Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

Obviously you can create a blockchain that allows edits. Git is a crypto tree technology and it allows rebases.

But the whole point of Bitcoin is that no one should have the authority to reverse transactions or print new coins. And all of Web3/Eth/NFT crypto shares the idea that this technology is useful because it removes the need for trusting a central authority (you trust the code and the distributed network instead)

The idea is that you have the coins and NFTs in your own wallet and no one can take those away from you. So if you are going to add a layer that allows transactions to be immutable you are literally describing a bank or a credit card and there is no need for crypto.



I think this is a mischaracterization of what immutability is.

Immutability means you can’t change history not that you can’t update state. If my utility company needs my new home address and they use a blockchain for some reason (maybe part of a near-realtime electricity payment system), I can always sign a transaction to associate my blockchain address with my new home address. Perhaps the electricity equipment itself can sign my signature to ensure that I am physically located with it and have authority to change who it’s representing.


If you have your keys then yes, you can sign a new transaction.

But what happens if you lost your keys and no central authority has the ability to change your address?


And perhaps worse, what happens if someone steals/copies your private key (say your paper backup) and signs a change of address in your name? Can you convince authorities that you didn't actually make the change?

Maybe if it is a physical address. After all, you presumably live there. But what if it's just some payment contract? As far as they care you yourself signed it, and they have the proof. If you can get them to cancel the contract, what was the point of using blockchain anyway?


There is a central authority though, the people who write and maintain the code and make decisions regarding the protocol. How are they accountable?




Consider applying for YC's Winter 2026 batch! Applications are open till Nov 10

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: