OKX Blockchain 60 Lectures | Episode 1: What is Blockchain?

"OKX Blockchain 60 Lectures" is a blockchain educational animated video series jointly produced by OKX and Sina Technology. Designed for blockchain beginners, it uses articles and educational animations to explain blockchain concepts from conceptual, technical, and application perspectives through 5 major sections and 60 knowledge points. This episode was guided by Mr. Chang Jia, founder of 8btc. In 2019, blockchain has become one of the hottest trends globally, with industries across all sectors beginning to enter the blockchain space. Following the global social media giant Facebook's launch of its blockchain product Libra, domestic internet giants BAT are also eager to participate, awaiting regulatory compliance. It's fair to say that blockchain is currently one of the most promising concepts, with the potential to disrupt internet giants like Google, Amazon, and BAT. However, when asked "what exactly is blockchain?", most people find it impressive yet mysterious, as if it's still far from our daily lives. So today, let me explain what blockchain really is.

In reality, blockchain is part of the internet. To understand blockchain , we need to start with the internet itself. The fundamental essence of the internet is internet protocols. For example, when we browse websites, we type "https://" before the URL - this "http" is an internet protocol.

So what is an internet protocol? It's a method of data transmission that sends data from one computer to another via the internet. Currently, three protocols maintain internet operations: Hypertext Transfer Protocol ("HTTP"), Transmission Control Protocol ("TCP"), and Internet Protocol ("IP"). TCP and IP are underlying protocols that determine data transmission and decomposition, while HTTP is an application-level protocol that determines website identification. Activities like shopping on Taobao during Double Eleven, searching on Baidu, or watching videos on Tencent Video are all built on these internet protocols as foundational conditions. Without these protocols to maintain data transmission, these activities would be impossible.

While blockchain originated from Bitcoin , in essence, it's also one of these internet protocols. However, it integrates many new technologies such as cryptography, distributed storage, smart contracts , and consensus algorithms. It can be said to be an innovative new method of data transmission that improves upon existing internet protocols. Its advantage is that, based on data transmission, it can change the traditional model of trust endorsement centered on third parties. In simple terms, transaction participants no longer need intermediaries to guarantee every transaction. They can conduct transactions without knowing the other party's basic information. Taking Double Eleven Taobao shopping as an example, buyers and sellers can only complete transactions with Taobao as a third-party trust endorsement. Using blockchain technology, however, it can intervene at the underlying data transmission level, directly recording this data without any third-party participation. This data is traceable and immutable, creating an entirely new trust model that improves information security while effectively reducing transaction costs and improving transaction efficiency.

Currently, these traditional internet protocols agradually revealing some drawbacks over time. The replacement or upgrade of internet protocols in the future is inevitable, and blockchain protocols happen to meet this era's needs while having unique advantages. That's why blockchain is considered a future technology trend. It may even bring disruptive revolution to internet giants like Google, Amazon, and BAT that are built on traditional internet protocols. In the future, applications currently on the market may migrate to blockchain protocols. Our online shopping, food ordering, and other behaviors may all need blockchain as a foundation to be completed. At that time, blockchain might say, "Hmph! Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river - don't underestimate the young and poor!" Let's look forward to it together!

Disclaimer

This article may contain content related to products that are not available in your region. This article is intended to provide general information only and is not responsible for any factual errors or omissions. This article represents the author's personal views and does not represent OKX's views. This article is not intended to provide any advice, including but not limited to: (i) investment advice or investment recommendations; (ii) an offer or solicitation to buy, sell, or hold digital assets; or (iii) financial, accounting, legal, or tax advice. Holding digital assets (including stablecoins) involves high risks and may fluctuate significantly or even become worthless. You should carefully consider whether trading or holding digital assets is suitable for you based on your financial situation. Please consult your legal/tax/investment professionals regarding your specific circumstances. Information appearing in this article (including market data and statistics, if any) is for general reference only. While we have taken all reasonable care in preparing this data and charts, we accept no responsibility for any factual errors or omissions expressed herein. © 2025 OKX. This article may be reproduced or distributed in its entirety, or excerpts of 100 words or less from this article may be used, provided such use is non-commercial. Any reproduction or distribution of the entire article must also prominently state: "This article is copyrighted © 2025 OKX and used with permission." Permitted excerpts must cite the article name and include attribution, such as "Article Name, [Author Name (if applicable)], © 2025 OKX". Some content may be generated or assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Derivative works or other uses of this article are not permitted.

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