Fundamentals and Applications of Blockchain Technology

Abstract

Blockchain technology has evolved from its origin as the foundation of cryptocurrencies into a versatile, decentralized framework for secure data management. Its core features include decentralization, immutability, transparency, and cryptographic security which enable trustworthy interactions without centralized authority. This review presents a comprehensive examination of blockchain fundamentals, including architecture, consensus mechanisms, and smart contracts, followed by applications across finance, supply chain, healthcare, IoT, and government systems are highlighted.