The article demonstrates several philosophical approaches to understanding the essence of blockchain and cryptocurrency Bitcoin in a cultural context. Firstly, the author argues that the main arguments of the blockchain lie in the field of ideology, not technology: the blockchain is primarily associated with values and ideas, therefore, philosophical refl ction on the blockchain can be meaningful and productive. Secondly, a semantic consideration of the term “blockchain” gives a variety of historical and cultural connotations of the concept of “chain” in theology, literature, biology and contemporary art. In this section, the author also turns to the theological meaning of the “chain” concept to explain the phenomenon of blockchain religion. Thirdly, the article considers one of the most important aspects of blockchain - cryptography in the context of the art of concealment. The author demonstrates the philosophical connection between the encryption and interpretation of secrets and the concealed, as well as