This book builds a conceptual understanding of blockchains. It is designed to focus on the concepts that build the blockchain. The concepts are in a simplified manner, making it comprehensible for a reader even with a non-computer science background. Deep-rooted understanding of blockchain fundamentals and its functioning.

Blockchain: Redefining the Internet
Introduction
Simplifying Blockchain
Portrait of Blockchain
Deciphering the Blockchain
Uniqueness of the Blockchain
Challenges and Potential Solutions
Deducing Applications in Blockchain
Blockchain as an Evergreen Concept
Evolution of Blockchain
Decentralisation: Role in Blockchain
Distributed Ledger Technology
Blockchain Variants
Dissecting Blockchain
Cryptography in Blockchain
Concept of Hashing / Fingerprinting Data
Creating a Transaction Hash
Merkle Trees: Arranging Transactions
Chaining of Blocks
Building the Network
Accessing the Network
Digital Signature: Building the Trust Layer
Transaction Travel
Putting it all Together
Creating a Truly Decentralised Network
Challenges of Current Internet
Whom do We Trust?
Two Generals’ Problem
Byzantine Generals Problem
Byzantine Fault Tolerance
Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance
Paxos and Raft Algorithm
Decentralised Internet: Public Blockchains
Cryptocurrencies
Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System
How Bitcoin Stands Out?
Proof of Work: Mining Cryptocurrencies
Tracking Bitcoins: Unspent Transaction Outputs(UTXO)
Bitcoin in Public Perception
Beyond Bitcoin
Blockchain 2.0: Programmable Blockchains
Transition Phase of Bitcoin To Ethereum
Concept of Ethereum World Computer
Ethereum Virtual Machine
Account Balance Model
Ethereum Network
Ethereum Clients
Journey from PoW to PoS
Smart Contracts in Ethereum
Decentralised Applications in Ethereum
Tools Used in Ethereum
Ethereum Upgrades
Beyond Ethereum
Layer 2 Networks
Permissioned Distributed Ledger Technology
Importance of Permissioned Blockchains
Introduction to Hyperledger Foundation
Hyperledger Distributed Ledger Frameworks
Hyperledger Fabric
Hyperledger Tools and Libraries
Corda by R3
Use Cases of Permissioned Blockchains

Challenges of Blockchain
Blockchain Trilemma
Technical Challenges
Organisational Challenges
General Challenges
Use cases in Blockchain technology
Introduction
Blockchain for Environment
Blockchain for Finance
Blockchain for Insurance
Blockchain for Gaming
Blockchain for Education
Blockchain and Government
Blockchain in Governance
Blockchain for Healthcare
Blockchain for Media
Blockchain for Real Estate
Blockchain for Supply Chain
The Revolutionary Impact of Blockchain
Introduction
Decentralised Autonomous Organisation (DAO)
DeFi
Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC)
Non-Fungible Token (NFT)
Metaverse
Way Forward Dr. Asharaf S. worked as a Research Scientist at America Online (AOL) R&D Labs and as an Assistant Professor at the Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode. He is a computer engineer/scientist with extensive exposure to algorithms for machine learning.



Sivadas Neelima is a Research Intern of the Blockchain Excellency Programme at Kerala Blockchain Academy (KBA), a centre of excellence under the Kerala University of Digital Sciences