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.

Hedera Hashgraph is a blockchain network that was designed to allow developers to create DApps that require higher throughput and faster settlement. Hedera uses its own consensus protocol that assigns every transaction a consensus time that is calculated as the median of the times at which each node in the network first received it. The network is powered by the HBAR coin.

Kadena is a software development company that builds blockchain-based platforms for a range of businesses. They develop purpose-built blockchain solutions for their clients by using proprietary solutions that are aimed at being both secure and scalable. Kadena offers both private and public blockchain platforms, with smart contracts written in the Pact programming language. They've also developed an innovative proof-of-work architecture called ChainWeb that could have a variety of applications.
Kadena's founders have experience working for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and JPMorgan Chase Bank. The company has raised significant funding and is well positioned to be play a big role in developing future blockchain solutions for large financial institutions.