Merkle trees are a fundamental element of blockchain technology. They are used by most protocols, starting with Bitcoin, which relies on the Proof-of-Work consensus mechanism. However, they are utilized by most protocols to ensure the security and integrity of data on the network. If you are interested in the queen of cryptocurrencies, you have probably heard of them, but without really grasping how they work. In this article, we will explain to you precisely and in detail what Merkle trees are and their utility for the Bitcoin network. You will also discover the limitations and prospects of this technology.