ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces blockchain as the technological infrastructure of the Crypto Market. It explains in simple terms what blockchain is, how it works, what mining is, and what types of consensus mechanisms are available. The chapter also discusses the Ethereum platform as the main advancement in blockchain technology, briefly describing how smart contracts work and are applied in finance. The chapter ends with a reference to other potential uses of the blockchain technology, beyond cryptocurrencies, in areas like governance, auditing, trade, cloud computing, and health care.
