Auditable History

Definition ∞ An auditable history refers to a verifiable record of past events or transactions. In the context of digital assets and blockchain, this signifies an immutable ledger where every transaction or state change is permanently recorded and accessible for review. This characteristic allows for transparent inspection and verification by any authorized party. The integrity of such a history is foundational for trust and accountability within decentralized systems.
Context ∞ The concept of an auditable history is central to the regulatory discussions surrounding digital assets, particularly concerning anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) requirements. Regulators seek clear, accessible records to monitor compliance and prevent illicit activities. The debate often involves balancing the transparency benefits of an auditable history with privacy concerns inherent in public blockchains.