Blockchain is a shared, immutable ledger that facilitates the process of recording transactions and tracking assets in a business network. An asset can be tangible (a house, car, cash, land) or intangible (intellectual property, patents, copyrights, branding). Beinsure Media has collected the opinions of blockchain experts and presents an overview of the main key elements of the blockchain technology.
Virtually anything of value can be tracked and traded on a blockchain network, reducing risk and cutting costs for all involved.
The blockchain market is likely to grow from $5.5 bn in 2023 to $24 bn in 2025 at a CAGR of 46%.
Blockchain continues to be a hot topic in the business world and news. Many people have heard of blockchain but may not be familiar with what it actually is (see Biggest Crypto & Blockchain Unicorns).
As a basic definition, blockchain is a data structure that enables the creation of a digital ledger of transactions and the ability to share them among a distributed network of computers.
Blockchain is ideal for delivering that information because it provides immediate, shared and completely transparent information stored on an immutable ledger that can be accessed only by permissioned network members.
A blockchain network can track orders, payments, accounts, production and much more. And because members share a single view of the truth, you can see all details of a transaction end to end, giving you greater confidence, as well as new efficiencies and opportunities (see 5 Steps to Compliance & Blockchain Analysis).
Blockchain is one of the trending technologies in the world, with the highest number of social media mentions. Due to various use cases in the Supply chain, Payments, Digital Assets (Cryptocurrencies), Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT), and Smart Contracts, Blockchain registered massive growth in the past few years.
Key Takeaways
- Blockchain is a type of shared database that differs from a typical database in the way that it stores information; blockchains store data in blocks that are then linked together via cryptography.
- As new data comes in, it is entered into a fresh block. Once the block is filled with data, it is chained onto the previous block, which makes the data chained together in chronological order.
- Different types of information can be stored on a blockchain, but the most common use so far has been as a ledger for transactions.
- In Bitcoin’s case, blockchain is used in a decentralized way so that no single person or group has control—rather, all users collectively retain control.
- Decentralized blockchains are immutable, which means that the data entered is irreversible. For Bitcoin, this means that transactions are permanently recorded and viewable to anyone.
A blockchain is a distributed database or ledger that is shared among the nodes of a computer network. As a database, a blockchain stores information electronically in digital format (see How Much Are Crypto Criminals Laundering Using Blockchain Technology?).
Blockchains are best known for their crucial role in cryptocurrency systems, such as Bitcoin, for maintaining a secure and decentralized record of transactions. The innovation with a blockchain is that it guarantees the fidelity and security of a record of data and generates trust without the need for a trusted third party.
One key difference between a typical database and a blockchain is how the data is structured. A blockchain collects information together in groups, known as blocks, that hold sets of information.
Blocks have certain storage capacities and, when filled, are closed and linked to the previously filled block, forming a chain of data known as the blockchain. All new information that follows that freshly added block is compiled into a newly formed block that will then also be added to the chain once filled.
A database usually structures its data into tables, whereas a blockchain, as its name implies, structures its data into chunks (blocks) that are strung together. This data structure inherently makes an irreversible timeline of data when implemented in a decentralized nature. When a block is filled, it is set in stone and becomes a part of this timeline. Each block in the chain is given an exact timestamp when it is added to the chain.
First proposed as a research project in 1991, the blockchain concept predated its first widespread application in use: Bitcoin, in 2009. In the years since, the use of blockchains has exploded via the creation of various cryptocurrencies, decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and smart contracts.
According to PWC, almost 90% of financial services firms globally, especially the more traditional ones, fear FinTech challengers will chip away at their revenues.
Blockchain is a type of distributed ledger that stores information in blocks linked chronologically in a chain. Each block holds data, which is confirmed and added to the blockchain securely, creating an irreversible timeline of records. This structure provides transparency and security, making blockchain useful across various industries.
Blockchain has diverse applications, including secure financial transactions, supply chain management, healthcare data storage, real estate transactions, voting systems, intellectual property protection, peer-to-peer energy trading, and improving government services.
While blockchain is still largely confined to use in recording and storing transactions for cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, proponents of blockchain technology are developing and testing other uses for blockchain, including these:
- Blockchain for payment processing and money transfers. Transactions processed over a blockchain could be settled within a matter of seconds and reduce (or eliminate) banking transfer fees.
- Blockchain for monitoring of supply chains. Using blockchain, businesses could pinpoint inefficiencies within their supply chains quickly, as well as locate items in real time and see how products perform from a quality-control perspective as they travel from manufacturers to retailers.
- Blockchain for digital IDs. Microsoft is experimenting with blockchain technology to help people control their digital identities, while also giving users control over who accesses that data.
- Blockchain for data sharing. Blockchain could act as an intermediary to securely store and move enterprise data among industries.
- Blockchain for copyright and royalties protection. Blockchain could be used to create a decentralized database that ensures artists maintain their music rights and provides transparent and real-time royalty distributions to musicians. Blockchain could also do the same for open source developers.
- Blockchain for Internet of Things network management. Blockchain could become a regulator of IoT networks to “identify devices connected to a wireless network, monitor the activity of those devices, and determine how trustworthy those devices are” and to “automatically assess the trustworthiness of new devices being added to the network, such as cars and smartphones.”
- Blockchain for healthcare. Blockchain could also play an important role in healthcare: “Healthcare payers and providers are using blockchain to manage clinical trials data and electronic medical records while maintaining regulatory compliance.”
Key elements of a blockchain
- Distributed ledger technology. All network participants have access to the distributed ledger and its immutable record of transactions. With this shared ledger, transactions are recorded only once, eliminating the duplication of effort that’s typical of traditional business networks.
- Immutable records. No participant can change or tamper with a transaction after it’s been recorded to the shared ledger. If a transaction record includes an error, a new transaction must be added to reverse the error, and both transactions are then visible.
- Smart contracts. To speed transactions, a set of rules — called a smart contract — is stored on the blockchain and executed automatically. A smart contract can define conditions for corporate bond transfers, include terms for travel insurance to be paid and much more.
How blockchain works?
Blockchain owes its name to the way it stores transaction data—in blocks linked together to form a chain. As the number of transactions grows, so does the blockchain. Blocks record and confirm the time and sequence of transactions, which are then logged into the blockchain, within a discrete network governed by rules agreed to by the network participants.
Each block contains a hash (a digital fingerprint or unique identifier), timestamped batches of recent valid transactions, and the hash of the previous block. The previous block hash links the blocks together and prevents any block from being altered or a block being inserted between two existing blocks.
As each transaction occurs, it is recorded as a “block” of data
Those transactions show the movement of an asset that can be tangible (a product) or intangible (intellectual). The data block can record the information of your choice: who, what, when, where, how much and even the condition — such as the temperature of a food shipment.
Each block is connected to the ones before and after it
These blocks form a chain of data as an asset moves from place to place or ownership changes hands. The blocks confirm the exact time and sequence of transactions, and the blocks link securely together to prevent any block from being altered or a block being inserted between two existing blocks.
Transactions are blocked together in an irreversible chain: a blockchain
Each additional block strengthens the verification of the previous block and hence the entire blockchain. This renders the blockchain tamper-evident, delivering the key strength of immutability. This removes the possibility of tampering by a malicious actor — and builds a ledger of transactions you and other network members can trust.
Blockchain, sometimes referred to as Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), makes the history of any digital asset unalterable and transparent through the use of decentralization and cryptographic hashing.
The goal of blockchain is to allow digital information to be recorded and distributed, but not edited. In this way, a blockchain is the foundation for immutable ledgers, or records of transactions that cannot be altered, deleted, or destroyed.
- A blockchain is a database that stores encrypted blocks of data then chains them together to form a chronological single-source-of-truth for the data
- Digital assets are distributed instead of copied or transferred, creating an immutable record of an asset
- The asset is decentralized, allowing full real-time access and transparency to the public
- A transparent ledger of changes preserves integrity of the document, which creates trust in the asset.
- Blockchain’s inherent security measures and public ledger make it a prime technology for almost every single sector
This is why blockchains are also known as a distributed ledger technology (DLT).
The primary benefit of blockchain is as a database for recording transactions, but its benefits extend far beyond those of a traditional database.
Most notably, it removes the possibility of tampering by a malicious actor, as well as providing these business benefits:
- Time savings. Blockchain slashes transaction times from days to minutes. Transaction settlement is faster because it doesn’t require verification by a central authority.
- Cost savings. Transactions need less oversight. Participants can exchange items of value directly. Blockchain eliminates duplication of effort because participants have access to a shared ledger.
- Tighter security. Blockchain’s security features protect against tampering, fraud, and cybercrime.
Who invented the blockchain?
A person or group using the name Satoshi Nakamoto published a whitepaper online explaining the principles behind a new kind of digital money called Bitcoin in late 2008. Every cryptocurrency since is an evolution of the ideas laid out in that paper.
- Nakamoto’s goal was to create digital money that would make online transactions between two strangers anywhere in the world possible without requiring a third party like a credit card company or a payment processor like Paypal in the middle.
- This required a system that would eliminate a thorny issue called the ‘double spending’ problem, where a person might use the same money more than once. The solution is a network that is constantly verifying the movement of Bitcoin. That network is the blockchain.
- Every Bitcoin transaction is stored and verified by a global network of computers beyond the control of any person, company, or country.
- The database that holds all of that information is called the blockchain. Bitcoins are ‘mined’ via that huge, decentralized (also known as peer-to-peer) network of computers, which are also constantly verifying and securing the accuracy of the blockchain. In exchange for contributing their computing power to the blockchain, miners are rewarded with small amounts of cryptocurrency.
- Every single bitcoin transaction is reflected on the ledger, with new information periodically gathered together in a “block,” which is added to all the blocks that came before.
- The miners’ collective computing power is used to ensure the accuracy of the ever-growing ledger. Bitcoin can’t exist separately from the blockchain; each new bitcoin is recorded on it, as is each subsequent transaction with all existing coins.
Who Uses Blockchain?
Organizations with large amounts of stored records that need information to be moved and shared can benefit from using blockchain, which can include insurance companies, banks, hospitals and even governments.
It is important to understand that there is not just one blockchain in the world.
There are different types of blockchains in use globally, with many types of blockchain initiatives in development.
- Open or public blockchain: used for governments or nonprofit organizations, where information is open to the public.
- Closed or private blockchain: allows only invited users to participate, see and use the information. This would be of interest to insurance companies to use and share information on insurance policies for administration, billing and claims payments. Only information that is needed to be shared is shared.
Blockchain enhances security, transparency, and efficiency in financial transactions. It reduces fraud risks, lowers transaction fees, and allows for faster cross-border payments by eliminating the need for intermediaries.
Blockchain is secure because it uses encryption and timestamps to protect data in an immutable format. While not completely immune to breaches, its decentralized and transparent nature helps prevent tampering and makes data manipulation detectable.
Industries like finance, healthcare, government, and real estate use blockchain for its security, transparency, and efficiency. Organizations that handle large amounts of records or require secure data sharing benefit from blockchain’s ability to create tamper-proof digital records.
Blockchain Technology Use Cases
Blockchain technology continues to evolve and reshape various industries. Here are the prominent use cases for blockchain in 2024:
- Financial Services: Blockchain enhances security and transparency in transactions, reducing fraud and enabling faster cross-border payments.
- Supply Chain Management: By providing traceability, blockchain ensures product authenticity and helps combat counterfeit goods.
- Healthcare: Blockchain secures patient records, facilitates data sharing among providers, and ensures the privacy of sensitive information.
- Real Estate: It streamlines property transactions by eliminating intermediaries and providing clear, tamper-proof records.
- Voting Systems: Blockchain offers a secure and transparent method for voting, reducing the risk of fraud and ensuring accurate results.
- Intellectual Property: It protects intellectual property rights by providing proof of ownership and a transparent record of rights transfers.
- Energy Sector: Blockchain enables peer-to-peer energy trading and enhances the management of the energy grid.
- Government Services: It improves the efficiency and transparency of public services by providing secure records and reducing bureaucracy.
This is highlight blockchain’s potential to enhance security, efficiency, and transparency across various sectors.
How Blockchain Transforms Insurance?
According to Beinsure Research, smart contracts for digital insurers are getting a lot of attention these days. As part of the digital transformation revolution, they offer a faster, safer, and less expensive way to provide cover than legacy system offerings (see Insurers` Digital Strategies).
In insurance, blockchain enables smart contracts that automate claim payments based on predefined conditions, reducing administrative costs and improving speed and accuracy. These contracts are secure, data-driven, and hold both parties accountable, making them suitable for digital insurance models.
A smart contract is a blockchain-based contract that executes automatically when certain conditions are met. It offers a transparent and tamper-proof way to track insurance claims, reducing the need for third-party involvement and administrative expenses.
What is a smart contract in insurance?
A smart contract is a blockchain-based insurance contract that pays out when certain, predefined conditions have been met. Having evolved over the past decade, today, smart contracts are transparent and data-driven and are therefore comparable to parametric insurance contracts (see How Blockchain Helps E-commers?).
Cheaper than traditional contracts, they are third-party free, which lowers administrative costs as well as premiums (see How Blockchain Can Help the Insurance Industry?).
Just like traditional contracts, smart contracts set out strict parameters between two parties. However, unlike traditional contracts, smart contracts track insurance claims and hold both parties accountable.
As the rate of cybercrime increases, in direct correlation with vast data gathering by corporate entities with the IoT, the urgency to secure information has increased massively – because when serious breaches happen, they cost a fortune to fix.
For example, the Indiana-based Anthem Insurance suffered a data breach in 2015 that was so serious, it exposed the sensitive medical data of 80 million of its customers.
The insurer was forced to pay $39 mn in compensation to several State Attorney Generals following just one lawsuit resulting from the breach. The data was leached from Anthem Inc over several months, with the company eventually settling all lawsuits in 2017. The breach cost them a hefty $115 mn.
Back then, blockchain contracts were not the norm; now, smart contracts can provide a safer environment in which to store sensitive information and data on customers and their policies.
Although not completely fortified against breaches (no system can ever be considered 100% crime-proof), blockchain is currently the most secure method in which information can be stored (see Agility Time for Blockchain in Insurance).
Generally, blockchain ledgers can’t be manipulated or corrupted: they are encrypted and the data is timestamped, transparently providing a tracked record of actions. The transparency also provides evidence of potential tampering, should attempts arise.
FAQ
A 51% attack occurs when a single entity gains control over more than half of a blockchain’s compute power, allowing them to manipulate the ledger, potentially enabling actions like double spending and forking a new chain. Though difficult and costly, this type of attack is possible, challenging the perception of blockchain as “unhackable.”
Blockchain is highly secure due to its decentralized structure, but vulnerabilities like 51% attacks demonstrate that it is not infallible. Security professionals view blockchain as a useful, though not invulnerable, technology, meaning it requires continuous security considerations.
Public blockchains are open to anyone and typically prioritize anonymity, while private blockchains restrict access to known participants and use selective endorsement for transaction verification. This makes private blockchains more suitable for businesses needing confidentiality.
Public blockchains allow anonymous participation, whereas private blockchains require known identities with specific permissions to verify transactions. This controlled access enhances security but can still face insider threats.
Private blockchains offer enhanced control over participant access and transaction verification, which can be essential for enterprises that prioritize data confidentiality and require more oversight than public blockchains typically provide.
Blockchain is driving innovations in areas like shared storage, social networks, and secure data exchange. These applications bring new security challenges as blockchain technology evolves and expands into diverse use cases.
A person or group using the name Satoshi Nakamoto published a whitepaper online explaining the principles behind a new kind of digital money called Bitcoin in late 2008
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Edited by Oleg Parashchak – CEO Finance Media & Editor-in-Chief at Beinsure Media
