How is Kaspa's block structure different from a single-chain cryptocurrency?

Unlike most cryptocurrencies where each block points to only one previous block, Kaspa uses a DAG in which a block can point to many other blocks at once. In a standard blockchain, blocks form a single straight line — each new block has exactly one parent. Kaspa's DAG (directed acyclic graph) breaks that constraint: a block can reference multiple prior blocks simultaneously, allowing many blocks to be produced in parallel without any of them being discarded. The DAG is then traversed and ordered so the network reaches consensus on which transactions are valid. This structure is what makes GHOSTDAG possible and is the backbone of how Kaspa achieves high block rates without sacrificing security.