Whether you’re new to blockchain or have been involved for a while, it’s always essential to keep updated with the latest regulations in your area of expertise. 

This scenario applies to Blockchain Technology as it is to any other industry.

A Blockchain is a decentralized and distributed digital ledger. This emerging technology is well-known in almost all industries to record secure transactions across many computers.

The blockchain protocol is the set of rules and guidelines that govern how the blockchain operates and the mechanisms that ensure its integrity and security.

According to the PRNewswire report, the blockchain market is estimated to increase rapidly in the next few years, reaching USD 39.7 billion by 2025. It represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 67.3%, making it one of the fastest-growing industries in the world.

This growth is being driven by increasing interest from businesses and investors, as well as advances in technology that are making blockchain more accessible and user-friendly. With so much potential, now is the time to get involved in the blockchain space.

In this blog, we’ll understand what blockchain protocols are, why we need them, and how they are used in blockchain.

What is a Blockchain Protocol?

A blockchain protocol is a set of rules that govern the operation of a blockchain network. It defines, how transactions are added to the blockchain, how the network reaches consensus on the state of the ledger, and how conflicts and errors are handled by the network.

As already stated, a blockchain is a decentralized and distributed digital ledger that records transactions across many computers. 

So that the record cannot be altered backdate without the modification of all upcoming blocks and the consensus of the network.

In other words, it is a perpetually growing list of records, called blocks, which are linked and secured using cryptography. 

Each block contains a cryptographic hash that stores information from the previous block, a timestamp, and transaction data. By design, a blockchain is resistant to modification of the data.

It is designed to ensure the security and integrity of the blockchain by using cryptographic techniques and a network of nodes. By validating and recording transactions, it can reach a consensus on the state of the ledger and resolve conflicts and errors.

How Does Blockchain Protocol Work?

The blockchain protocol is a decentralized and distributed digital ledger that records transactions across many computers. This ledger is called the blockchain.

Each transaction on the blockchain is registered as a block, which is added to the existing chain of blocks. These blocks are linked using cryptographic hashes, which ensure the integrity of the blockchain by making it extremely difficult to alter the data within a block.

The blockchain protocol is an innovative way to store and manage data securely. By using cryptographic hashes, it ensures that data cannot be altered without changing the entire chain, which makes it virtually impossible to tamper with.

The blockchain protocol relies on a network of nodes to validate and record transactions. These nodes work together to reach a consensus on the state of the ledger, using mechanisms such as proof-of-work or proof-of-stake.

Once a new block has been added to the blockchain, it becomes a permanent part of the ledger. This makes the blockchain a secure and transparent system for recording and verifying the authenticity of transactions.

The blockchain protocol is a decentralized and secure system that enables the exchange of value and verification of authenticity for digital assets without the need for a central authority.

Here is a step-by-step guide to how the blockchain protocol works:

1. A user initiates a transaction request, which could be the transfer of value (e.g. a cryptocurrency) or the execution of a smart contract. The transaction is broadcast to the network of nodes.
2. The nodes receive the transaction and verify it, ensuring that it is valid and that the user has the necessary funds or assets to complete the transaction. This process is called “consensus.”
3. Once the transaction has been verified, it is added to a block along with other verified transactions. The block also contains a previous block’s timestamp and cryptographic hash.
4. The block is then broadcast to the network and added to the blockchain, after being validated and processed by the nodes.
5. By using a cryptographic hash the block is linked to the previous block. It ensures the integrity of the blockchain by making it extremely difficult to alter the data within a block.
6. The new block becomes a permanent part of the blockchain, and the transaction is complete.
7. The network of nodes continues to validate and add new transactions to the blockchain, creating a continually growing chain of blocks.
   

   Overall, the blockchain protocol enables the creation of a decentralized and secure system for exchanging value and verifying the authenticity of digital assets, without the need for a central authority.
   
   Types of Blockchain Protocols:
   

   Protocol	Description	Benefits
   Bitcoin	It is a decentralized, open-source protocol that uses proof-of-work to validate transactions and add new blocks to the blockchain.  It is the first and most popular blockchain protocol. It is primarily used for the transfer of value.	Established and widely accepted Highly secure and  immutable Can be used for the transfer of value and the storage of digital assets Transaction fees is low
   Ethereum	It is also a decentralized, open-source protocol that uses smart contracts to enable the creation of decentralized applications. It uses a proof-of-work consensus mechanism, but in the future, it is planning to switch to a proof-of-stake mechanism.	High level of security and immutability Can be used for the transfer of value and the storage of digital assets Flexible and programmable
   Hyperledger	This open-source protocol was developed by the Linux Foundation specifically for the creation of enterprise-grade blockchain solutions.  It offers a variety of consensus mechanisms and can be customized for various use cases.	Designed for enterprise use Can be customized for various use cases High level of security and privacy Scalable
   Corda	Corda is also an open-source protocol developed for the creation of financial applications.  It uses a unique consensus mechanism called “validating notary,” which allows for high performance and privacy.	This protocol is designed for financial applications Unique consensus the mechanism allows for high performance and privacy Can be used for the transfer of value and the storage of digital assets Scalable
   EOS	This open-source protocol is also a decentralized one.  It uses a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism and a unique governance structure to enable the creation of decentralized applications.	Enables the creation of decentralized applications Fast and scalable Transaction fees is low Unique governance structure
   Ripple	This decentralized, open-source protocol is primarily used for the transfer of value and the settlement of financial transactions.  It uses a unique consensus mechanism called the “Ripple Protocol Consensus Algorithm.”	It is used for the transfer of value and the settlement of financial transactions Fast and scalable Low transaction fees Widely accepted by financial institutions
   Stellar	This protocol is primarily the transfer of value and the settlement of financial transactions.  It uses a unique consensus mechanism called the “Stellar Consensus Protocol.”	Primarily used for the transfer of value and the settlement of financial transactions Fast and scalable Low transaction fees Widely accepted by financial institutions Designed to be interoperable with other blockchain protocols

Bottom line

Blockchain protocols are expanding at a tremendous rate and as a result, new protocols are being developed quickly to meet the demands of every industry, including supply chain, health, banking, cloud services etc.

When it comes to choosing a blockchain protocol for your enterprise application, it’s important to weigh all the options and choose the one that best suits your needs. The protocol you choose will have a big impact on the scope of your development work.

We hope this blog has given you a good overview of the main blockchain protocols currently available. With so many options to choose from, you should be able to find the right protocol for your project.