As mentioned in a previous post, BitClave is actively exploring alternative solutions to building the BitClave Active Search Ecosystem. The vision for BASE is a fully decentralized, blockchain-based search platform where users and businesses can connect directly. This means utilizing enormous amounts of data, from both the user and business sides. While the present technology available to BitClave does not hold any transaction volume challenges, BitClave’s estimated growth represents the possibility to outgrow many of the current blockchain solutions can offer.

Storing and Transacting

The size demands come primarily in two capacities: storing user information, and transacting with the smart-contract enabled search engine. BitClave is building a fully decentralized ecosystem in order to best protect the data users generate on the platform, and a system like IPFS makes that possible. This, however, does not address the transaction volume BASE would require for smooth operation.

Built on the Ethereum blockchain, BASE benefits from the constant development the Ethereum Foundation pours into their platform. Upgrades like Homestead and Metropolis advance the capabilities of the Ethereum Virtual Machine, and the latest announcement regarding Plasma holds significant promise as a scaling solution.

Quantum Leap

In order to deliver the most powerful product to our users, while meeting timeline targets, BitClave is actively exploring alternatives to the current architecture. As BASE will be handling thousands (and eventually millions) of B2C interactions, having a stable, powerful foundation is a key point for the development team. One appealing option is the enterprise-focused blockchain developed by Qtum. Built on a fork of the Bitcoin core protocol, Qtum allows for interacting with a variety of virtual machines, notably the Ethereum Virtual Machine. This means that Qtum effectively combines the power and simplicity of the Bitcoin protocol with the flexibility of Ethereum’s smart contracts.

What makes Qtum a viable option for enterprise-level blockchain applications, like BitClave’s Active Search Ecosystem, is the ability to use Proof of Stake as a consensus mechanism. Though Proof of Work is a tested, successful means of reaching consensus, the more the network is used, the higher the volume of transactions, the more energy required to achieve true consensus. Proof of Stake represents an opportunity to build blockchain solutions capable of handling a higher transaction throughput, ideal for businesses and high-activity ecosystems like BASE.