A blockchain virtual machine is a software environment that mimics a physical computer and is designed to execute smart contracts or decentralised applications (dapps) on the blockchain network. It provides a secure and isolated environment, ensuring that code execution is consistent and predictable across different nodes in the blockchain network, promoting trust and reliability in dapps.
One of the most well-known virtual machines in the cryptocurrency space is the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). It is a Turing-complete virtual machine that runs on the Ethereum blockchain, allowing developers to write smart contracts in high-level languages like Solidity and deploy them on the Ethereum network. The EVM executes these smart contracts and ensures their deterministic behaviour across all nodes in the network.