Skip main navigation

New offer! Get 30% off one whole year of Unlimited learning. Subscribe for just £249.99 £174.99. New subscribers only. T&Cs apply

Find out more

Blockchain As A Database

Faculty Andrew Wu makes a comparison between blockchain and database technology

Andrew Wu, Assistant Professor of Technology and Operations and Finance, Stein Research Scholar, and Michael R. and Mary Kay Hallman Fellow at the University of Michigan, explains blockchain as a type of database.

Andrew makes a comparison to DropBox, which is a type of file sharing service. You may also have heard of Google Drive, Apple iCloud, or Mega. Whereas a traditional database is centralized, blockchain is decentralized and uses peer to peer networking to collectively store and share information.

Discussion: What questions do you have about the technical side of blockchain?

This article is from the free online

Cryptocurrency: Beyond Bitcoin Teach-Out

Created by
FutureLearn - Learning For Life

Reach your personal and professional goals

Unlock access to hundreds of expert online courses and degrees from top universities and educators to gain accredited qualifications and professional CV-building certificates.

Join over 18 million learners to launch, switch or build upon your career, all at your own pace, across a wide range of topic areas.

Start Learning now