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June 14, 2026
The Dispatch

Definition

Blockchain

A blockchain is a shared, append-only digital ledger where transactions are grouped into cryptographically linked blocks, making records hard to alter without consensus.

A blockchain stores data in blocks that are chained together by cryptographic hashes; each new block references the previous one, so altering old data would break the chain. Copies of the ledger are maintained across many participants, and changes require network consensus.

This design makes records tamper-evident and decentralised, the basis for cryptocurrencies and many other applications like supply-chain tracking, tokenisation of assets and smart contracts.

Blockchain is a neutral technology distinct from any single cryptocurrency; in India, several institutions explore enterprise and government blockchain uses even as private crypto assets face strict VDA taxation. This entry is informational.

Related terms

  • CryptocurrencyA cryptocurrency is a digital asset that uses cryptography and a blockchain to record transactions without a central authority; in India it is a taxed VDA, not legal tender. This is informational, not advice.
  • Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT)Distributed Ledger Technology is the broad class of systems where a shared record of transactions is maintained across multiple nodes without a single central authority; blockchain is one type.
  • Smart ContractA smart contract is self-executing code on a blockchain that automatically carries out agreed actions when conditions are met, without an intermediary. This is informational, not advice.

Plain-English explainer from The Dispatch Investors Encyclopedia. General information, not financial advice.