Blockstream is a private, for profit, blockchain technology company, that has played a key role in helping to develop, and fund, many of the key features of the Bitcoin Core platform. Blockstream is focused on developing bitcoin applications and has raised significant funding from several large investment funds. The company also employs several developers that are very influential within the Bitcoin Core development project. This, as well as being of Bitcoin's largest donors, has led to some criticism about conflicts of interest.
Blockstream is developing a number of Bitcoin applications that are intended to encourage adoption and improve transaction times on the bitcoin network. Their primary focus is on Sidechains, which are are extensions to existing blockchains that improve their functionality. The company is also working closely with industry leaders to create the Bitcoin Lightning system that will support higher trading volume and faster transactions on the bitcoin network. Blockstream is also developing a data feed, satellite network, and other applications that they hope will make blockchain more accessible.

APIS is developing a masternode mediation platform that will lower the barriers of entry for users wanting invest their coins on their own masternode of a network. A masternode is a type of node that has additional voting influence and block rewards, on a Proof-of-Stake network. Investors are able to place coins on a masternode and receive a stable interest from the block rewards; similar to interest that is given in a bank. APIS will allow users to invest in masternodes without having to deal with the technical requirements or stake a prohibitively large number of coins.
Their network is powered by the Ethereum-based APIS token.