A distributed, immutable ledger maintained by a network of computers through cryptographic proofs. It is defined by its consensus mechanism (the protocol for agreement), its cryptographic chaining (linking blocks via hashes), and its distributed nature (no single central authority). It persists through the continuous, decentralized verification and replication of the ledger by the network participants. [formal: catena cryptographica | substrate: matter | horizon: generations | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.01]
Accepted ontology entry
blockchain
A distributed, immutable ledger maintained by a network of computers through cryptographic proofs. It is defined by its consensus mechanism (the protocol for agreement), its cryptographic chaining (linking blocks via hashes), and its distr…
Definition
Why it is in scope
Blockchain is a human-made construct describing a distributed ledger system that records transactions across a network of participants in a tamper-evident, append-only structure.
Names and aliases
- blockchainen · CANONICAL
Relations from this entry
- cmrfxep1r00bj2a1nqgokzmxuDEPENDS_ON →
blockchain is fundamentally implemented through structured code — code is the medium that makes blockchain operational
- cmrgb4afa00wf2a1n12g836v1DEPENDS_ON →
Blockchain fundamentally depends on cryptography — its security model, transaction verification, and consensus mechanisms all rely on cryptographic primitives as their foundational layer
Relations to this entry
- cmrm5xa7l00065u0osmkf6ubj← DEPENDS_ON
Systema Constructum as a taxonomy platform depends on blockchain for its consensus, record-keeping, and coin mechanisms. Remove blockchain and the platform ceases to operate as designed. Present-tense dependency passes.
- cmsb4116h00f43vv39n4utove← DERIVED_FROM
Blockchain existed first and fed into smart contracts. Smart contracts are a direct application of blockchain's immutability and distributed consensus. Direction: newer→older chronologically.
Record identity
- Created
- Jul 11, 2026, 7:05 AM UTC
- Content hash
- 2dc1b863de886b9da2879a63b16b2ac05fae051c60efa7d579fb8a2a99e37265