The benefits of Blockchain technology are countless. They are secure, irreversible, and open twenty-four hours a day. Blockchain transactions are also extremely fast, unlike other transaction methods that take days or weeks. And because they do not require third-party intervention, transactions are completely anonymous. And if you are wondering what the benefits are, keep reading to learn more about them. Hopefully, these benefits will convince you to start using Blockchain technology for your online transactions.
Transactions cannot be changed
Blockchains are global, non-alterable logs of all transactions, including both the creation of new ones and removing old ones. Each block contains a cryptographic hash of the previous block, transaction data, and a timestamp. The timestamp verifies that the data was present when the block was published. Blocks form a chain, with each additional one reinforcing the previous one. Blockchains are inherently resistant to tampering, since no single person can alter the data contained in any one block.
They are irreversible
Most blockchain transactions are not reversible, but it depends on the type of blockchain you’re using. A public blockchain is made to be irreversible by design, to create a more reliable system and speed up transactions. Private chains, on the other hand, have to decide whether or not transactions can be reversed. The situation is complex and controversies abound. Here’s what you should know.
They are secure
A blockchain is a distributed ledger that records information. Once loaded onto a blockchain, information cannot be changed or deleted. A blockchain administrator or owner cannot make changes to information on the chain. This provides a reliable audit trail of information. Because of this, blockchains are incredibly secure. Currently, blockchains are being used in trade finance, digital assets, and information security. To learn more about how blockchains work, read on.
Because each block is immutable, a blockchain’s record of a change in ownership cannot be altered. This is important because a hacker can alter the chain if the original transaction is made using the same information. In a blockchain, the owner of a car can never change its ownership. This makes it impossible to create an “untouchable” blockchain. A blockchain is secure when human error is involved. If it’s stolen, the hacker must control most of the computing power on the network to change the record.
They are susceptible to 51% attacks
These attacks are incredibly difficult to prevent and can double-spend millions of dollars in cryptocurrency. Because they require more computing power, attacks are most commonly seen on smaller blockchains. This is especially true of cryptocurrencies like bitcoin. While it may be difficult to prevent a 51% attack, there are some measures that companies can take to protect themselves. One of these steps is increasing the number of miners on a blockchain.
While Bitcoin and Ethereum are more resistant to these attacks, several projects are still vulnerable. A recent 51% attack on the privacy-centric crypto network GRIN ended with an anonymous entity gaining 58.1% of the network’s hash rate. This effectively prevented the network from making quick payouts. The attack has since been stopped. Fortunately, it’s unlikely to be successful in the near future. If this occurs again, it is important to secure your digital assets.