Blockchain-based Service Network

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Short description: Blockchain Technology


The Blockchain-based Service Network (BSN) is a non-cryptocurrency blockchain infrastructure that enables a distributed cloud environment within existing private or public clouds for mainstream businesses or institutions to build and manage distributed applications.[1] The BSN was founded in 2018 under the lead of the State Information Center of China, a government think tank under the National Development and Reform Commission, and was officially launched in 2019. Other founding members include China Mobile, China UnionPay, and Red Date Technology Limited.[2] The BSN’s primary function is to provide a set of DLT-based cloud environment software[3], supporting traditional cloud service providers, data centers, and businesses in setting up private or public[4] distributed networks and thus simplifying the adoption of blockchain technology for their users.[5][2]

On April 25, 2020[6], The Blockchain-based Service Network (BSN) was announced for commercial use, categorized into Chinese and International operations.[7] On June 29, 2022, the BSN-DDC Network surpassed Ethereum’s transaction volume (938,166 transactions) within a 24-hour period (974,517 transactions).[8] In September 2022, the BSN Spartan Network, the equivalent of BSN-DDC outside Mainland China, was officially launched in Hong Kong with initial adopters including HSBC, Prenetics, and FUJIFILM Business Innovation Hong Kong.[9]

Technology Stacks

The Blockchain-based Service Network functions as an infrastructure network rather than a standalone blockchain protocol, integrating dozens of independent blockchain frameworks.[10][11] The BSN establishes a foundational cloud environment supporting the deployment of distributed Multi-Party Systems, or Public IT Systems[12], which allows developers on these platforms to use shared computing resources rather than installing a full set of cloud services or computing infrastructure. [13][14]

The technology stack of the Blockchain-based Service Network includes both Enterprise BSN and Public BSN. The latter operates under two distinct governance frameworks for Mainland China and international users.  

The technology stack of the Blockchain-based Service Network (BSN)

Enterprise BSN

Enterprise BSN is an enterprise-level software platform integrated into public cloud, private cloud, or intranet for enterprises and institutions to embed a blockchain-based environment into their existing systems.[15] While traditional cloud environments handle centralized private IT systems, Enterprise BSN, working in parallel, manages distributed Multi-Party Systems or Public IT Systems to establish a private network where developers can design, deploy, and manage the lifecycle of blockchain applications.[16]

Enterprise BSN's environment can manage cross-cloud, cross-framework, and cross-application virtual machines and resources directly on top of OpenStack.[17] The platform integrates permissioned frameworks like Hyperledger Fabric and FISCO BCOS and public blockchains such as Ethereum and EOS as operating systems.[18]

Public BSN

BSN-DDC Network

The BSN-DDC comprises over ten Open Permissioned Blockchains (OPBs), adapted from public chain blueprints such as Ethereum to align with Chinese regulatory frameworks.[19] The network operates exclusively in Mainland China and adopts Distributed Digital Certificate technology, a “Chinese version of NFT,” as the certification and distributed database technology that can be applied in business or government scenarios where digital proof is required.[20] The data center software of the BSN-DDC Network mandates permissions and KYC procedures.[21] Examples include Xi'an Qujiang Cultural Tourism and Chongqing News's Shangyou News, both of which have established DDC platforms on the BSN-DDC Network to promote local culture and tourism industries.[22]

BSN-Spartan Network

The BSN Spartan Network is a public infrastructure network built on the BSN Spartan data centers, which functions as the gateway to the network and is open-source, free, and KYC-free[23][24], operating exclusively outside Mainland China[25]. The BSN Spartan Network integrates several Non-Cryptocurrency Public Chains (NC Chains), which are non-crypto hard forks derived from their original public chains.[2] The network is developed to support the adoption of blockchain for mainstream enterprises without exposure to the volatility and regulatory uncertainty of the cryptocurrency market.[26]

Bifurcated Operation

According to the United States–China Economic and Security Review Commission’s investigation, the BSN architecture is bifurcated between Chinese and international users.[1] BSN China operates under the guidance of the BSN Development Association (BSNDA), which is backed by Chinese government-linked entities and major state-owned enterprises [27]and uses cloud infrastructure from China Mobile, China Telecom, and Baidu AI Cloud[28]. The BSN Spartan Network functions independently under the BSN Foundation based in Singapore, and uses Amazon Web Services[18] and other commercial cloud service providers in Hong Kong, USA, and Europe[28]. In November 2023, five founding members of the BSN Foundation were  announced in Singapore: Blockdaemon, GFT Technologies, TOKO, Zeeve, and Red Date Technology, with membership from the USA, Europe, and Asia.[29] 

Despite the separation of the Chinese vs international businesses, BSN's Chinese origins have elicited apprehension from some in the global community.[30] These concerns are reminiscent of challenges faced by companies such as TikTok vs DouYin.[31] On Nov 8, 2023, a U.S. bill[32], titled the Creating Legal Accountability for Rogue Innovators and Technology (CLARITY) Act, proposed to outlaw federal agencies from using the Blockchain-based Service Network (BSN) and its IT infrastructure service Spartan Network, along with the tech provider Red Date Technology over national security and privacy concerns.[33]  

BSN Foundation member Red Date Technology responded to media requests for comment in a statement clarifying that BSN is a politically neutral, application-agnostic technology initiative. The Spartan Network is fully open source for code auditing and is under decentralized governance by the Singapore-based BSN Foundation. The Hong Kong-based Red Date Technology, a voting member of the Foundation, holds no special status.[26]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY'S ECONOMIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL AMBITIONS: SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY, NEW MOBILITY, CLOUD COMPUTING, AND DIGITAL CURRENCY". p. 200. https://www.uscc.gov/sites/default/files/2021-11/Chapter_2_Section_2--CCPs_Economic_and_Technological_Ambitions.pdf. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Kharpal, Arjun (2022-05-23). "China's state-backed blockchain company is set to launch its first major international project" (in en). https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/22/chinas-state-backed-blockchain-firm-to-launch-major-overseas-project.html. 
  3. Areddy, James T. (2021-05-11). "Beijing Tries to Put Its Imprint on Blockchain" (in en-US). Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. https://www.wsj.com/articles/beijing-tries-to-put-its-imprint-on-blockchain-11620735603. 
  4. "China's BSN predicted as long-term global project, still ahead of others" (in en). 2020-11-14. https://cointelegraph.com/news/china-s-bsn-predicted-as-long-term-global-project-still-ahead-of-others. 
  5. Bhimani, Alnoor; Hausken, Kjell; Arif, Sameen (2022-08-01). "Do national development factors affect cryptocurrency adoption?". Technological Forecasting and Social Change 181: 121739. doi:10.1016/j.techfore.2022.121739. ISSN 0040-1625. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0040162522002657. 
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  15. Gordon, David; Nouwens, Meia (2022-11-29) (in en). The Digital Silk Road: China's Technological Rise and the Geopolitics of Cyberspace. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-000-88520-0. https://books.google.com/books?id=gXqfEAAAQBAJ. 
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  17. Clohessy, Trevor (2023-02-24) (in en). Blockchain in Supply Chain Digital Transformation. CRC Press. ISBN 978-1-000-84420-7. https://books.google.com/books?id=IGqwEAAAQBAJ. 
  18. 18.0 18.1 "China May Have Banned Bitcoin, But Its Blockchain Ambitions May Help Other Nations Launch CBDCs". Nasdaq. 14 December 2023. https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/china-may-have-banned-bitcoin-but-its-blockchain-ambitions-may-help-other-nations-launch. 
  19. Feng, Coco (25 January 2022). "China introduces state-backed NFT platform unlinked to cryptocurrencies". South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3164681/china-introduces-state-backed-nft-platform-unlinked. 
  20. Ma, Winston; Huang, Ken (2022-08-19) (in en). Blockchain and Web3: Building the Cryptocurrency, Privacy, and Security Foundations of the Metaverse. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-1-119-89110-9. https://books.google.com/books?id=v5SDEAAAQBAJ&q=BSN+Open+Permissioned+Blockchains. 
  21. Harsono, Hugh (2022). "The Utilization of Web3 Native Resources to Create a Centralized Base of Authoritarian Power". Journal of International Affairs 75 (1): 153–168. ISSN 0022-197X. https://www.jstor.org/stable/27203126. 
  22. "中办国办印发《"十四五"文化发展规划》丨数字艺术每周观察(8.22) - 21财经" (in zh). 26 August 2022. https://m.21jingji.com/article/20220826/herald/8b9a660225daf30be6d79d9bdbb2184c.html. 
  23. Shen, Xinmei (6 September 2022). "China's state-backed architect of non-crypto blockchain makes first major push outside mainland". South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3191553/chinas-state-backed-architect-non-crypto-blockchain-makes-first. 
  24. Lam, Sheila (2022-10-10). "Can BSN Spartan Network Reignite Public Blockchain Interest?" (in en). https://www.cdotrends.com/story/17422/can-bsn-spartan-network-reignite-public-blockchain-interest. 
  25. "China-Backed Crypto Guru Wants to Unify World's Blockchains" (in en). Bloomberg.com. 2020-07-26. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-07-26/china-backed-crypto-guru-wants-to-unify-the-world-s-blockchains. 
  26. 26.0 26.1 "US lawmakers target Chinese blockchains in Web3 decoupling push" (in en). 2023-11-09. https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/3240921/us-lawmakers-target-chinese-blockchains-bsn-conflux-bill-brings-tech-decoupling-web3. 
  27. V.S, Anoop; S, Asharaf; Goldston, Justin; Williams, Samson (2022-12-23) (in en). Blockchain for Industry 4.0: Blockchain for Industry 4.0: Emergence, Challenges, and Opportunities. CRC Press. ISBN 978-1-000-81244-2. https://books.google.com/books?id=h3qfEAAAQBAJ. 
  28. 28.0 28.1 "Knowledge Base: Blockchain-based Service Network (BSN, 区块链服务网络)" (in en). 2 July 2021. https://digichina.stanford.edu/work/knowledge-base-blockchain-based-service-network-bsn-%E5%8C%BA%E5%9D%97%E9%93%BE%E6%9C%8D%E5%8A%A1%E7%BD%91%E7%BB%9C/. 
  29. "Blockchain Infrastructure Organization BSN Foundation Officially Established in Singapore" (in en). https://www.binance.com/en/feed/post/2023-11-16-blockchain-infrastructure-organization-bsn-foundation-officially-established-in-singapore-1789024. 
  30. Ekman, Alice. "CHINA'S BLOCKCHAIN AND CRYPTOCURRENCY AMBITIONS". https://www.iss.europa.eu/sites/default/files/EUISSFiles/Brief_15_2021.pdf. 
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  32. Nunn, Zach. "A Bill". https://nunn.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/nunn.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/clarity-act.vf_.pdf. 
  33. "Nunn Introduces Bipartisan Legislation To Combat Critical Chinese National Security Threat | Representative Nunn" (in en). 2023-11-08. http://nunn.house.gov/media/press-releases/nunn-introduces-bipartisan-legislation-combat-critical-chinese-national.