NEAR Protocol is a decentralized application platform designed to make DApps operable on the web. The NEAR network uses a Proof of Stake consensus mechanism called Nightshade. The NEAR utility token is used for processing transactions and storing data, as well as for facilitating voting for governance issues.
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Cryptaur is a Lithuanian company that is buildingg an Ethereum based payment and DApp development network. Cryptaur does not appear to have any distinct advantages over other decentralized networks. Cryptaur has plans to create a social capital management system that will be based on their Proof of Contribution algorithm.

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.