6 Things you need to know about Blockchain
Blockchain is a trending topic everywhere on the internet. So, what is blockchain? If you want to know more about Blockchain then you are at the right place, read this article to enhance your knowledge about Blockchain and cryptocurrencies.
Blockchain technology could enhance the basic services in trade finance. The blockchain relies on the concept of a decentralized, digital, and distributed ledger. Cryptocurrencies are enabled by blockchain technology.
The best-known cryptocurrency is Bitcoin, for which blockchain technology was invented. Cryptocurrencies use encryption techniques instead of the US dollar to control their creation and to verify the transfer of funds. This is more robust and secure than the proprietary, centralized models currently used in the trade ecosystem.
1. Bitcoin and blockchain are two different things:
Blockchain is the underlying technology of bitcoin, but they are not the same. Although they are very much alike, they are different in many ways.
In 2008, Satoshi Nakamoto, using the pseudonym Satoshi, created the unregulated digital currency Bitcoin. Blockchain was the ledger solution used to securely record transactions, facilitating the use of this new currency since there was no bank or government to monitor its use. The introduction of Bitcoin coincided with the introduction of blockchain technology, so it can be considered the first use case for blockchain. Consequently, there is often confusion between the two concepts.
2. The blockchain is a unified system:
A blockchain solution will likely have the same common denominators as blockchain technology, such as having a distributed ledger technology underpinned by cryptography and requiring a consensus mechanism.
The term blockchain refers to a set of protocols that form a distributed ledger and are classified as blockchains. To name a few, Ethereum, Corda from R3, and Fabric from IBM are some examples.
There are some solutions that are similar to one another, while others differ quite a bit. Each blockchain solution will have specific advantages and disadvantages depending on the specific application and use case.
3. The blockchain allows anyone to access private information:
Blockchain allows for the secure transfer of data between parties without revealing transaction details. While it is true that a blockchain ledger is public, many people mistakenly believe that all transactions details are public. This is not true. As explained above, when using blockchain to distribute data to suppliers, companies do not mean their competitors can see the suppliers or what they’re buying. And suppliers cannot see the data of other suppliers. Everything is private and secure, and only the buyer can see the data.
A distributed ledger is public and is designed to be visible. Therefore, many people assume that all details of their transactions are public. However, that isn’t true. Business-to-business transactions are private by default.
The blockchain is a public, shared record of transactions. As such, many believe that their information and transactional details are visible not just to select individuals but to the public at large. This is not true, however; the default setting of these transactions is privacy.
4. Contracts with smart features are legal documents:
The legal term “smart contract” does not accurately describe smart contracts. Smart Contracts were coined by cryptography researcher Nick Szabo in 1994 and consist of software code written by developers.
A Smart Contract is a set of instructions that are triggered by an event. For example, if goods arrive at a customer’s warehouse by this date, release the payment to the supplier.
Smart contracts can be used to automate business logic and obligations in a way that eliminates the need for manual processes. These programs work through distributed ledger technology, which is an electronically-processed transaction database common to several kinds of blockchain networks. Smart contracts are not just for physical products—they can also represent things like financial instruments or shares of risk.
Smart contracts are encrypted, self-executing computer programs that facilitate, verify, or enforce the negotiation of a contract and can function independently of human involvement. Applying these computer-executable contracts to paperless business processes reduces or eliminates the need for third-party verification, auditing, and other intermediaries. Smart contracts aim to provide a secure, efficient way for businesses to conduct transactions via the blockchain.
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Blockchain data is publicly accessible:
Blockchains come in public and private varieties, dependent on their users’ needs. Three general types of blockchains are generally recognized today.
· Public blockchains:
If you want to be part of a public blockchain, all you have to do is download the required software on your device. Blockchain makes it possible for them to store, send, and receive data. A blockchain’s data is publicly available, so anyone can read or write it.
The public blockchain has no central authority, so all users can access and write data. All users must reach a consensus before any data can be stored, after which the data is stored.
Bitcoin is the most popular example of a blockchain that is available to the public. It is a digital currency that enables users to make direct transactions with each other.
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