While the blockchain is the innovation that makes LBRY _possible_, the Data Network is the layer that actually makes the blockchain _useful_.
At this level:
- Metadata stored in the blockchain is interpreted and validated.
- Data referenced by metadata is accessed and distributed via a peer-to-peer network.
- [[Identities]] are created, signed, and validated.
Data network operations are provided by the [lbrysdk](https://github.com/lbryio/lbry). This SDK also provides local wallet functionality and a set of APIs to facilitate building applications.
