The future will become increasingly distributed. As the publicity surrounding Bitcoin and blockchain has shown, distributed technology and business models are gaining popularity. Yet the disruptive potential of this technology is often obscured by hype and misconception. In this detailed guide, Lorne Lantz and Daniel Cawrey distill the complex ideas behind blockchain into an easily digestible reference manual, showing what's really going on under the hood. Finance and technology professionals will learn how a blockchain works as they explore the evolution and current state of blockchain technology, including the function of cryptocurrencies and smart contracts. This book is for anyone evaluating whether or not to invest time in the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry. Go beyond buzzwords and discover what the technology really has to offer. Learn why Bitcoin was fundamentally important in blockchain's birth Explore altcoin and alternative blockchain projects to understand what's possible Understand the challenges of scaling a blockchain and forking a blockchain Learn what Ethereum and other blockchains offer beyond Bitcoin Examine how the money flows in crypto markets Discover where the future lies in this exciting new technology