How Blockchain Works?
“Bro, what’s this blockchain thing ah? I see it everywhere, Bitcoin, Crypto, even NFT. But still blur, wei.”
I get that question a lot. From friends, family, even my old school teachers who suddenly got curious after hearing Bitcoin hit a new high (or low, it's always one or the other, kan?).
And honestly? I didn’t get it either at first. I just knew people were making crazy money with crypto, and everyone kept throwing this word “blockchain” like it was some magic password to financial freedom.
But here’s the thing: once you take a breath, drop the jargon, and break it down slowly, it actually makes sense. You don’t need to be a techie or finance bro to get it.
So, let’s dive into it, the way I wish someone had explained to me when I first got curious, over teh tarik, roti canai, and a bit of patience.
What the Heck is a Blockchain Anyway?
Let’s not overcomplicate this.
At its heart, a blockchain is a digital ledger. But instead of being kept by one person or company, it’s shared across thousands of computers around the world.
Every time someone makes a transaction, say Ali sends 50 USD worth of Bitcoin to John Wick, that gets recorded on the blockchain. Once enough transactions are collected, they’re packed into a “block” and added to the chain of previous blocks. Hence the name: block-chain.
Think of it like a never-ending receipt, where everyone can see the full history of every transaction ever made. No delete button. No funny business.
Still with me? Great.
A Real-Life Analogy: The Mamak Notebook
Picture this:
You and your gang always lepak at the same mamak. Every time someone forgets cash, they borrow from someone else. Eventually, it becomes a mess: "Eh, did I pay you back last week?" "Bro, I think I paid you in nasi lemak, not cash."
So, you get a notebook. Anytime someone borrows or pays, you write it down. The notebook is always left at the table, and everyone can see it. Can’t erase anything. If someone tries to cheat, others can call them out.
Now imagine that notebook is digital, shared by thousands of people, and updated in real-time.
That’s a blockchain.
Why Is It So Powerful?
This is where it gets interesting.
Blockchain technology is not just about recording stuff, it’s about trust. It allows people who don’t know or trust each other to agree on something… without needing a middleman.
Let’s unpack that:
💸 No More Middlemen
Usually, when we send money or sign contracts, we rely on a trusted third party, banks, lawyers, notaries, etc. They act as gatekeepers.
But with blockchain, the system becomes the trust layer.
• Want to send money to someone in another country? You don’t need Western Union or a bank. Just use Bitcoin.
• Want to prove ownership of digital art? Blockchain’s got your back.
• Need to record land titles or supply chain steps? Blockchain does that too.
All without needing to “trust” a single person or organization.
🔐 It’s Tamper-Proof (Almost)
Once a block is added to the blockchain, it’s locked in.
If someone wanted to change something, like alter a past transaction, they’d have to:
1. Hack that block,
2. Change every single block after it,
3. Do it across thousands of computers simultaneously, and
4. Avoid detection by everyone else running the network.
It’s possible… but insanely difficult, expensive, and basically not worth the effort.
That’s why people say blockchain is immutable, like carving history in stone.
👨👩👧👦 It’s Decentralized
There’s no one company or government in charge. It’s run by a network of nodes (computers), each keeping a copy of the full blockchain.
If one goes down? No problem, the others keep things running.
If one tries to cheat? The others ignore it.
This makes the system resilient, transparent, and hard to censor.
