Seminar paper from the year 2017 in the subject Computer Science - Internet, New Technologies, grade: 1,3, University of Applied Sciences Bonn, language: English, abstract: This paper aims to provide an overview of the main opportunities and limitations of blockchain and, on this basis, to assess what disruptive potential can be attributed to the technology in the financial sector. First, conceptual and theoretical foundations are described. The functionality of the blockchain will be explained using the example of Bitcoins in order to be able to address the potential fields of application and their significance for the financial sector in the following. Finally, core statements will be concluded.