{"id":14445,"date":"2025-08-13T07:58:08","date_gmt":"2025-08-13T06:58:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/investx.fr\/en\/?p=14445"},"modified":"2025-08-13T07:58:10","modified_gmt":"2025-08-13T06:58:10","slug":"what-is-blockchain-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/investx.fr\/en\/learn\/blockchain\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Blockchain ? Everything you need to know about this revolutionary technology"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Blockchain<\/strong>, or “chain of blocks,” is a revolutionary technology for storing and transmitting information that operates in a secure<\/strong>, transparent<\/strong> manner without any central controlling body<\/strong>. Specifically, it’s a large public<\/strong> and digital<\/strong> ledger shared by numerous computers worldwide, making it extremely difficult to attack or falsify<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n The fundamental principle of blockchain<\/strong> is based on grouping information into “blocks<\/strong>“. Once validated by the network<\/strong>, these blocks are added to the previous ones to form an unalterable chain. Each block contains a set of transactions<\/strong>, a timestamp<\/strong>, and a cryptographic reference<\/strong> to the previous block, creating an immutable<\/strong> data structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The major revolution brought by this technology lies in its ability to enable peer-to-peer value<\/strong> exchange without requiring a trusted intermediary such as a bank, government, or any other centralized institution. While the Internet allows information to be infinitely duplicated, blockchain<\/strong> guarantees the unique transfer of a digital asset, thus solving the fundamental problem of “double spending<\/strong>” that had long prevented the emergence of viable digital currencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This technological innovation was first introduced in 2008 by Satoshi Nakamoto<\/strong>, the mysterious creator of Bitcoin, to operate this first cryptocurrency without relying on a central bank. The genius of this approach is replacing traditional trust in an institution with trust in a mathematical algorithm and a decentralized community of participants.<\/p>\n\n\n Blockchain<\/strong> operates through a distributed consensus mechanism where network participants, called “nodes<\/strong>“, collectively validate transactions according to predefined rules. This validation is performed through different mechanisms such as Proof of Work<\/strong> (Proof of Work) used by Bitcoin<\/a>, or Proof of Stake<\/strong> (Proof of Stake) adopted by more recent blockchains like Ethereum 2.0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The revolutionary aspect of this technology is not limited to monetary applications<\/strong>. Blockchain<\/strong> paves the way for new models of social and economic organization based on decentralization<\/strong> and transparency<\/strong>, allowing us to fundamentally rethink our trust relationships in many areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not all blockchains<\/strong> function according to the same access and governance model. There are mainly two major categories that address different needs and constraints : public<\/strong> blockchains and private<\/strong> blockchains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Public blockchains<\/strong> represent the purest and most original form<\/strong> of this technology. They are accessible to everyone<\/strong> without restriction, allowing anyone to participate in transaction validation, view the complete history of exchanges, and contribute to the network’s operation. These blockchains are described as “permissionless” because no prior authorization<\/strong> is required to participate.<\/p>\n\n\n The decentralized<\/strong> nature of these networks constitutes their main advantage. No single entity controls the system, ensuring exceptional resistance to censorship and manipulation attempts. The complete transparency<\/strong> of transactions, although identities remain pseudonymous<\/strong>, allows everyone to verify the system’s integrity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bitcoin and Ethereum<\/a> perfectly illustrate this model, with thousands of nodes distributed worldwide that maintain and secure the network. This distributed architecture ensures remarkable resilience<\/strong> : even if a significant portion of the network were to be compromised, the system would continue to function.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n In contrast, private blockchains<\/strong> operate on a centralized<\/strong> model where access is strictly controlled<\/strong> by an organization or consortium of entities. Only authorized participants can view data, submit transactions, or participate in the validation process. These blockchains are called “permissioned<\/strong>“.<\/p>\n\n\n This approach prioritizes confidentiality<\/strong> and control over decentralization. Companies often adopt this model to benefit from blockchain technology advantages such as traceability, immutability, and efficiency, while maintaining control over their sensitive data and complying with sector regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Private blockchains<\/strong> generally offer better performance in terms of processing speed and transaction costs, as the limited number of validators allows for optimization of consensus mechanisms<\/strong>. They find application in contexts where trust between participants is already established and where public transparency is not necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Between these two extremes, hybrid<\/strong> and consortium<\/strong> models are emerging to meet specific needs. Consortium blockchains are controlled by a restricted group of collaborating organizations, combining certain advantages of decentralization with shared control. Hybrid blockchains<\/strong>, meanwhile, allow for modulating data access according to needs, with some information remaining private while other information is made public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These different approaches illustrate the flexibility of blockchain<\/strong> technology, capable of adapting to the varied requirements of application sectors, from public cryptocurrencies<\/a> to the most sensitive enterprise information systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like any major technological innovation, blockchain<\/strong> presents considerable benefits but also challenges that should be objectively analyzed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The blockchain<\/strong> ecosystem has diversified considerably since the advent of Bitcoin, giving rise to platforms with distinct characteristics and objectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bitcoin<\/a><\/strong> remains the most emblematic and secure blockchain<\/strong> in the world. Launched in 2009, this first implementation of blockchain technology has proven its robustness with over 15 years of uninterrupted operation. The Bitcoin network processes approximately 7 transactions per second<\/strong> and uses the Proof of Work<\/strong> mechanism which, although energy-intensive, guarantees unmatched security.<\/p>\n\n\n Bitcoin’s value as “digital gold” and decentralized store of value has established itself among institutional and individual investors. Its deflationary nature, with a cap set at 21 million units<\/strong>, makes it a reference asset in the cryptocurrency universe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ethereum<\/strong><\/a> revolutionized the blockchain ecosystem by introducing smart contracts<\/strong>, autonomous programs that execute automatically according to predefined conditions. This innovation paved the way for decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens<\/a> (NFTs<\/a>), and a multitude of decentralized applications.<\/p>\n\n\n With a processing capacity of approximately 15 transactions per second<\/strong> on its main layer, Ethereum recently migrated to a Proof of Stake<\/strong> mechanism that reduced its energy consumption by more than 99%. Transaction fees on Ethereum<\/strong> have decreased considerably in 2024, dropping by 95%<\/strong> compared to the 2021 peaks, making the platform<\/a> more accessible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Solana<\/strong><\/a> has established itself as a high-performance alternative with an innovative architecture theoretically capable of processing up to 65,000 transactions per second<\/strong>. This blockchain uses a hybrid mechanism combining Proof of History<\/strong> and Proof of Stake<\/strong> to achieve these exceptional performance levels.<\/p>\n\n\n Transaction fees on Solana remain extremely low<\/strong>, typically less than $0.025<\/strong>, making it an attractive platform for applications requiring numerous microtransactions. However, the network has experienced some service interruptions that have raised questions about its long-term stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Binance<\/a> Smart Chain<\/strong> (BSC), now called BNB Chain<\/strong>, offers an Ethereum-compatible alternative but with reduced fees and faster confirmation times. This blockchain processes approximately 2,222 transactions per second<\/strong> with average fees of about $0.02<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n Although more centralized than its competitors with only 21 validators, BSC has attracted many DeFi projects thanks to its attractive usage costs and compatibility with the Ethereum ecosystem. Binance exchange<\/a>, one of the largest in the world, actively supports the development of this blockchain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These four platforms<\/strong> illustrate the diversity of approaches in the blockchain<\/strong> universe, each prioritizing certain aspects such as security, performance, costs, or compatibility according to the specific needs of their users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThe Value Exchange Revolution<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Origin and Innovation of Satoshi Nakamoto<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThe Consensus Mechanism<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Different Types of Blockchain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Public Blockchains<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Private Blockchains<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nHybrid Models<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Advantages and Disadvantages of Blockchain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Advantages of Blockchain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nDisadvantages of Blockchain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The Most Well-Known Blockchains<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Bitcoin : The Pioneer Blockchain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nEthereum : The Smart Contract Blockchain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nSolana : The High-Performance Blockchain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nBNB Chain : The Centralized Ecosystem<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nBlockchains with the Lowest Transaction Fees<\/h2>\n\n\n\n