Chain is a blockchain software company that creates blockchain-based systems for financial institutions and major companies. They've developed blockchain solutions for companies like Nasdaq, Visa, and Citigroup, as well as a variety of crytpocurrencies. Chain has been successful in incorporating distributed ledger technology in very large and influential companies. Their focus is on using the core innovations of blockchain to improve existing systems. Chain uses blockchain as a software tool that can be applied where it is important for services or product to have more trust, or to build a network without an intermediary

QuarkChain is building a blockchain with a focus on speed and scalability. They hope to significantly improve transaction times and reduce fees with an architecture that will rely on a two-layered blockchain and elastic sharding. QuarkChain uses a hybrid Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus mechanism that is ASIC-resistant. Transactions are first confirmed on one blockchain layer, and then on the second. The network will be powered by the QKC coin.

ChainLink is developing the LINK Network, which will enable connected smart contracts. LINK will provide smart contracts with a variety of external data and access to APIs. ChainLink's goal is to solve the connectivity problem that plagues smart contract based systems, and discourages mass adoption. Many decentralized applications are unable to connect with important external data sources due to limitations involving their consensus protocols. The LINK network wants to connect their smart contracts with external systems and APIs by using secure middleware.