Introduction
The term “blockchain” has been thrown around as a buzzword for the past few years, but what is it and why should you care? In this article we’ll tell you everything there is to know about blockchain technology and its potential impact on society, governments and businesses.
How blockchain works.
Blockchain is a decentralized technology that allows for immutable records of transactions. It’s also a distributed ledger, which means every transaction and its metadata are stored on multiple computers around the world.
Blockchain has two main components: a chain of blocks, and peer-to-peer network architecture. Each block contains information about the previous block in the chain along with data to verify its validity (i.e., timestamp). The blocks are linked together through cryptography so that they cannot be altered retroactively; this makes them tamperproof and resistant to fraud–a huge advantage over traditional databases where centralized control by one party makes them vulnerable to attacks like SQL injection or man-in-the-middle attacks on HTTPS connections (meaning someone could intercept your username/password).
What is the difference between centralized and decentralized models?
Blockchain technology is a decentralized database that can be used to store data. In this model, there’s no central authority or node in control of the information; instead, it’s spread out across multiple nodes within a network. This allows for greater security and transparency because no single entity has access to all of your information (i.e., hackers would have trouble getting into one system).
A centralized model has one central authority overseeing all transactions within its system–think PayPal or Venmo in which users send money directly from their bank account through these platforms’ apps rather than dealing with cash or checks themselves. While convenient for users who want quick transactions without having to worry about fraud protection measures like two-factor authentication (2FA), these platforms are also more vulnerable to hacking attacks because they hold so much personal information about their customers in one place.*
What does blockchain technology mean for society, governments and businesses?
Blockchain technology allows for the creation of a decentralized database, which can be used to store data. The database is stored in blocks that are linked together through cryptography. This means that no central authority controls the information in this database and it cannot be altered by anyone except for those who have permission from every node in the network (see What Is A Blockchain?).
Blockchain technology has many potential applications beyond cryptocurrencies; some examples include: banking services, supply chain management, medical records management and voting systems.
Blockchain is the technology that powers cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
In a nutshell, blockchain is a digital ledger that records transactions. It’s also a decentralized, distributed database–a way of recording information without having to rely on a central authority.
Blockchain technology was first developed as the underlying architecture for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies but has since been adopted by industries ranging from healthcare to finance to agriculture.
Conclusion
Blockchain has the potential to revolutionize many industries, including finance, real estate and healthcare. It also offers new opportunities for individuals who want to start their own businesses without needing permission from anyone else or going through the usual bureaucratic red tape involved with traditional institutions like banks or governments.
