What Is a Blockchain?

A blockchain is a decentralized, distributed digital ledger. It consists of records called blocks, which are securely linked together using cryptographic hashes.

Here’s how it works:

Decentralization: Unlike traditional databases controlled by a central authority, a blockchain is maintained by numerous computers (nodes) distributed globally.

Blocks: Each block contains:

A cryptographic hash of the previous block.

A timestamp.

Transaction data (often represented as a Merkle tree).

Security: The cryptographic links between blocks ensure that altering any block retroactively would require changing all subsequent blocks—a practically impossible feat.

Use Cases: Blockchain technology is used for cryptocurrencies (like Bitcoin and Ethereum), supply chain management, voting systems, and more.

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