission
  • Circular's Technology
    • Certificates & Data Anchoring
    • Multi-Chain Architecture
    • Certified Nodes & Jurisdictional Deployment
    • HyperCode & GPU Accelerated Processing
    • Proof of Reputation Consensus Mechanism
  • Certified Intelligence
  • Developer Tools
    • Enterprise APIs
      • Javascript
        • CEP_Account.open()
        • CEP_Account.setNetwork()
        • CEP_Account.setBlockchain()
        • CEP_Account.update()
        • CEP_Account.submitCertificate()
        • CEP_Account.getTransactionOutcome()
        • CEP_Account.getTransaction()
        • CEP_Account.close()
      • Node.JS
        • CEP_Account.open()
        • CEP_Account.setNetwork()
        • CEP_Account.setBlockchain()
        • CEP_Account.update()
        • CEP_Account.submitCertificate()
        • CEP_Account.getTransactionOutcome()
        • CEP_Account.getTransaction()
        • CEP_Account.close()
      • PHP
        • CEP_Account.open()
        • CEP_Account.setNetwork()
        • CEP_Account.setBlockchain()
        • CEP_Account.updateAccount()
        • CEP_Account.submitCertificate()
        • CEP_Account.getTransactionOutcome()
        • CEP_Account.getTransaction()
        • CEP_Account.close()
      • Python
        • CEP_Account.open()
        • CEP_Account.set_network()
        • CEP_Account.set_blockchain()
        • CEP_Account.update_account()
        • CEP_Account.submit_certificate()
        • CEP_Account.get_transaction_outcome()
        • CEP_Account.get_transaction()
        • CEP_Account.close()
      • Java
        • CEP_Account.open()
        • CEP_Account.setNetwork()
        • CEP_Account.setBlockchain()
        • CEP_Account.updateAccount()
        • CEP_Account.submitCertificate()
        • CEP_Account.getTransactionOutcome()
        • CEP_Account.getTransaction()
        • CEP_Account.close()
  • SDK
  • CLI & Tooling
  • Core Concepts
    • Overview
    • Certificates
  • Accounts
  • Private Chains
  • Data Management
  • Fees
  • Nodes
  • Private Keys
  • Recovery Phrases
  • Tutorials & Examples
    • Circular Connect Guide
      • Create an Organisation Account
      • Create a Blockchain Account
      • Purchase Certificates
      • Using the Explorer & Viewing Certificate Details
    • Create Your First Certificate
  • Industry Use Cases
    • Industry Use Cases - Overview
    • Clinical Trials
    • Medical Devices
    • Public Health
    • Pharma Supply Chains
    • Research and Academia
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  • What You’ll Learn in This Section
  • Core Concepts Quick Links
  1. Core Concepts

Overview

PreviousCLI & ToolingNextCertificates

Last updated 10 days ago

Circular Protocol is built on a few simple but powerful primitives: certificates, accounts, chains, keys, and data. Together, these form the foundation for a secure, decentralized system purpose-built for regulated industries like healthcare, pharma, and public infrastructure.

This section explains the essential building blocks of the protocol, how data is issued, verified, shared, and governed, and how each part works together to deliver trust, compliance, and interoperability by design.

What You’ll Learn in This Section

  • Certificates – Verifiable, tamper-proof records that prove something happened and hasn’t changed

  • Accounts – Unique identities that issue, sign, or own data and assets within the protocol

  • Private Chains – Isolated ledgers that let institutions or workflows operate independently with full control

  • Data Management – How Circular handles metadata, versioning, and sensitive content without centralization

  • Fees – A lightweight system to prevent spam and enable predictable, cost-efficient usage

  • Nodes – The infrastructure that maintains consensus and availability across Circular’s network

  • Private Keys & Recovery – How access is secured, delegated, and restored when needed

Each concept is explained in plain terms, with examples, diagrams (where relevant), and links to implementation details. Whether you’re an enterprise architect or a curious developer, this section will give you the foundation to understand how Circular works under the hood — and why it matters.

Core Concepts Quick Links

Certificates

Accounts

Private Chains

Data Management

Fees

Nodes

Private Keys

Recovery Phrases