Distributed, centrally authored block chain network

A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer program code that, when executed by a processor of a computer system, causes the processor to:

• generate a symmetric key for a party;
• encrypt the symmetric key using a public key assigned to the party;
• generate a header comprising the encrypted symmetric key;
• receive details of a transaction for a transfer of assets involving the party;
• encrypt the details of the transaction using the symmetric key generated for the party;
• generate a block of transaction records for a time period corresponding to the received transactions, the block of transaction records comprising the encrypted details of the transaction;
• and
• transmit the header and the block of transaction records.

A method for viewing private transactions, the method comprising:

• receiving a header and a block of transaction records comprising encrypted transaction records;
• retrieving a private key in a key pair previously assigned to a member of a block chain network;
• identifying the encrypted symmetric key digitally signed by a public key in the key pair;
• decrypting the header using the private key to obtain a symmetric key;
• and
• decrypting transaction records of the block of transaction records using the symmetric key to obtain transaction details involving a transfer of assets.