Preface

Blockchain-based apps, in addition to cryptocurrencies, are being developed in a variety of industries, including banking, the supply chain, and healthcare, in order to achieve digital transformation and enhance the user experience. Blockchain is not only about Bitcoin or cryptocurrencies, but also about different technologies, such as peer-to-peer networks, consensus mechanisms, and cryptography. These technologies together help to sustain trustless environments in which digital value can be transferred between individuals without intermediaries.

This book will help you understand the basics of blockchain, including cryptographic methods, hash functions, and consensus mechanisms. You will then focus on how blockchain is used today in different industries and the technological challenges faced while implementing a blockchain strategy. The book will also enable you, as a decision maker, to understand blockchain from a technical perspective and evaluate its applicability in business. Finally, you'll get to grips with cloud-based solutions and blockchain frameworks, such as Hyperledger and Quorum, and how to use them.

By the end of this book, you will have learned about the current use cases of blockchain and be able to implement a blockchain strategy on your own.