People are becoming more attracted to blockchains and cryptocurrency. When blockchains are involved, it is common to think that we’re only speaking of Bitcoins and Bitcoins. However, Bitcoin is just the top of the iceberg; blockchain technology is vast.
Blockchain technology is extensive, and there are a lot of new ones that will stimulate your brain. We will discuss the complete blockchain protocols to be watching for 2018. Protocols are crucial elements of blockchain technology that allow data to be exchanged electronically over blockchain networks securely and safely.
What Is a Blockchain Protocol?
Protocols are a series of rules regulating the operation of something and how it can be transferred between devices. The protocol can be described as a unit of code that is the foundation of security and networking.
It is a framework that defines the rules for data transmission and describes how devices respond to transmitted data.
Top 5 Blockchain Protocols You Need to Know
Corda
It is a different open-source blockchain project specifically created for businesses. It’s used to create an infrastructure for blockchain that can tackle complex enterprise-related issues.
It can help reduce the cost of keeping records and provides development services like Corda App Consulting, Persona Interface, Regulated Tokens, and more. Corda lets companies conduct transactions instantly, with the help of its solid contract knowledge.
Key Features:
- Pluggable Consensus
- Multilayer Ledger
- Interoperability
- Point-to-Point Architecture
- Privacy
Quorum
Quorum is significant because the financial sector supports it. As with many important procedures, Quorum intends to help companies working in the finance industry.
However, Quorum remains an open-source project that is available to everyone. Quorum has also been heavily connected to Ethereum since the beginning of the project with the transformation of Ethereum code.
Key Features:
- Higher Performance
- Peer Permission Management
- Voting-Based Consensus
- Contract and Transaction Privacy
Hyperledger
Hyperledger is an open-source project that plans to develop a range of devices that allow enterprises to swiftly and effectively implement blockchain technology.
The protocol is commonly utilized in software for blockchain because it comes with libraries to accelerate development. In addition, the Linux Foundation is a great advocate of Hyperledger and has contributed considerable expertise to facilitate the development of the technology.
Hyperledger is also very compatible with Linux, which is why it was designed to operate using the same servers used in the modern business world.
Key Features:
- Efficient performance
- Plug-in components are supported.
- Permissioned membership
Multichain
Multichain could be an open-source blockchain portal that provides APIs for transforming integrations and blockchain developers to achieve quicker deployments.
Multichain provides a command-line interface with APIs that protect and create chains. It allows businesses to build private blockchains that can be used for environmentally-friendly transactions and develop blockchain-based applications.
This permits the development of numerous key-value databases and IDs in the blockchain community to allow timestamping and data sharing.
Key Features:
- Faster Development
- Flexible Security
- Unlimited Access to Assets
- Customizable
- Controlled Permissions
Enterprise Ethereum
Ethereum announces the most recent edition of its software, designed for commercial use scenarios. Ethereum Enterprise aims to increase the commercial value of blockchain-related software. Together With Ethereum Enterprise, businesses can develop applications quickly that add value.
Key Features:
- Wide Scalability
- Compatible
- Data Coordination
- Peer-to-Peer Network
Concepts of Blockchain Protocol Technology
Once you know the meaning of protocols and the various kinds of Blockchain networks, it’s time to understand the most commonly used and important terms that are used to describe blockchain protocols by professionals:
POW (Proof of Work)
With the digitization of the economy and the rise of cryptocurrency, the world’s population is becoming better informed about the Proof of Work concept. It allows the recording and validation of Bitcoin transactions without the involvement or oversight of a central agency.
It is also regarded as the first consensus algorithm to generate new blocks. This makes bitcoin mining a highly complex process, and miners must compete to demonstrate the legitimacy of the new bitcoins and transactions. To stay ahead of the curve, new finance and corporate governance technologies make use of POW.
Distributed Ledger
Distributed ledgers are a form of the database made publicly accessible to anyone who wants to review the transaction history without limitations.
They are distributed across many peers and stored in a ledger format to ensure that they are accessible anytime at any time in the near future.
Smart Contracts
Smart contracts are defined rules for logic that can be found in a codified script. To regulate transactions, intelligent contracts are integrated into the blockchain.
Tokens vs. Coins
To operate the blockchain platform effectively, the blockchain platform needs an asset that is digital in each blockchain platform. Participants in the network receive them in the shape of incentives.
They are and can be purchased in the form of coins and tokens. They are also used interchangeably within blockchain networks by businesses.
These digital assets are the basis of the blockchain network. They’re used the same way and only differ by the protocol level.
Based on smart contracts, they are a type of digital assets that are described at a higher level, like Ether which is the currency as well as the cryptocurrency of Ethereum. Based on the protocol, coins are a kind of digital asset described on a lower level. They are digital assets or native tokens like Bitcoin, which is the currency used by Bitcoin, the currency of the Bitcoin protocol.
There is a demand for technical knowledge to transfer coins between wallets. Moving physical coins is susceptible to regulatory problems and complexities.
Therefore, Blockchain platforms, as well as cryptocurrency exchanges, need the use of a digital asset to transfer value between users. A service provider owns a certain number of tokens and coins. To simplify transactions and more simple, these coins or tokens are utilized.