Blockchain as a Service

Chapter 5. Current BaaS Offerings

This chapter is intended to help you compare BaaS providers. It is focused specifically on BaaS offerings, which include at least one underlying blockchain platform like Ethereum or Hyperledger Fabric, as well as a complete turnkey package of architecture, infrastructure, security, and other services that support and enhance the capabilities of the blockchain platform.

Three Approaches to Blockchain

As we mentioned in Chapter 2, there are three primary approaches for implementing a blockchain network:

• By implementing a blockchain platform (like making a cake from scratch)

• By implementing a BaaS (like using a cake mix and shared equipment)

• By using SaaS with blockchain (like buying a slice of cake already made)

When using a BaaS, you are also “renting” most of the equipment and the services of the behind-the-scenes experts involved to make that equipment run.

The Big Four BaaS Providers

IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, and AWS are the leaders in the BaaS space. Each of these providers offers easy point-and-click cloud services that can be activated with a credit card. Some offer free trials and other try-and-buy promotions.

If you’re already using one of these providers for other business applications, you might consider using their BaaS. This helps ease integrating other services into your blockchain workflow, and enables you to manage the blockchain platform using a familiar, integrated administration interface. Also, support options are ...