Business people puzzled by blockchain put on their thinking caps to attend an event designed to learn more about the technology.

More than 80 men and women from a cross-section of the island’s business community took part in the ’interactive experience’ designed for anyone with little or no understanding of blockchain.

The island’s first ’Be The Blockchain event was organised by the Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with PwC Isle of Man and Digital Isle of Man.

Be The Blockchain used an analogy which shows how blockchain could have worked in the 1950s with a paper process and limited technology.

Attendees formed small teams to take on the roles of a recorder, validator, and distributor to play a node in a blockchain network and experience how a shared, distributed ledger of transactions is built. It’s designed to enable anyone to learn the characteristics and key concepts of blockchain, and gain a practical understanding of what it is and how it works.

Rebecca George, Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce chief executive, thanked PwC and the Digital Agency for their support, and all of the guests who attended.

She said: ’Over 250 ’Be The Blockchain’ games have been played across Europe to date and we were delighted to bring this event to the Isle of Man for the first time.’

Steve Billinghurst, advisory director, PwC Isle of Man, said: ’The event was one of the largest gatherings of the blockchain experience to date across Europe and it was pleasing to see the engagement of event attendees to better understand blockchain technology and how it can change business.

’I hope attendees enjoyed being the blockchain and I look forward to delivering the experience to more members of the business community in the near future.’

Lyle Wraxall, chief executive of Digital Isle of Man, said: ’We’re really pleased to see such a large turnout from a diverse representation of our business community.

’Providing events such as this support the island in developing the skills and the knowledge that allow us to foster a supportive and inclusive ecosystem for innovative technologies such as blockchain, and maintains the island’s reputation as a well-respected jurisdiction in which to grow a digital business.’