Autonomous Research
Blockchains are made up of distributed ledgers.
Goldman Sachs says the technology "has the potential to redefine transactions" and can change "everything."
JPMorgan last month announced it was launching a trial project with the blockchain startup led by its former executive, Blythe Masters. Her company, Digital Asset Holdings, has secured funding from Goldman, Citi, ICAP, and a boatload of other financial firms.
If you're wondering what a blockchain actually is, or how its works, you're not alone. Autonomous Research, which calls the technology a "game changer," has released a report to answer all of your blockchain questions.
The important thing to understand is that it has nothing to do with bitcoin - at least for Wall Street's purposes. Blockchain is the technology behind bitcoin, but it has many other uses too.
Wall Street wants to use blockchains to simplify the way it processes transactions.
That may not sound very exciting, but if it works, it could eliminate back office jobs and costs. So it's worth paying attention to - especially if you're one of the thousands of people who work in bank back offices.
Here's how it works.