0x (ZRX) (pronounced “zero-ex”) is described in its white paper as “an open protocol for decentralized exchange on the Ethereum blockchain”.  Designed for those looking to trade ERC20 tokens, 0x enables trustless transactions and creates shared liquidity on the Ethereum network. 0x users can trade directly with known counterparties for free or use the protocol’s…

Aeternity (AE)—pronounced eternity—is a distributed blockchain platform that features smart contracts for the creation and management of decentralized applications (DApps). The Aeternity network has its own native cryptocurrency token, Aeon (AE), which had a successful ICO in 2017. According to the official Aeternity website, “Aeternity is a new blockchain technology, designed to deliver unmatched efficiency,…

Lisk is a blockchain application platform designed to provide developers with easy to use tools with which to build and maintain their own decentralized applications (DApps). Based on the Lisk blockchain network and LSK tokens, Lisk users can create and distribute their own modular sidechains that act as fully independent and customizable blockchains, including support…

“Unbank the Banked” is the official slogan of OmiseGO, an open-source blockchain system designed as an open payment platform and decentralized exchange. As the slogan would suggest, OmiseGO is being developed as a direct competitor to traditional banking services. The project is ambitious, but if its goals are achieved, OmiseGO claims it will provide superior…

Consensus is one of the most important concepts in cryptocurrencies and their underlying technologies. Blockchain networks are maintained by miners who typically verify transactions through consensus algorithms, while changes and upgrades to the network are also decided by consensus among users, developers and miners. But what happens when network consensus isn’t reached? We’ll examine an…

Dash is, like many other cryptocurrencies, an open source peer-to-peer transaction system. Building from that, Dash offers users an instant, private, and secure means of transaction both online and in-person. The mission of Dash is simple, to be a user-friendly transaction network that is suitable for mass adoption and provides scalability. Here’s what we’ll go…

Ripple is a distributed open source internet protocol that facilitates a real-time gross settlement system (RTGS), currency exchange, and remittance network. Ripple is most often used by banks and other financial institutions to fortify their operational infrastructure. According to the Ripple website, they are the world’s only enterprise blockchain solution for global payments. The name…

Boasting security and privacy, including untraceable transactions, Monero (XMR) is among the most popular and controversial cryptocurrencies in an increasingly saturated market. Like other cryptocurrencies, Monero features an open-source blockchain that records transactions and creates new units through mining. What sets Monero apart is its opaque blockchain, which prevents transactions and their amounts from being…