A cryptographic ledger is a digital record-keeping system that uses cryptography to secure and verify transactions. It ensures that data is tamper-proof and can be trusted by all parties involved. This technology is often associated with blockchain, which is a type of cryptographic ledger that organizes data into blocks linked together in a chain. These ledgers are decentralized, meaning they are not controlled by a single entity, which enhances security and transparency. Each transaction is recorded in a way that makes it nearly impossible to alter past entries without detection. This feature is crucial for applications in finance, supply chain management, and digital identity verification.