Blockchain Technology:
Blockchain is a network that utilizes Decentralized technology and encryption to store the history of all transactions carried out with digital assets like Bitcoin in a general ledger. There is no possibility of altering the information stored in the blockchain, and all recorded data is transparently accessible to users. Blockchain networks are those that enable the removal of banks and financial institutions from digital asset transactions, guaranteeing the security of digital currencies. This has led to a significant following for digital assets.
Blockchains are predominantly recognized for their critical role in digital asset systems to maintain a secure and decentralized record of transactions. However, their applications are not limited to digital currencies. Blockchains can be used to immutable data in any industry. They can be utilized for supply chain management systems, voting systems, and various other applications. The foundational technology of a blockchain has the potential to transform various industries by establishing trust, security, and efficiency.
Blockchain technology is a structure that stores transaction records (blocks) as a database known as a "chain" in a network of interconnected "nodes" forming a peer-to-peer network. This entire collection is called a digital ledger.
Blockchain in simple terms: an immutable network of data:
To simplify, blockchain can be visualized as a long chain of data. This data includes transactions processed on the network. Transaction records are stored in blocks, which are then added to the end of the chain after completion and verification of their information. This chain of blocks, known as the blockchain, is stored in nodes or network computers. Nodes are responsible for storing all network data and maintaining a copy of all the information.
The Example of Blockchain Network and Reasons for Its Popularity:
Consider the intention to transfer money within a banking network. The bank verifies the accounts, transfers the money, receives the transaction, and updates the source and destination accounts. However, all these actions are carried out by a system controlled by the bank. If someone infiltrates the banking system, they could transfer the money to a different account instead of depositing it into your friend's account. This scenario happens thousands of times every year worldwide!
In the blockchain system, everything is transparent; your information and your friend's information are reviewed and confirmed by all participants in the network. Algorithms, hashes, and miners ensure that your digital assets are transferred correctly. After a transaction is completed, no one has the power to alter its information, and all network participants can view the transaction data. Additionally, the transaction fees in blockchain are much lower compared to traditional banking fees.
Security in Blockchain: Blockchain utilizes multiple security layers such as various algorithms, Proof of Work, hash functions, Peer-to-Peer systems, etc., creating a highly secure and stable network. New blocks are continuously added to the end of the blockchain, making previous blocks unchangeable. Hash functions alone can ensure the security of an entire chain of blocks. Each block contains the hash of the previous block, and any data alteration changes the hash of the block it is in. Other security layers in blockchain include private and public keys.
Blockchain has various capabilities, with asset transfers being just one of them. Below are some applications of blockchain technology that we will become familiar with:
-Voting
-Digital asset transfers
-Identity verification
-Document registry
-Data storage
-Account management
-Internet of Things (IoT)
-Intellectual property protection and copyright
-Infrastructure for running decentralized applications (like Ethereum)
The Future of Blockchain Technology: In the book "The Fourth Industrial Revolution" by Professor Klaus Schwab, blockchain is referred to as a technology that will engineer the future of humanity. Based on current trends, it is predicted that blockchain will bring significant changes to many industries in the coming decades. Several vital areas that are likely to experience significant changes through the use of blockchain technology include:
Cybersecurity: As a distributed system, blockchain technology can be utilized to prevent tampering, secure data, and allow users to verify the authenticity of files.
Government: Governments can use blockchain technology to replace paper-based systems. Additionally, utilizing this technology for voting reduces fraud and helps protect the identity of voters.
Financial Services - Banking: With global inflation and rising costs of money transfers through financial intermediaries, it is anticipated that developing countries will increasingly adopt digital currencies. One promising area for blockchain development involves creating national digital currencies that function alongside existing traditional currencies.
Healthcare: Blockchain can be used to develop applications for managing patient data, controlling drug supply, automating medical examinations, and medical transactions. Furthermore, blockchain can serve as an effective tool for verifying vaccine shipments and tracking vaccine distribution, addressing concerns about counterfeit vaccines.
Marketing: In the future, blockchain will be a highly useful and practical technology in the field of marketing. By using blockchain, monitoring and assessing the effectiveness of advertising campaigns can increase, reducing instances of advertising fraud. Additionally, blockchain can help collect data on customer behavior and psychology.
The Enigma app and Blockchain: The Enigma app can utilize blockchain technology to improve services and offer new services to its customers. As a highly reliable, transparent, and secure technology, blockchain can bring significant enhancements to the Enigma app. By utilizing blockchain, the app can create better, more secure, and transparent processes, offering users distinct services and higher efficiency.
The Enigma team is currently researching and exploring the use of blockchain technology to enhance services and provide new services, indicating their quest for innovative solutions to improve the performance and upgrade their app. This decision-making can lead to successful growth and development of the app, attracting more users. Therefore, it is possible that in future versions, the Enigma app will utilize blockchain technology to provide new features and improvements to its users. This decision can lead to a better user experience, increased security, and innovative services.