Blockchain Basics by Drescher, Daniel;

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Demystify Blockchain— Plain Language, Real-World Impact

Blockchain is transforming industries, reshaping finance, and redefining trust in the digital age. But what exactly is it, and why does it matter? Blockchain Basics, Second Edition gives you the answers—in 30 clear, concise steps designed for readers who want understanding without complexity.

This updated and expanded edition goes beyond the fundamentals to explore the latest developments, including Proof of Stake, Smart Contracts, Blockchain Oracles, Tokenization and NFTs, Decentralized Finance (DeFi), Cryptocurrencies, and Stablecoins. Each concept is explained in plain language, using analogies and illustrations instead of math formulas or programming jargon. No prior knowledge of computer science, cryptography, or coding is required.

Whether you’re a business leader, investor, consultant, or simply curious about the technology shaping tomorrow’s economy, this book bridges the gap between technical detail and practical application. You’ll learn what blockchain is, why it’s needed, the problems it solves, and how it’s being applied in real-world scenarios—from financial systems to commercial innovation.

If you want a straightforward, conversational guide that demystifies blockchain and shows its relevance to business and society, this is your starting point. By the end, you’ll not only understand the technology—you’ll see its potential to change the way the world works.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Daniel Drescher is an experienced banking professional who has held positions in securities trading in a range of banks. Amongst others, Daniel holds a Doctorate in Econometrics from the Technical University of Berlin and an MSc in Software Engineering from the University of Oxford.

Demystify Blockchain— Plain Language, Real-World Impact

Blockchain is transforming industries, reshaping finance, and redefining trust in the digital age. But what exactly is it, and why does it matter? Blockchain Basics, Second Edition gives you the answers—in 30 clear, concise steps designed for readers who want understanding without complexity.

This updated and expanded edition goes beyond the fundamentals to explore the latest developments, including Proof of Stake, Smart Contracts, Blockchain Oracles, Tokenization and NFTs, Decentralized Finance (DeFi), Cryptocurrencies, and Stablecoins. Each concept is explained in plain language, using analogies and illustrations instead of math formulas or programming jargon. No prior knowledge of computer science, cryptography, or coding is required.

Whether you’re a business leader, investor, consultant, or simply curious about the technology shaping tomorrow’s economy, this book bridges the gap between technical detail and practical application. You’ll learn what blockchain is, why it’s needed, the problems it solves, and how it’s being applied in real-world scenarios—from financial systems to commercial innovation.

If you want a straightforward, conversational guide that demystifies blockchain and shows its relevance to business and society, this is your starting point. By the end, you’ll not only understand the technology—you’ll see its potential to change the way the world works.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Daniel Drescher is an experienced banking professional who has held positions in securities trading in a range of banks. Amongst others, Daniel holds a Doctorate in Econometrics from the Technical University of Berlin and an MSc in Software Engineering from the University of Oxford.

Table of Contents:

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Stage 1: Terminology and Technical Foundations.- Step 1: Thinking in Layers and Aspects.- Step 2: Seeing the Big Picture.- Step 3: Recognizing the Potential.- Stage 2: Why the Blockchain Is Needed.- Step 4: Discovering the Core Problem.- Step 5: Disambiguating the Term.- Step 6: Understanding the Nature of Ownership.- Step 7: Spending Money Twice.- Stage 3: How the Blockchain Works.- Step 8: Planning the Blockchain.- Step 9: Documenting Ownership.- Step 10: Hashing Data.- Step 11: Hashing in the Real World.- Step 12: Identifying and Protecting User Accounts.- Step 13: Authorizing Transactions.- Step 14: Storing Transaction Data.- Step 15: Using the Data Store.- Step 16: Protecting the Data Store.- Step 17: Distributing the Data Store Among Peers.- Step 18: Verifying and Adding Transactions.- Step 19: Choosing a Transaction History.- Step 20: Paying for Integrity.- Step 21: Bringing the Pieces Together.- Stage 4: Limitations and Their Solutions.- Step 22: Seeing the Limitations.- Step 23: Reinventing the Blockchain.- Stage 5: Using the Blockchain, Summary, and Outlook.- Step 24: Using the Blockchain.- Step 25: Summarizing and Going Further.- Stage 6: Beyond the Basics - An ultra short introduction to blockchain innovations that happened meanwhile.- Step 26: Using transactions to give orders, Content: Smart Contracts.- Step 27: Betting on blocks on the blockchain, Content: Proof of Stake.- Step 28: Finding alternative ways to consensus, Content: a short overview of alternative consensus machanisms.- Step 29: Connecting to the real world, Content: Blockchain Oracles.- Step 30: Using blockchain as consul of last resort, Content: State Channels .- Bibliography.