Step Hash: Real-World Examples

Patient Data Access on a Health Network

A decentralized health system uses XYO Layer One to store and validate hashed patient records—visit logs, prescriptions, and lab results—while keeping private data off-chain.

❌ Traditional Blockchain

To retrieve a patient's historical medical visit from years ago, the system must scan block-by-block through the entire chain. This results in long wait times and high computational load.

✅ With Step Hashes

Blocks are grouped into progressively larger segments, allowing the system to leap directly to the right data group and then quickly pinpoint the needed record.

• Data lookup time drops from minutes to milliseconds

• Efficient queries even across years of records

• Scalable access as patient history grows

Legal File Anchoring and Verification

A law firm uses XYO to anchor document hashes on-chain for proof of existence and timestamping—such as contracts, patents, and digital signatures.

❌ Traditional Blockchain

To verify when a file hash was first recorded, the firm must walk through each block until it finds the transaction—especially slow if the document was anchored years ago.

✅ With Step Hashes

The firm’s verification tools can **skip across grouped hashes**, quickly narrowing down to the exact block where the timestamped document exists.

• Instant verification of on-chain presence

• Useful for audits, court validation, or client disputes

• No full-chain scan required