If you've been following the technology space over the past year or so, you can't have failed to notice increasing talk about blockchain. First implemented in 2009, the technology consists of 'blocks' that hold batches of timestamped transactions, with each block linked to the previous one through cryptography, thus forming a chain.  

While it was originally envisioned as a means of facilitating cryptocurrency exchanges, because blockchain offers the possibility of creating a fraud-proof system for conducting transactions it has huge potential for use outside of the digital currency sphere, attracting interest not just among traditional financial institutions, but in areas as diverse as manufacturing and food production, among others.  

Blockchain technology has advanced rapidly in recent months to become one of the most exciting and highly-anticipated fields in the tech world – but what can it really mean for you? We take a closer look at some of the biggest blockchain breakthroughs that are on the way.  

Banking  

One of the most immediate use cases for blockchain is in the financial and banking sectors, where ensuring speed, security and efficiency are all paramount. Thanks to blockchain's decentralized infrastructure, the technology could allow banks and other financial organizations to carry out transactions faster and more efficiently.