What is Blockchain?

Blockchain is the tech that underpins cryptocurrency, but is not, in itself, a cryptocurrency. It is a decentralised ledger which tracks digital assets on a peer-to-peer network.

On this network, every node (computer/server) connects to every other and each node holds the same copy of the ledger.

So, blockchain is an ever-growing, secure and shared record-keeping system where each user of the data retains a copy of the records. These records are only updated when most parties agree to the update.

Examples

In a simple sense, this is like your bank account statement or records of your sales and purchases of raw materials. It is similar, in some ways, to an Excel spreadsheet tracking equipment used by a hospital.

A good analogy for explaining blockchain is that of a large book. Think of it as an old book-based ledger, where each page refers to the previous page through a page number. In this analogy the book is blockchain, a page is a block and an entry on that page is a blockchain transaction.

It is easy for you to see if a page has been removed or deleted, just as it is to see if a block has been changed. It is also simple to arrange the pages, thanks to age numbering, and, therefore, identify suspicious behaviour.

The fact the pages (or blocks on the blockchain) are built tightly on top of each other and numbered makes it impossible to tamper with previous entries without someone noticing.

Blockchain parts, and what they look like

A generic blockchain will include certain features. These include:

• Address – unique identifiers – of the sender and receiver. This is usually a public key

• Transaction – representing the transfer value – one address to another

• Block – multiple transactions and other elements, including:

1. Reference to the previous block

2. Nonce – the number generated and used only once

3. Timestamp – creation time of block

4. Merkle Root – hash of all nodes of a Merkle tree

5. Transactions – a record of an event, such as the transfer of crypto from the sender to the receiver’s account

How blockchain works

Here is a simplified explanation of how it works.

Transaction initiated

The node starts, first creating and then signing it with a private key. The transactions may be cryptocurrency transfers or smart contract invocation.

Transaction validated and broadcast

The transaction is verified pre-broadcast and then it is broadcast to other peers, who validate based on pre-set validity criteria.

Find a new block

The transaction is received and validated by miners, then included in a block and the mining starts. Miners then race to finish the block they have created.

New Block found

When the miner solves the math puzzle, the block is considered mined or finalized, and the transaction is confirmed.

Add a new block to Blockchain

The new block is validated, the transactions/smart contracts executed, and it is broadcast to peers. The peers also validate and execute the block, and it is now part of the blockchain. The next block links itself back to this one with a hash pointer, which refers to the previous block.

Benefits of Blockchain

Blockchain offers a range of benefits, perhaps most notably decentralization. This means there is no need for a third party or intermediary as it is based on a consensus mechanism. It is also transparent and can be trusted; a blockchain and its transactions are a public record and immutable, meaning it is almost impossible to change data written on the blockchain. Blockchain is highly available, as it is a system based on thousands of nodes in a network, and data is replicated and updated for every need. It is also highly secure as all transactions are cryptographically secured. Only valid, verified transactions are included in the blockchain. Simplicity is also a benefit, creating a single, shared ledger among parties. For example, it could be used as a one-place healthcare record. Blockchain also allows faster dealings, with the quick settlement of trades, and cost savings, especially as there is no third party or clearing house seeking payment or fees. Additionally, blockchain allows smart contracts to be run, programs that execute business logic on behalf of users, and can be used for smart property, where you link an asset, digital or physical, to a blockchain.

Blockchain problems

There are some issues with blockchain, however. Perhaps most commonly discussed are problems like scalability (they are not scalable as financial networks. Yet.), and adoption. It is still seen as a relatively immature, nascent technology so we are yet to see mass adoption of blockchain. Some people have raised issues of privacy and confidentiality around public blockchains, where anyone can see everything.