Blockchain is a shared, immutable digital ledger, enabling the recording of transactions and the tracking of assets within a business network and providing a single source of truth and in short, a system in which a record of transactions, especially those made in a cryptocurrency, is maintained across computers that are linked in a peer-to-peer network. Blockchain has become one of the major tech stories of the past decade. But beneath the surface chatter, there’s not always a deep, clear understanding of what blockchain is, how it works, or what it’s for. Despite its reputation for impenetrability, the basic idea behind blockchain is pretty simple. And it has major potential to change industries from the bottom up. It operates as a decentralised distributed database, with data stored across multiple computers, making it resistant to tampering. Transactions are validated through a consensus mechanism, ensuring agreement across the network. In blockchain technology, each transaction is grouped into blocks, which are then linked together, forming a secure and transparent chain. This structure guarantees data integrity and provides a tamper-proof record, making blockchain ideal for applications like cryptocurrencies and supply chain management. Its Benefits - The key benefit of blockchain lies in its ability to provide security, transparency and trust without relying on traditional intermediaries, such as banks or other third parties. Its design reduces the risk of fraud and errors, making it especially valuable in industries where secure transactions are critical, including finance and healthcare. In addition, blockchain helps businesses improve efficiency and reduce costs by streamlining processes and enhancing accountability. How does blockchain work? A deeper dive may help in understanding how blockchain and other DLTs work. When data on a blockchain is accessed or altered, the record is stored in a “block” alongside the records of other transactions. Stored transactions are encrypted via unique, unchangeable hashes. New data blocks don’t overwrite old ones; they are “chained” together so any changes can be monitored. These blocks of encrypted data are permanently “chained” to one another, and transactions are recorded sequentially and indefinitely, creating a perfect audit history that allows visibility into past versions of the blockchain. When new data is added to the network, the majority of nodes must verify and confirm the legitimacy of the new data based on permissions or economic incentives, also known as consensus mechanisms. When a consensus is reached, a new block is created and attached to the chain. All nodes are then updated to reflect the blockchain ledger. In a public blockchain network, the first node to credibly prove the legitimacy of a transaction receives an economic incentive. This process is called “mining.” Here’s a theoretical example to help illustrate how blockchain works. Imagine that someone is looking to buy a concert ticket on the resale market. This person has been scammed before by someone selling a fake ticket, so she decides to try one of the blockchain-enabled, decentralised ticket exchange websites that have been created in the past few years. On these sites, every ticket is assigned a unique, immutable, and verifiable identity that is tied to a real person. Before the concertgoer purchases her ticket, the majority of the nodes on the network validate the seller’s credentials, ensuring that the ticket is, in fact, real. She buys her ticket and enjoys the concert.
