Introduction

Blockchain has emerged as a foundational digital infrastructure, offering decentralised, tamper-evident data management across financial and industrial domains. Originating from cryptographic advances and distributed systems research, it first gained prominence with Bitcoin’s 2008 resolution of the double-spending problem. Since then, the technology has evolved beyond cryptocurrencies, enabling programmable assets, decentralised finance (DeFi), and trust-minimised business processes through smart contracts . In parallel, the construction sector is undergoing a profound digital transformation—often termed Construction 4.0 or 5.0—with technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), Internet of Things (IoT), AI, and reality capture systems redefining project delivery and asset management. Blockchain complements these developments by ensuring data integrity, enhancing transparency, and enabling automation through immutable ledgers and self-executing contracts . This introductory chapter situates blockchain within both its technical origins and its expanding role in digital construction. Emphasis is placed on the convergence of blockchain with key construction technologies, addressing use cases such as lifecycle data traceability, contractual automation, and supply chain validation. The rationale for the book is outlined: to equip construction professionals—across roles and levels of expertise—with the conceptual clarity and practical insight required to critically engage with blockchain’s implications for the built environment .