0
0
The Distributed Ledger – A Defining Structure
At the heart of blockchain technology lies the key innovation of a distributed ledger, which is essentially a decentralized database replicated in real-time across a peer-to-peer network of computers. This ledger chronologically records transactions that occur on the blockchain in a permanent and tamper-proof way.
Each participating network node or computer gets an identical copy of the ledger when joining. This ledger contains a complete record of data all the way back to the very first transaction ever conducted on the blockchain. Decentralizing the ledger across many computers enables blockchain’s resilience. And it eliminates reliance on a central authority like banks that previously verified transactions.
Adding New Transactions to the Ledger
When a new transaction occurs, represented digitally in bits of code, it first gets verified by blockchain network nodes using cryptography and computational algorithms. Verified transactions then wait in a staging pool along with others.
Specialized network participants called “miners” take groups of these pending transactions, validate them a second time, and compile them into blocks to then sequentially add onto the existing historical chain of blocks that make up the shared ledger (the “blockchain”).
Incentivizing Miners to Operate the Blockchain
In exchange for doing the computational work to write new blocks full of transactions, the miner who adds each block also gets to write themselves a small bitcoin reward transaction. They also collect tiny optional transaction fees attached to transfers by senders. This provides the economic incentive for miners to keep the network operating smoothly and securely.
Achieving Consensus to Add and Update
Without central oversight, how are miners still able to coordinate adding blocks without chaos or discrepancies? This is achieved through blockchain’s consensus mechanism.
Before officially appending new blocks, miners compete to solve a very difficult computational math puzzle attached to the candidate block. Solving this proof-of-work first allows a single miner to definitively share the finalized block across the whole network.
But one miner adding a new block isn’t enough. A majority of all miners must independently verify the work is valid before consensus declares the new block confirmed. Miners express acceptance by building directly on top of the confirmed block with the next one in sequence, which also references the one below it cryptographically.
Once consensus reaches critical mass, all network nodes simultaneously update their respective copies of the ledger with the block’s data. This decentralized confirmation process enables groups of competing miners to coordinate without ambiguity.
Preserving Integrity Through Transparency
Because every network participant gets a copy of the ledger, transactions on the blockchain remain highly transparent. And due to cryptographic links between blocks, once transaction data makes it onto the chain it becomes very difficult to later modify or delete. Doing so would invalidate all subsequent blocks down the chain.
This tamper-resistant tight integrity of ledger data over long chains of blocks makes blockchain ideal for recording sensitive transactions, credentials, contracts requiring security, and other critical information. Everything gets redundantly preserved in digital stone for posterity and transparency.
An Evolving Future Beyond Finance
Blockchain opened the door to cryptocurrency starting with Bitcoin in 2009. But many more groundbreaking applications are being built and explored. As blockchain adoption progresses, we will likely keep finding creative ways distributed ledgers and consensus mechanisms can enhance data security, veracity, decentralization, and transparency across industries outside of finance too. The story continues unfolding.
