Book Image

Mastering Blockchain - Fourth Edition

By : Imran Bashir
5 (3)
Book Image

Mastering Blockchain - Fourth Edition

5 (3)
By: Imran Bashir

Overview of this book

Blockchain is the backbone of cryptocurrencies, it has had a massive impact in many sectors, including finance, supply chains, healthcare, government, and media. It’s also being used for cutting edge technologies such as AI and IoT. This new edition is thoroughly revised to offer a practical approach to using Ethereum, Hyperledger, Fabric, and Corda with step-by-step tutorials and real-world use-cases to help you understand everything you need to know about blockchain development and implementation. With new chapters on Decentralized Finance and solving privacy, identity, and security issues, as well as bonus online content exploring alternative blockchains, this is an unmissable read for everyone who wants to gain a deep understanding of blockchain. The book doesn’t shy away from advanced topics and practical expertise, such as decentralized application (DApp) development using smart contracts and oracles, and emerging trends in the blockchain space. Throughout the book, you’ll explore blockchain solutions beyond cryptocurrencies, such as the IoT with blockchain, enterprise blockchains, and tokenization, and gain insight into the future scope of this fascinating and disruptive technology. By the end of this blockchain book, you will have gained a thorough comprehension of the various facets of blockchain and understand the potential of this technology in diverse real-world scenarios.
Table of Contents (24 chapters)
23
Index

Use cases

Digital currencies were the first-ever application of blockchain technology, which arguably didn’t realize the technology’s full potential. Although Bitcoin, the first major blockchain conceptualization, was introduced in 2008, it was not until years later that blockchain technology’s possible applications beyond cryptocurrencies were realized. In 2010, the discussion started regarding BitDNS, a decentralized naming system for domains on the internet.

Then, Namecoin (https://en.bitcoinwiki.org/wiki/Namecoin) was started in April 2011 with a different vision to Bitcoin, the sole purpose of which was to provision electronic cash. This can be considered the first example of blockchain usage other than purely as a cryptocurrency.

Next, in 2013, the first Initial Coin Offering (ICO), MasterCoin, emerged, which paved the way for more ICOs. After that, Ethereum’s ICO was hugely successful. With the availability of Ethereum in 2015, a general...