Distributed Ledger Technology

What is DLT?

A form of technology called distributed ledger technology (DLT) enables the development and administration of decentralized digital ledgers. Financial transactions, digital identities, and even physical assets can all be recorded and tracked using these ledgers.

A distributed ledger, as opposed to being held in a single, centralized location, is essentially a database that is dispersed throughout a network of computers. Every member of the network has a copy of the ledger, and any new transactions or changes are added via consensus, where the majority of members must concur that the change is legitimate.

The technology that underpins blockchain, a particular sort of DLT used to produce digital currency, is DLT. such as Bitcoin. But DLT also has a wide range of additional uses, including supply chain management, electoral processes, and digital identity confirmation.

What is DLT used for?

There are numerous applications for distributed ledger technology (DLT), including:

Digital currencies: The blockchain, which is the technology that underpins digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, was developed using DLT.

Supply Chain Management: With the help of DLT, all transactions that take place along a supply chain, from the production of raw materials to the delivery of the finished product, may be captured in tamper-proof digital records. Transparency, traceability, and efficiency may all benefit from this.

Smart Contracts: Using DLT, self-executing contracts that automatically uphold an agreement’s terms can be created. This may lessen the need for middlemen and increase the effectiveness of contract implementation.

Identity confirmation: Without the requirement for a centralized authority, DLT can be used to construct digital IDs that can be used to confirm a person’s identity.

Elections can be conducted securely and transparently using tamper-proof digital voting systems that can be made using DLT.

Digital assets: DLT can be used to create and track digital assets, such as digital artwork and collectibles, as well as to establish their ownership, origin, and authenticity.

Electronic medical records that can be shared among many healthcare providers can be made safe and tamper-proof using DLT.

Banking and finance: DLT can be used to establish safe, unchangeable records of financial transactions as well as to increase efficiency, transparency, and cut costs for a variety of financial services, including payments, remittances, securities trading, and more.

Is DLT and Blockchain same?

Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) are closely related but not the same.

An example of a specific DLT is blockchain. It is a distributed and decentralised digital ledger that is employed to keep track of transactions among a number of computer systems. Blockchain employs consensus procedures, such as proof of work or proof of stake, to validate transactions and uphold the network. Cryptography is used to assure the consistency and security of the ledger.

The word “DLT,” on the other hand, is used to refer to any technology that enables the development and administration of decentralised, digital ledgers. In addition to blockchain, DLT can also refer to other distributed ledger technologies that don’t share the same consensus process as blockchain.

In summary, blockchain is a specific implementation of DLT and it uses consensus mechanism, cryptography and it is decentralized and distributed digital ledger that is used to record transactions across a network of computers, while DLT is a more general term that refers to any technology that allows for the creation and management of decentralized, digital ledgers.

IS DLT better than Blockchain?

It depends on the requirements and particular use scenario. Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) each offer advantages and drawbacks, and the optimal option will depend on the application at hand.

Blockchain is highly suited for use cases including digital currencies, supply chain management, and smart contracts due to its high level of security, transparency, and immutability. Additionally, blockchain is a very mature technology with a sizable and expanding developer community, making it quite simple to locate the materials required to create and implement a blockchain-based solution.

DLT, on the other hand, is a more all-encompassing phrase that covers a variety of various technologies, allowing for greater flexibility and the ability to be customized for certain use cases. Additionally, it supports several consensus processes, which can make it more effective or better suited for particular applications.

It’s important to remember that not all DLT is built on the Blockchain. Some DLT implementations, such as Hashgraph, IOTA Tangle, and Holochain, for instance, do not employ the same consensus algorithm or cryptography as blockchain, which may make them more effective or more suited for particular purposes.