Blockchain technology can be classified into the following categories based on different characteristics and application scenarios, corresponding to mainstream representative projects:
I. Classification of Blockchains
1. Classification by Permission Levels
- Public Blockchain
- Features: Fully decentralized, anyone can participate in reading, writing, and verifying transactions, data transparency.
- Applicable Scenarios: Cryptocurrencies, decentralized applications (DApps), open finance (DeFi).
- Representative Projects: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Cardano.
- Consortium Blockchain
- Features: Co-managed by multiple organizations, nodes require authorization to join, balancing efficiency and privacy.
- Applicable Scenarios: Enterprise collaboration (e.g., supply chain, cross-border payments).
- Representative Projects: Hyperledger Fabric, R3 Corda, AntChain.
- Private Blockchain
- Features: Single organization control, centralized node permissions, efficient but low decentralization.
- Applicable Scenarios: Internal data management, audit tracking.
- Representative Projects: Monero (privacy-enhanced), enterprise customized chains (e.g., Walmart supply chain).
2. Classified by Functional Characteristics
- Smart Contract Platform
- Features: Supports programmable logic, automatically executes contracts.
- Representative Projects: Ethereum, BNB Chain, Avalanche.
- Privacy Protection Chains
- Features: Enhances transaction anonymity, protects user data.
- Representative Projects: Monero, Zcash, Oasis Network.
- Cross-chain Interoperability Chains
- Features: Enables asset and data interoperability between different blockchains.
- Representative Projects: Polkadot, Cosmos, Chainlink (Oracles).
3. Classified by Consensus Mechanism
- PoW (Proof of Work): Bitcoin, Litecoin.
- PoS (Proof of Stake): Ethereum 2.0, Cardano.
- DPoS (Delegated Proof of Stake): EOS, TRON.
- BFT-type (Byzantine Fault Tolerance): Hyperledger Fabric, Stellar.
II. Mainstream Blockchain Projects
1. Representative of Public Chains
- Bitcoin
- Positioning: First decentralized digital currency, focusing on value storage and transfer.
- Consensus Mechanism: PoW.
- Ethereum
- Positioning: Smart contract platform, supports DeFi, NFTs, and other ecosystems.
- Consensus Mechanism: Transition to PoS (after the merge upgrade).
- Solana
- Positioning: High-performance public chain, low fees, high throughput (50k+ TPS).
- Consensus Mechanism: PoH (Proof of History) + PoS.
- BNB Chain
- Positioning: EVM compatible, focusing on DeFi and low-fee transactions.
- Consensus Mechanism: PoSA (Proof of Stake Authority).
2. Representative of Consortium Chains
- Hyperledger Fabric
- Features: Modular architecture, supports enterprise-level privacy and permission management.
- Application Scenarios: IBM Food Traceability, Medical Data Sharing.
- R3 Corda
- Features: Focus on compliance and data privacy for financial institutions.
- Application Scenarios: Cross-border payments (e.g., Marco Polo Network).
3. Other Emerging Ecosystems
- Polkadot
- Positioning: Cross-chain hub, supporting interoperability between parallel chains.
- Features: Shared security, customizable sub-chains.
- Avalanche
- Positioning: High-speed smart contract platform, subnet supports enterprise customization.
- Consensus Mechanism: Snowman Protocol.
III. Summary
- Selection Recommendations:
- Public chains are suitable for open ecosystems (e.g., DeFi, NFTs);
- Consortium/Private Chains are suitable for enterprise collaboration and data privacy;
- Cross-chain projects solve multi-chain interoperability issues.
Blockchain technology continues to iterate, emerging projects (e.g., Sui, Aptos) are exploring higher performance and scalability, requiring evaluation in specific scenarios.