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  • As we explore the technology behind blockchain it is important to understand what role bitcoin plays

  • Bitcoin is a digital currency launched in

  • 2009 with the intention of simplifying online transactions by bypassing government control of currency

  • It does this by storing and transacting the currency over a peer-to-peer network, a blockchain

  • rather than using a central monetary repository. It's important to make the distinction that bitcoin is not a blockchain itself

  • Bitcoin is transacted over an open public

  • anonymous blockchain network. In many ways you can think of blockchain as the operating system and bitcoin is one of the many applications

  • that run on that system. The blockchain that underlies Bitcoin has some fundamental similarities

  • but also key differences to a blockchain built for business such as the Linux Foundation's Hyperledger Fabric

  • Both are cost effective as they increase speed of transactions and reduce overhead costs

  • Both are highly efficient as the transaction is recorded once and is then visible to all parties through the distributed network

  • Both are Tamper Evident.The transaction cannot be changed

  • It can only be reversed with another transaction in which case both transactions are visible

  • However a bitcoin blockchain is limited in a few ways

  • It is primarily designed to transact cryptocurrency and is also open and public

  • meaning anyone can join and view every transaction that's ever happened on the network. It is anonymous meaning it is nearly impossible to know the

  • identity of who is involved in a transaction

  • Because of this it requires heavyweight cryptography to deter fraudulent activity which requires significant computing power. These

  • characteristics leads to many issues around efficiency

  • confidentiality

  • security and trust when conducting business

  • especially around regulated industries. On the other hand a blockchain built for business enables you to exchange anything of value whether

  • tangible like a car or house

  • intangible like a patent or copyright or digital like videos or photos. It is private so the invited members

  • know exactly who they are doing business with. It is permissioned so participants are only given access to data relevant to them and

  • it runs on smart contracts, business logic embedded into the network reducing disputes and

  • increasing trust. The blockchain for business also utilizes selective endorsement which allows participants to control exactly who verifies

  • transactions. All of these qualities make a blockchain for business more efficient more secure and more effective across your business networks

  • For more information on building a blockchain for business; visit

  • Ready to start building a blockchain for business? Visit

As we explore the technology behind blockchain it is important to understand what role bitcoin plays

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