Cosmos is a cross-chain protocol that is working to establish a standardized way for blockchains to inter-operate. It has been called the internet of blocchains. Cosmos is building a standardized protocol for multiple blockchains to operate freely together, and allow transfers of value between them. Cosmos is made up of a network of blocckhains called zones. Each of these zones will be powered by a the Tendermint consensus protocol. Cosmos will act as a hub, that ties the zones together and manages their coordination. The Cosomos token called ATOM was released in an ICO that raised $53 million, but it will not be traded until the platform is launched.

ArcBlock is creating a blockchain ecosystem for building decentralized applications. Their goal is to provide consumers with the framework and tools to use decentralized apps as easily as current web-based versions. ArcBlock was founded by Robert Mao and Flavien Charlton, who also created Colored Coins, Open Assets Protocol and Openchain.
ArcBlock's Open Chain Access Protocol gives developers an abstract layer for using underlying blockchains. It has a serverless computing architecture that supports various types of applications. ArcBlock is based on the Blocknet application protocol that executes smart contracts and can access external data sources. Blocknet's design and open chain access protocol provide a layer for accessing multiple blockchains.

Aelf calls itself a decentralized self-evolving cloud computing network. It is a blockchain operating system that can be customized for development needs. AElf hopes to improve upon current blockchain platforms by emphasizing their unique governance system and sidechain architecture.
AElf's most important feature is its multilayer sidechains and mainchains that can be used for a variety of purposes. Each chain is dedicated to a single use case, and tasks can be distributed more efficiently across multiple chains.
AElf enables cross-chain exchanges of value and has a cross-chain messaging functionality that works with other blockchains, including Bitcoin and Ethereum. Aelf enables parallel processing of transactions that promises to improve performance.
AElf users can create private chains that operate in a similar way to the Amazon's cloud hosting service, allowing developers to utilize the private chain modules to maintain full ownership of their DApps on the Aelf computing network.
Aelf has a Delegated Proof-of-Stake consensus mechanism (dPoS). ELF token holders vote on the nodes that will become mining nodes. Those elected nodes then decide how mining incentives are distributed among stakeholders and other nodes. The number of miners on the network is equal to 2N plus 1, with N beginning at 8 and increasing by 1 every year. Miining nodes relay and confirm transactions, transfer data, and package blocks.
The ELF token is also used as a mechanism for the sidechains to be indexed on the mainchain. These indexing fees vary depending on how much the sidechains contribute to the overall ecosystem.