This book provides a comprehensive introduction to blockchain and distributed ledger technology (DLT). Intended as an applied guide for hands-on practitioners, this book includes detailed examples and in-depth explanations of how to build and run a blockchain from scratch. Through its conceptual background and hands-on exercises, this book allows students, teachers, and crypto enthusiasts to launch their first blockchain while assuming prior knowledge of the underlying technology.

How do I build a blockchain? How do I mint a cryptocurrency? How do I write a smart contract? How do I launch an initial coin offering (ICO)? These are some of the questions this book answers. Starting by outlining the beginnings and development of early cryptocurrencies, it provides the conceptual foundations required to engineer secure software that interacts with both public and private ledgers. The topics covered include consensus algorithms, mining and decentralization, and many more.

The second edition features an updated overview of key operational and technological considerations within the realm of DLT, including insights into decentralized finance, ledger scaling, and tokenization. Furthermore, the book provides real-world examples of successful project implementations and offers expanded coverage on tokenization, highlighting its relevance across diverse industries and governmental sectors.