BLOCKCHAINS ARE THE BEST BET TO DECENTRALIZE DATA, WEALTH & POWER

A blockchain is essentially a publicly available database that can be managed from many locations, this database cannot be changed, only updated and makes it the perfect place for transparent transactions. Some of these blockchains are public (like the internet), where anyone can see the information and some are private where the code is held within private walls.

Blockchains are NOT just about financial transactions like Bitcoin, there are many use cases, with many target audiences. Each blockchain generally has a unique design and is often targeted at a particular niche. For example, Bitcoin was designed with currency in mind, whereas Ethereum is designed for many different application types.

Here are some high-level benefits of using blockchain: Low Cost. Security. Speed. Open source. Banking for everyone. Censorship-resistance. A more private internet. No middlemen. A peer-to-peer network.

Created in 2008 by someone (or group) calling themselves Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin is an innovative payment network and a new kind of money. 

A breakthrough in computer science, it is the first digital currency to successfully use cryptography to keep transactions secure. A breakthrough in accounting, as the first triple-entry accounting mechanism. It is also a breakthrough in money, value is sent from one online address to another with no need for a third party to validate or clear transactions, making it decentralized (not controlled by any single entity. It is now possible for digital goods to be scarce (uncopyable).

Bitcoin functions via the blockchain— a giant, virtually tamper-proof, shared ledger of all bitcoin transactions ever made. Miners use specialized computing hardware to secure and verify recent transactions into blocks to add to the ledger.

Ethereum is also a distributed, decentralized, public blockchain network. The most important distinction is that Bitcoin offers one particular application of blockchain technology, a peer to peer electronic cash system, the Ethereum blockchain focuses on running many decentralized applications. 

Ethereum aims to act as a decentralized internet by enabling the development of potentially thousands of different applications, or smart contracts, all on one platform (blockchain), instead of having to build an entirely new blockchain for each new application. It's the world's programmable blockchain which enables users to create decentralized applications.

Decentralized finance is a parallel financial system being built with blockchain technology and without banks. Individuals are in control of their funds and data. There are no borders and everyone can have access to it. 

It’s like the Internet, but instead of information being transferred globally, seamlessly, and creatively, the same is happening with money.

Financial transactions -The most logical use for blockchain is transferring funds from one party to another. Most transactions processed over a blockchain can be settled within a matter of seconds, vs banks which can take more than 24 hours in some instances.

Loyalty reward programs - With token-based systems, consumers can be incentivised to return to a certain retail store. Blockchain technology eliminates fraud and waste commonly associated with loyalty programs.

Data sharing - Blockchains can be used as a marketplace to share or sell unused data, most enterprise data goes unused and the technology acts as an intermediary to store and move this data for a number of industries.

Copyright and royalty protection -Blockchain technology provides real-time and transparent royalty distribution data to musicians and content creators. Artists or creators of digital content can ensure they're getting paid royalties for every item sold.

Supply chain monitoring - The technology comes in handy when monitoring supply chains, by removing paper-based trails, businesses can pinpoint inefficiencies within their supply chains quickly, and locate items in real time.

Digital IDs - Blockchain gives users a way to control their digital identities much more securely than traditional ID's. Allows people in poor regions can get access to financial services or start their own business.

Digital voting - Blockchain technology people to vote digitally, it’s transparent and regulators can see if something was changed in the network. Combining the ease of digital voting with the immutability makes your vote truly count.