Blockchain

Blockchain is a type of digital record-keeping system where information is stored in „blocks“ and linked together in a „chain.“ It’s like a digital notebook that everyone in a group can see and has copies of, but no one can change without everyone agreeing.

How Blockchain Works

  1. Blocks of Information: Imagine writing down transactions (like „Alice sent Bob $10“) on a page. Each page is like a „block.“

  2. Chaining the Pages: When a page is full, you link it to the next page, creating a chain of pages (or blocks). Each page also has a unique code (like a fingerprint) that connects it to the previous one.

  3. Shared Notebook: Instead of one person keeping the notebook, everyone in the group has a copy. If someone tries to cheat and change something, it won’t match everyone else’s copies, so it gets rejected.

Key Features

  • No Middleman: You don’t need a bank or company to verify transactions—everyone in the group helps check if they’re valid.

  • Can’t Be Changed: Once something is written down, it’s locked in and can’t be erased or altered.

  • Transparent: Everyone can see what’s written in the notebook, so there’s no hiding.

Business Examples

  • Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin and Ethereum use blockchain to track who owns what without needing banks.

  • Supply Chains: Companies use blockchain to track products (like food or clothes) from factories to stores so customers know they’re authentic.

  • Smart Contracts: Agreements that automatically happen when certain conditions are met, like paying for something once it’s delivered.

Blockchain is secure, trustworthy, and doesn’t rely on one person or company. It’s helping create new ways to do business, share information, and manage money without needing to trust just one party.