Blockchain technology is characterized by its decentralized and distributed nature, functioning as a public, immutable ledger. Statement 1 accurately reflects this, as anyone can view the ledger, but no single entity has unilateral control. Statement 2 is incorrect because while cryptocurrencies are a prominent application, blockchain's utility extends to various other sectors like supply chain management, digital identity, and voting systems. Statement 3 is also correct; the open-source and permissionless nature of many blockchain protocols allows for the development of applications without requiring central authority approval.