This book guides readers through the captivating history of blockchains and their transformative potential for future database systems. It demystifies blockchains by leveraging decades of research and practical insights from existing database and distributed systems, applying these familiar concepts to the innovative blockchain framework. The text clarifies the essential block platform at the heart of blockchains, often misconstrued as merely a feature of cryptocurrencies, emphasizing its role in the decentralized system independent of any specific application. It delves into the nature of these decentralized systems, which lack a single owner and gain strength through diverse stakeholder contributions. This characteristic allows blockchains to instill trust in existing systems, presenting compelling solutions across various fields in academia and industry. However, significant real-world applications beyond cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin remain unrealized. The book discusses how, if effectively implemented, this new data system could disrupt industries similarly to how traditional databases did in the past. It also examines fundamental technical limitations hindering blockchain's potential and suggests ways to overcome them. Newcomers will find a thorough overview of blockchain technology, while those with some experience, particularly in cryptocurrency development, will gain valuable insights from a database perspective. Rese
