> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://startower.gitbook.io/star-tower-chain/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://startower.gitbook.io/star-tower-chain/basic-knowledge/what-is-blockchain.md).

# What is blockchain

Blockchain is a shared database for storing data or information, with characteristics such as unformatted, full traceability, openness and transparency, and collective maintenance. Blockchain can be understood as a shared and unalterable electronic ledger that can record transactions and track assets in the network. Assets here can be tangible (such as houses and cars) or intangible (such as intellectual property rights, patents, and brands). Almost anything of value can be tracked and traded on the blockchain network, thereby reducing risks and costs in all aspects. The biggest application of blockchain technology at present is digital currency, because the essence of payment is "increasing the reduced amount in account A to account B". If people have a public ledger that records the status of all accounts and all transactions so far, then for any account now, people can calculate how much money they currently have. Blockchain is the public ledger set up for this purpose, and it keeps all transaction records. Blockchain originated from Bitcoin. On November 1, 2008, a person who claimed to be Satoshi Nakamoto published the article "Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System", expounding on the architectural concept of an electronic cash system based on P2P network technology, encryption technology, clock technology, blockchain technology, etc., which triggered the birth of Bitcoin. After two months of theoretical artificial intelligence practice, the genesis block with serial number 0 was born on January 3, 2009. A few days later, on January 9, 2009, a block with serial number 1 appeared and was connected to the genesis block with serial number 0, triggering the birth of blockchain.ed and traded on the blockchain network, thus reducing risks and costs in all aspects. The biggest application of blockchain technology at present is digital currency, because the essence of payment is to "increase the reduced amount in account A to account B". If people have a public ledger that records all account status and all transactions to date, now for any account, people can calculate the amount of money they currently have. The blockchain is a public ledger for this purpose, which keeps all transaction records. Blockchain originated in Bitcoin. On November 1, 2008, a person claiming to be Satoshi Nakamoto published the article "Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System", which explained the architecture concept of electronic cash systems based on P2P network technology, encryption technology, clock technology, blockchain technology, etc. This led to the birth of Bitcoin. After two months of theoretical artificial intelligence practice, the first genesis block with serial number 0 was born on January 3, 2009. A few days later, on January 9, 2009, the block with serial number 1 appeared, and connected to the genesis block with serial number 0, triggering the birth of the blockchain.