About this Constellation ShortList™
Blockchain remains operationally and conceptually complex, and its cor- rect application is as difficult as ever. The past 18 months have seen fresh excitement around new use case classes such as Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) balanced by some major setbacks. The Australian stock market operator ASX delayed its blockchain settlement system for a fourth time, Microsoft retired the Azure Blockchain, and Facebook Libra collapsed.
Good blockchain use case remain rare. The best non-cryptocurrency applications are specialist financial instruments, complex technical supply chains, and some aspects of decentralized digital identity. These have shown efficiency dividends, transparency, and faster dispute resolution for real cost savings.
Visions for NFTs, DIDs and Web3 are largely ideological: blockchain does enable certain data management to go without central mediation, and this type of disruption appeals to some communities. But extreme de- centralization is not feasible in most enterprises, and hybrid systems (such as assets tokenization and tracking on a blockchain) often break the decentral- ization spell, by retaining single points of failure and trusted management roles.
We expect the most blockchain R&D to come will be in Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) which may need new permissioned blockchain within regulated schemes where decentralization is restrained.
Enterprise customers should beware of blockchain startups and faddish new use cases. The big blockchain labs and managed services are better resourced for dependable analysis, solutions development and operations in this fast-moving field.
This Constellation ShortList presents the services, consultancies and R&D labs best able to help enterprises evaluate and adopt blockchain re- sponsibly.
Threshold Criteria
Constellation considers the following criteria for these solutions:
- Longevity
- Deep skills in computer science, security and systems integration
- Proven track record in business applications
- Human resources and capital backing
- Realistic, practical objectives for these technologies; well explained
- Community engagement, research integrity and commitment to standards
The Constellation ShortList™
Constellation evaluates more than 20 solutions categorized in this market. This Constellation ShortList is determined by client inquiries, partner conversations, customer references, vendor selection projects, market share and internal research.
- HEDERA HASHGRAPH
- IBM
- INFOSYS
- MEDILEDGER
- R3
Frequency of Evaluation
Each Constellation ShortList is updated at least once per year. Updates may occur after six months if deemed necessary.
Evaluation Services
Constellation clients can work with the analyst and the research team to conduct a more thorough discussion of this ShortList. Constellation can also provide guidance in vendor selection and contract negotiation.