The Rise of ‘Big Blockchain’
Abstract
Blockchain and Big Data are very hot terms used in every conversation surrounding tech today, and everyone is trying to use them as incorporating frameworks for every industrial exposure without even reviewing the business dynamics correlated with them. Blockchain comprises a secured ledger system connected via individual blocks, which include every user being part of a given transaction at any moment, while Big Data stores diverse forms of data in one place and uses it for further development of new initiatives, products, and services. They might both fuse into a huge secured network of data collection from diverse resources in one place, controlled by P2P networks.
Introduction
There will be many technologies created as a result of such a fusion, which will establish industrial viability for numerous new tech service business models and effective cost centers for industrial growth.
While cost optimization for such a feat currently seems nearly impossible, with cost reductions over time and increasing blockchain adoption, it is very possible to scale Big Data applications within it.
Possible Applications of Big Blockchains
Distributed Ledger Management of Smart Contracts
We will create connected database transactions within a whole business or organization’s ecosystem linked to both external and internal stakeholders, which will reduce discrepancies and complete relationships of monetary trust and value exchange.
We are creating a block of data here and adding hash function in ‘def calculate_hash’ security to it thus making it virtually impossible to crack unless someone possesses a machine with quantum computing capabilities
class Block:
def __init__(self, index, timestamp, data, previous_hash):
self.index = index
self.timestamp = timestamp
self.data = data
self.previous_hash = previous_hash
self.hash = self.calculate_hash()
def calculate_hash(self):
data_to_hash = f"{self.index}{self.timestamp}{self.data}{self.previous_hash}"
return hashlib.sha256(data_to_hash.encode()).hexdigest()After creating a Block we now add it to the complete blockchain to link the database entries to each other thus making them immutable and ensuirng the first block added to the blockchain has been marked as created with “create_genesis_block’
class Blockchain:
def __init__(self):
self.chain = [self.create_genesis_block()]
def create_genesis_block(self):
return Block(0, time.time(), "Genesis Block", "0")We then check the updates to the blockchain using the function ‘get_latest_block’ and add blocks with every new entry of data with the function ‘add_block’ to the chain system and ensure it’s linked and updated.
def get_latest_block(self):
return self.chain[-1]
def add_block(self, data):
previous_block = self.get_latest_block()
new_block = Block(
len(self.chain),
time.time(),
data,
previous_block.hash
)
self.chain.append(new_block)We then check for validity in the blockchain to ensure no blocks and invalid or have any issues otherwise they are removed with node verification on them, as in when multiple stakeholders involved in the transaction verify that the transaction is accurate/not.
def is_chain_valid(self):
for i in range(1, len(self.chain)):
current_block = self.chain[i]
previous_block = self.chain[i - 1]
if current_block.hash != current_block.calculate_hash():
return False
if current_block.previous_hash != previous_block.hash:
return False
return TrueAfter confirming the validity of the blockchain, We instialize the blockchain fucntionality as seen in the created variable “distributed_blockchain” and we randomly add 5 blocks of data as an example here for testing purposes in the created list ‘data_list’.
# Simulating Distributed Blocks
if __name__ == "__main__":
distributed_blockchain = Blockchain()
# Add massive distributed blocks of data
data_list = [
"Block 1: Transaction data",
"Block 2: Healthcare data",
"Block 3: IoT sensor data",
"Block 4: Financial data",
"Block 5: Supply chain data"
]In the final step we recheck if all transactions aggregated in the forms of blocks are valid or not and we check the output once confirmed.
for data in data_list:
distributed_blockchain.add_block(data)
# Print the blockchain
for block in distributed_blockchain.chain:
print(f"Index: {block.index}")
print(f"Timestamp: {block.timestamp}")
print(f"Data: {block.data}")
print(f"Previous Hash: {block.previous_hash}")
print(f"Hash: {block.hash}")
print("-" * 50)So we can create a blockchain system for transactional monitoring and compliance here which will help us store business data securely and ensure it meets the guidelines.
It is highly possible that Python libraries like web3.py will be used for interacting with Ethereum and other blockchain platforms. Furthermore, it will automate the deployment of smart contracts.
Massive distributed blocks of Data
Large volumes of data from diverse sources will be stored and distributed for further processing, ensuring that the majority of analyses conducted through it will be tamper-proof.
We first import all relevant libraries for processing the blockchain and all transactions within it.
import hashlib
import json
import time
from flask import Flask, jsonify, request
import requests
from uuid import uuid4
We can use a series of functions created within one class to store data in the form of a block within a linked chain (AKA Blockchain) like we did previously.
class Blockchain:
def __init__(self):
self.chain = []
self.pending_transactions = []
self.nodes = set()
self.create_block(previous_hash="1", proof=100) # Genesis Block
def create_block(self, proof, previous_hash=None):
"""Creates a new block in the blockchain"""
block = {
'index': len(self.chain) + 1,
'timestamp': time.time(),
'transactions': self.pending_transactions,
'proof': proof,
'previous_hash': previous_hash or self.hash(self.chain[-1]),
}
self.pending_transactions = []
self.chain.append(block)
return blockWe then create a function to add a transaction to the list of the previous pending transactions after it enters the blockchain
def add_transaction(self, sender, recipient, amount, data):
"""Adds a new transaction to the pending transactions"""
self.pending_transactions.append({
'sender': sender,
'recipient': recipient,
'amount': amount,
'data': data, # Large dataset
})
return self.last_block['index'] + 1We then create functionalities to hash the block for security using SHA-256 to provide proof-of-work (PoW) to each block and validate it and we set this as a static method to ensure it works like that across each block and does not change otherwise the blockchain will not be formed.
@staticmethod
def hash(block):
"""Creates a SHA-256 hash of a block"""
encoded_block = json.dumps(block, sort_keys=True).encode()
return hashlib.sha256(encoded_block).hexdigest()
@property
def last_block(self):
return self.chain[-1]
def proof_of_work(self, last_proof):
"""Simple Proof of Work Algorithm"""
proof = 0
while not self.valid_proof(last_proof, proof):
proof += 1
return proof
@staticmethod
def valid_proof(last_proof, proof):
"""Validates the proof: Hash must start with 4 leading zeros"""
guess = f'{last_proof}{proof}'.encode()
guess_hash = hashlib.sha256(guess).hexdigest()
return guess_hash[:4] == "0000"In the final step, we check if the blockchain created is valid by checking every new node added in other words every user in the blockchain network.
def add_node(self, address):
"""Adds a new node to the network"""
self.nodes.add(address)
def resolve_conflicts(self):
"""Consensus algorithm: Longest chain wins"""
new_chain = None
max_length = len(self.chain)
for node in self.nodes:
response = requests.get(f'http://{node}/chain')
if response.status_code == 200:
length = response.json()['length']
chain = response.json()['chain']
if length > max_length and self.valid_chain(chain):
max_length = length
new_chain = chain
if new_chain:
self.chain = new_chain
return True
return False
@staticmethod
def valid_chain(chain):
"""Checks if a blockchain is valid"""
for i in range(1, len(chain)):
if chain[i]['previous_hash'] != Blockchain.hash(chain[i - 1]):
return False
return TrueHyperledger Databases
Hyperledger Fabric is a permissioned blockchain framework created by the Linux Foundation that allows you to create private, distributed ledger applications. It ensures data access to allowed users within the network to avoid any external visibility of confidentiality.
Creating databases with this framework would ensure automatic data governance and ethics implementation at effective cost management.
To interact with Hyperledger Fabric using Python, we use the fabric-sdk-py library.
We setup the connection and initialize the user details to work in the Hyperledger Fabric
import asyncio
from hfc.fabric import Client
# Define the Fabric Network Connection
NETWORK_CONFIG_PATH = './connection-profile.yaml' # Ensure this exists
CHANNEL_NAME = 'mychannel'
CHAINCODE_NAME = 'mycc'
PEER = 'peer0.org1.example.com'
# Initialize the Client
loop = asyncio.get_event_loop()
client = Client(net_profile=NETWORK_CONFIG_PATH)
# Get the user context
admin = client.get_user(org_name='Org1', name='Admin')We build a programming framework to create and accept transactions within the Hyper Ledger
async def create_transaction():
"""Submits a transaction to Hyperledger Fabric"""
response = await client.chaincode_invoke(
requestor=admin,
channel_name=CHANNEL_NAME,
peers=[PEER],
args=['put', 'data_key', 'Hello Hyperledger!'],
cc_name=CHAINCODE_NAME,
fcn='invoke', # Chaincode function name
wait_for_event=True
)
print("Transaction Response:", response)We then build the functionality to query the data collected within the blockchain ledger
async def query_data():
"""Queries data from the blockchain ledger"""
response = await client.chaincode_query(
requestor=admin,
channel_name=CHANNEL_NAME,
peers=[PEER],
args=['data_key'],
cc_name=CHAINCODE_NAME,
fcn='query'
)
print("Query Response:", response)
we set an automation for the above process in the two lines of code below for any form of data processing.
# Run the functions
loop.run_until_complete(create_transaction())
loop.run_until_complete(query_data())Large-scale databases will be stored in the form of Hyperledger Fabrics, allow organizational data to be verified and processed without the need for intensive data wrangling.
Prospective achievements
The incorporation of Hyperledger databases will facilitate enhanced transparency, trust, and security in the management of data. By utilizing permissioned blockchain networks, we will effectively prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information, thereby safeguarding data sovereignty and adhering to regulatory requirements.
Hyperledger database
In contrast to conventional databases, Hyperledger Fabric will empower organizations to manage access with precision, ensuring that only authorized individuals can view or alter records. With extensive volumes of data being processed through a distributed ledger, we will attain unmatched data integrity and precision.
Data distribution
Each transaction will undergo verification, be recorded, and secured through cryptographic methods, thereby mitigating the risks associated with data tampering, fraud, and discrepancies. This advancement will be especially significant in sectors that demand high-volume data processing, including finance, healthcare, and supply chain management. Moreover, the automation driven by smart contracts will transform the exchange of data and assets.
Smart contract function
Utilizing the chaincode functionalities of Hyperledger Fabric, contracts will execute automatically based on established conditions, diminishing the need for intermediaries and expediting transactions. This will improve operational efficiency, allowing organizations to derive real-time insights from blockchain-validated data with minimal human involvement. By adopting distributed ledger management, organizations will guarantee secure, traceable, and immutable records, thereby fostering trust within multi-party ecosystems.
This approach will not only enhance compliance and auditing processes but also facilitate seamless interoperability among various enterprise systems. The embrace of Hyperledger-based blockchain solutions will herald a new era of decentralized data governance, where scalability, security, and automation serve as the cornerstones of next-generation enterprise operations.
What can we hope from this
A future can be envisioned where data is as readily available as air, yet regulated by stringent ethical standards, guaranteeing that no individual’s information is utilized without their consent or appropriate compensation. The advent of Blockchain and Web3 will mark the conclusion of unregulated data collection, as Big Data will require proper authorization and user incentives. This shift will influence various sectors, fostering trust, efficiency, and automation in the exchange of value.
Supply Chain
The supply chain sector will achieve complete transparency and traceability through blockchain-enabled ledgers, ensuring that every transaction, shipment, and inventory update is securely documented and accessible in real time. Smart contracts will supersede traditional agreements, automating payments and logistics based on verified delivery confirmations. This advancement will eradicate fraud, inefficiencies, and delays, enabling manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers to function with unparalleled accuracy and security.
Healthcare & Hospitals
Patient medical records will be maintained on secure, permissioned blockchain networks, safeguarding data privacy while granting authorized healthcare providers immediate access to essential information. This will prevent duplicate tests, prescription mistakes, and unauthorized data breaches. With smart contract-driven insurance claims, patients will benefit from expedited approvals and automated billing processes, alleviating administrative burdens for both hospitals and insurers.
Finance & Banking
The financial industry will undergo a significant transformation as blockchain facilitates tamper-proof transactions, real-time settlements, and decentralized identity verification. Cross-border payments will become instantaneous and cost-effective, removing delays associated with conventional banking systems. Smart contracts will enable secure lending, fraud prevention, and automated investment strategies, promoting financial inclusion for users globally.
Hospitality & Tourism
Through blockchain-based digital identities, travelers will enjoy seamless check-ins at hotels and other accommodations.
So, while blockchain will impact the given industries, based on the changes we have seen in 2025, it may still take another decade to become a globally adopted industrial norm. Many industries, especially banking, remain conservative toward its adoption. Additionally, industries like banking are deeply interlinked with transformations in other sectors. Therefore, for blockchain to drive widespread change, it must first take effect in the banking sector, enabling its adoption across other industries.
Acknowledgements
I couldn’t have written this article without the inspiration provided by my best friend and business partner, Esha Khan, who introduced me to the world of blockchain.
Ammar Jamshed
http://www.linkedin.com/in/goto-resumemuhammad-ammar-jamshed-029280145
Esha Khan
http://www.linkedin.com/in/esha-khan-tck
