What is blockchain technology?

Blockchain is being heralded as a revolutionary new technology. But beyond its use in cryptocurrency, very few people understand what they can use it for or what industries it could change. This guide aims to demystify blockchain technology and explain what it is, what it’s used for, how it works and where its future might be.

What is blockchain?

In essence, a blockchain is a database where you can add information, but not remove it. The data stored on a blockchain can be anything, including money (such as Bitcoin), insurance claims or even shares of physical property such as real estate. Instead of being stored on a single server, the database is spread out and stored on a vast network of computers known as nodes. This means that the system is distributed and that there is no central point of failure.

These nodes work together to add new information to the blockchain. This information is added in bundles known as blocks, and each time a new block of information is added, it is chained to the previous one in a linear fashion resulting in the blockchain.

Compare this to a traditional server set-up where a central server stores a copy of the information that you then access through external servers. Whoever controls the central server is in charge of adding information as well as changing or removing it. If the central server is damaged or hacked, the data is compromised. This is one of the problems that blockchain can solve.

Because of the decentralised nature of a blockchain, it means that there is no one single entity with the power to change the state of the blockchain ledger and do things like shut down accounts or seize funds, unlike banks.

Another problem that blockchains solve is the issue of trust.

When parties make a transaction via the blockchain, they only need to place trust in the underlying infrastructure of the blockchain rather than in each other. Since a decentralised computer network can record and verify each transaction as well as make the transaction transparent, trust is created by default.

This means that a blockchain allows for “trustless” transactions. The transacting parties do not need to worry about trust because they give total trust to the network. In other words, using a blockchain means putting your trust in computers, rather than people who might have bad intentions or might simply make a mistake.

How does blockchain work?

A blockchain works by keeping an unchangeable (immutable) record of transactions. It does this by reaching a consensus between all the computers, or nodes, on the network. Because blockchains consist of a distributed network of computers with no central authority, the majority of the nodes must agree to any addition to the blockchain (i.e. adding the next block). No one party can make any changes, which is what makes a blockchain a decentralised system. The more nodes that join the network, the more decentralised it becomes, which in turn improves security.

Consensus refers to the agreement between the nodes on the blockchain’s true state of affairs. If one node tries to lie, then its record of the blockchain won’t match that of the other nodes, and it will be automatically ignored. This system of consensus is fundamental to the security of the blockchain.

You control your personal data on a blockchain by using private keys. A private key is like a lengthy password that gives you access to a digital wallet where your personal data is stored. This data could be anything from money to details about your last medical check-up. The benefit of a private key is that it doesn’t have to be stored on a central server, unlike passwords for regular websites like Google or Facebook, which are prone to hacks.

What problems does blockchain solve?

On a trustless network like a blockchain, you can ask for payment from someone you have never met, and when the payment arrives, you can be sure that it is legitimate and verified, all within a matter of minutes. Existing systems such as the SWIFT banking network currently take two to three days to do this.

Another issue blockchains solve is the double-spend problem. The double-spend problem basically centres around the idea that on a database, someone can make an entry and then go back and change it if they have the power or authority to do so. This would essentially allow someone to spend the same money twice.

Blockchains solve this through a combination of factors that all prevent double spending:

• Each transaction is time-stamped and kept in the correct order.
• Every node must have a copy of the same ledger to reach consensus and to continue the blockchain.
• Any node with a copy of the ledger that doesn’t match the majority of the other nodes will be ignored. That is, if someone tries to spend the same money twice by sending it to two different nodes, then only the node that matches the rest of the nodes on the network will be accepted in the next block of data.

What else can a blockchain do?

Blockchains belong to a group of technologies known as distributed ledger technologies (DLT). DLTs as we know them today have only been around for a decade or so, but are already receiving a lot of attention and development. Much like the Internet, additional protocols and technologies are being built on top of blockchains to further their abilities.

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular ones used today.

• Cryptocurrencies

  No article discussing blockchain technology would be complete without mention of cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrencies are digital “coins” that are native to their blockchain and can be used to reward node operators that help to secure the network and verify transactions.

  Because blockchains require computing power to operate, cryptocurrencies were created as a way of rewarding network participants for their efforts. Cryptocurrencies also double as a store of value. The world’s first cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, was created in 2008 and has since spawned a revolution in digital assets and finance, with over 1,000 cryptocurrencies now existing today.

• Tokens

  Much like their big brethren cryptocurrencies, tokens are also digital assets that are stored and traded on a blockchain. However, unlike cryptocurrencies, tokens are programmed “on top” of an existing blockchain, allowing them to piggyback the existing network infrastructure in the process. This means that tokens can be created easily, can be programmed for an even bigger variety of uses than their underlying cryptocurrencies, and can be used to represent almost anything, including gold, fiat currency and even electricity usage.

  What is an ERC-20 token?

• Smart Contracts

  Pioneered by the Ethereum blockchain, smart contracts are digital contracts that you can program to perform a specific set of functions. Like a physical contract, fulfilment of the contract requires that participants meet certain conditions, but unlike a physical contract, smart contracts can then execute the terms automatically once these conditions are met, such as paying out an insurance claim once you have paid the premium. Furthermore, smart contracts can do this without the need for middlemen, reducing cost while increasing speed and accuracy. According to financial services company, PwC, smart contracts may even eliminate the need for lawyers.

• Digital Assets

  If smart contracts were the second revolution of blockchain technology after cryptocurrencies, the digitisation of real-world assets on the blockchain could be the third. The ability to digitally render ownership of a real-world asset on a blockchain has huge implications for transparency, efficiency, ease-of-use and fundraising for traditional securities markets. Moving securities onto the blockchain via the use of security tokens has the potential to shake up legacy markets like the NASDAQ, NYSE and ASX in the same way cryptocurrencies shook up banking and finance.

• The Internet of Things (IoT)

  Blockchain has a wide variety of uses within the emerging Internet of Things. For the uninitiated, the Internet of Things refers to the network of Internet-enabled devices, such as smartphones, TVs, cars, consumer appliances, etc. Blockchain is able to assist the way these devices communicate with each other, transact, stay secure and automate processes. For example, distributed ledger platform IOTA is working with several car manufacturers, such as Volkswagen, to integrate microtransactions, which will allow electric vehicles to autonomously charge their batteries as well as pay for parking and tolls.

  A report by financial services firm PwC notes that in regards to blockchain and IoT, “There is huge potential here: in 2015, there were already over 5 billion connected devices; this should rise to 20 billion by 2020.” Contrast this with another report by corporate analysis firm IDC which predicts that “By 2019…20% of all IoT deployments will have basic levels of blockchain services enabled” and you can see why blockchain, distributed ledger technologies and IoT are going to be a big deal.

• Digital Identity

  Digital identities are nothing new, but blockchain promises to bring existing disparate systems together to create a product that is greater than the sum of its parts. Thanks to the efficiency and privacy of blockchains, governments and organisations could safely record an individual’s details on a blockchain, while giving ultimate control of that data to the end user.

  Another advantage is that unlike physical documents, a distributed ledger is immutable and cannot be lost or easily destroyed. While each implementation of digital identities will no doubt vary, several existing uses of blockchain for digital identity demonstrate how it can be used. As the refugee crisis continues, the World Food Program is using blockchain to manage food vouchers and ensure aid is reaching those who truly need it. And industry heavyweight Microsoft began testing a decentralised blockchain ID system in 2018 for a broad range of applications.

• Supply Chain Management

  Global supply chains are another industry that blockchain looks set to disrupt in a big way. Giants of industry such as Maersk, Amazon, Walmart and DHL are all exploring ways to improve their existing systems with blockchain technology. Blockchains have the ability to add a level of authenticity and trust to supply chains that is sorely missed by legacy systems. Startups such as VeChain, WaltonChain and veteran companies like IBM are all applying blockchain in innovative ways to improve the supply chain industry.

Who uses blockchains?

Anyone can create a blockchain, although certain blockchains are more popular than others. Bitcoin was the first public blockchain created, and it was designed for the transfer of wealth without a trusted third party. Since then, many different developers, companies and hobbyists have created their own blockchains for all sorts of purposes.

Enterprises are now using those blockchains (both public and private) to improve the way they do business, often cutting out the need for previously required roles, speeding things up and making business cheaper.

Let’s take a look at some of the biggest companies using or exploring blockchain technology this year.

• IBM: IBM has quickly taken the lead in developing blockchain solutions for private enterprises and the news about partners keeps growing. So far clients include banks, logistics firms, international money transfer groups and insurance providers.
• American Express: Payments provider American Express is tapping into blockchain to improve their customer rewards experience. The company uses the Hyperledger platform to enable merchants to create their own customised Membership Rewards programs for American Express users.
• Ford Motors: Car manufacturer Ford has patented a blockchain system which uses a cryptocurrency to allow vehicles to communicate and transact with each other. Ford imagines the technology could be used to allow driverless vehicles to coordinate traffic and even let cars purchase “fast lanes”.
• Bank of America: Bank of America thinks blockchain is going to be the next big industry, predicting that the technology will become a billion dollar market. They’ve invested on that prediction too, filing nearly 50 patents already, according to CTO Catherine Bessant.
• Microsoft: Microsoft offers blockchain services such as Corda, Hyperledger and Ethereum through their cloud computing system Azure. While Microsoft offers blockchain services to a long list of third-party clients, they have also put their money where their mouth is. Microsoft’s video game platform – Xbox – uses blockchain to settle publisher royalties almost instantly, replacing their previous system, which typically took 45 days to settle.

Issues with blockchain

Identifying issues with blockchain technology really depends on where you sit and the particular blockchain. Critiques often revolve around speed, issues of centralisation (or decentralisation), adoption, complexity and privacy. Some of these issues have fairly simple solutions, such as choosing a private blockchain to increase privacy or creating a new interface to improve usability.

However, the one major issue that several of these smaller issues contribute to is the issue of scalability.

Scalability refers to the ability (or lack thereof) for blockchains to scale as more users join the network. As more users join, speed and size (bandwidth) needs to increase in order to process all the new data being added. Currently, blockchains struggle to do this without making a trade off in other areas, namely decentralisation and security.

This three-way trade-off among scalability, decentralisation and security has become known as the Blockchain Trilemma.

FAQs

• Is blockchain decentralised or distributed?

  Decentralisation and distributed are actually two different features, but both are important to blockchain security.

  Decentralisation refers to there being no central authority that can make changes to the blockchain.

  Decentralisation is never a guarantee, but rather something that public blockchains work to ensure. Private blockchains on the other hand may actually choose to be centralised because it suits their needs.

  Distributed systems refer to the fact that instead of data being stored on a central server, the data is stored across multiple servers, or nodes. All blockchains are distributed, which means there is no central point of failure if the network were ever attacked or physically damaged.

• How to invest in blockchain?

  Since blockchain is a type of technology, you can’t invest in “it” per se; however, you can invest in companies or organisations that use it. Cryptocurrencies are a popular form of blockchain investment since they allow people to purchase the currency or token that powers a particular blockchain or uses the blockchain.

  Another way to invest in blockchain is by choosing companies that are developing blockchain technologies and purchasing stock in those companies.

Disclosure: At the time of writing, the author holds BTC, XRP, BNB, ETH, XLM, PWR, VET, ICX, WAN, ETC, LRC, QASH, XMR, NEO, NXS, THETA and BAT.