Blockchain technology can be classified into various types based on different standards and application scenarios. The following are common classifications and introductions to mainstream blockchain projects:
1. Main classifications of blockchain
1. Classification by access permissions
- Public Blockchain
- Features: Fully open, decentralized, anyone can participate in the network, verify transactions or mine.
- Advantages: Transparency, censorship resistance, high security.
- Disadvantages: Lower performance, slow transaction speed.
- Typical applications: Cryptocurrencies, decentralized applications (DApps).
- Representative projects: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Cardano.
- Consortium Blockchain
- Features: Jointly managed by multiple organizations, nodes need authorization to join, balancing efficiency and privacy.
- Advantages: Fast transaction speed, suitable for enterprise collaboration, good privacy.
- Disadvantages: Somewhat centralized, relies on the trust of participating organizations.
- Typical applications: Supply chain finance, cross-border payments.
- Representative projects: Hyperledger Fabric, R3 Corda, FISCO BCOS.
- Private Blockchain
- Features: Controlled by a single organization, node permissions are restricted, highly centralized.
- Advantages: Efficient, strong privacy, suitable for internal management.
- Disadvantages: Lack of decentralization features.
- Typical applications: Enterprise data management, internal auditing.
- Representative projects: Monax, AntChain (customized enterprise solutions).
- Hybrid Blockchain
- Features: Combines characteristics of public and private chains, some data is public and some is private.
- Advantages: Flexible, balancing privacy and transparency.
- Representative projects: Dragonchain, IBM Blockchain.
2. Classification by function and level
- Layer 1 (base layer blockchain)
- Provides underlying infrastructure, such as consensus mechanisms and network architecture.
- Representative projects: Bitcoin (PoW), Ethereum (PoS), Solana (PoH).
- Layer 2 (scaling layer blockchain)
- Built on Layer 1, improving transaction speed and reducing costs.
- Representative solutions: Bitcoin Lightning Network, Ethereum Rollup (Arbitrum, Optimism).
2. Mainstream blockchain projects
1. Public Blockchain
- Bitcoin
- Positioning: The first decentralized digital currency, focusing on value storage and payment.
- Consensus mechanism: Proof of Work (PoW).
- Ethereum
- Positioning: Smart contract platform, supports DApps and DeFi ecosystem.
- Consensus mechanism: Transition to Proof of Stake (PoS).
- Binance Smart Chain (BSC)
- Positioning: High-performance chain compatible with EVM, focusing on DeFi and low-cost transactions.
- Consensus mechanism: Proof of Staked Authority (PoSA).
- Solana
- Positioning: High throughput chain, emphasizing fast transactions and low fees.
- Consensus mechanism: Proof of History (PoH) combined with Proof of Stake (PoS).
- Polkadot & Cosmos
- Positioning: Cross-chain protocol, solving blockchain interoperability issues.
2. Consortium Blockchain
- Hyperledger Fabric
- Features: Modular architecture, supports enterprise customized development, led by IBM.
- R3 Corda
- Features: Designed specifically for financial institutions, focusing on privacy and compliance.
3. Emerging trends
- Modular blockchain: e.g., Celestia (data availability layer).
- Privacy computing chain: e.g., Filecoin (storage), Zcash (anonymous transactions).
3. How to choose a blockchain type?
1. Requires complete decentralization → Choose public blockchain (e.g., Ethereum).
2. Enterprise collaboration scenarios → Consortium blockchain (e.g., Hyperledger Fabric).
3. Internal efficient management → Private blockchain or customized solutions.
4. Pursuit of high scalability → Layer 2 solutions or high-performance chains like Solana.
Summary
Blockchain technology continues to evolve, and classifications are gradually refined. Mainstream projects like Bitcoin and Ethereum dominate the public blockchain space, while consortium blockchains are widely used in enterprise scenarios. In the future, cross-chain interoperability, modular design, and privacy protection will be key development directions.