Ledger (blockchain)

A blockchain ledger is a secure, digital record of transactions maintained across a network of computers. Instead of a single trusted authority, it uses cryptography and consensus protocols to verify and record each transaction transparently. Once added, records (blocks) are linked in a permanent chain, making them difficult to alter. This decentralized system ensures trust, security, and immutability, enabling peer-to-peer transactions or data sharing without intermediaries. Think of it as a shared, tamper-proof digital notebook that everyone on the network has access to and can verify, promoting transparency and security.