What is Blockchain?

Blockchain is a decentralized, distributed ledger of timestamped transactions that are stored in blocks. A blockchain is typically made up of many blocks, and each block refers to the previous one via a cryptographic hash function. Each new block contains the content of previous blocks, plus some additional data such as a timestamp and transaction information. In order to add a new block to the chain, nodes must agree on the validity of the new content using consensus protocols. Blockchain technology was originally developed for cryptocurrency applications like Bitcoin, but it has been applied in other fields such as supply chain management and health care systems design.

Articles related to blockchain development will address the underlying concepts, technologies, and practical examples of how a blockchain is used in a variety of industries. Other articles may discuss platform differences, security considerations, or use cases for businesses large and small.