Maintaining consistency in a system comprised of separate databases can be challenging, particularly in the absence of transactions. The article discusses the importance of defining a system of record versus a system of reference and emphasizes the Write Last, Read First principle to ensure safety properties like consistency and traceability in financial transactions.

TigerBeetle is presented as a groundbreaking database designed for modern transactional needs, prioritizing debits and credits as core primitives, and built with a unique architecture that emphasizes distributed systems and fault tolerance. The article explores its innovative features, including deterministic simulation testing and the use of the Zig programming language, positioning TigerBeetle as a leader in the evolution of database technology for real-time transactions.