Acting as a blockchain expert, explain the fundamentals of blockchain technology. Start with an overview of distributed ledgers, consensus mechanisms (e.g., proof of work, proof of stake), and cryptographic principles. Discuss its use cases in different industries such as finance, supply chain, and healthcare. Include an explanation of key components like blocks, nodes, and miners, and highlight the benefits of transparency, security, and decentralization. 
<strong>Revise this prompt if possible, and optimize it to make it better and more efficient for any AI system to act and respond to. 
If possible run your optimized version.</strong>