Blockchain technology as a means of sustainable development

Summary Blockchain technology is a novel computing model and ecosystem for trusted digital services. The technology promotes trust and decentralization, which has inspired new ways to develop smart digital business, engage communities, and automate societies. This makes it a typical multidisciplinary technology enabler for sustainable development with unique properties including trust, automation, decentralization, immutability, and resilience. This Primer aims to emphasize the potential role of blockchain technology in assisting a transition to a sustainable society through shedding light on the rationale behind blockchains, their core properties, and the available variants to get started. The article also conveys the main challenges impeding blockchain technology from attaining its full potential. Therefore, we encourage researchers, professionals, and enthusiasts from different sectors to continue exploring blockchains and investigate their potential for multidisciplinary applications while raising awareness about the considerate and wise use of this technology.