Hyperledger Fabric is an open-source enterprise-grade permissioned blockchain framework powering the IBM Blockchain Platform. It is part of the Hyperledger Project started by the Linux Foundation. Unlike public blockchains like Ethereum or Bitcoin, which allow anyone to participate and view transactions, Hyperledger Fabric is designed to support the privacy and confidentiality needed by businesses around the world.
Access controls restrict who can use the blockchain. Participants need to disclose their real-world identities to be given permission to interact with Hyperledger Fabric.
Hyperledger Fabric’s modular architecture allows developers to plug in their preferred components to meet their specific needs. For instance, developers can choose a consensus mechanism that best suits an enterprise's requirements.
Fabric uses channels to allow groups of participants to transact with each other in private. This allows transactions to be kept private between the involved parties. This is particularly important for businesses that need to protect confidential data.
Smart contracts, also known as chaincode, are written in general-purpose programming languages like Java or Go. This allows developers to code without needing to learn a new language.
Given its versatile and secure architecture, Hyperledger Fabric is used in various industries, including finance, healthcare, supply chains, and even government operations.
Supply Chain Management
Companies can use Fabric to trace the origin and status of products across a supply chain in real time.
Healthcare
Medical institutions can store and share patient records with better coordination and accessibility among the parties.
Financial Services
Fabric can streamline and reduce the costs of financial transactions such as cross-border payments.
Overall, Hyperledger Fabric’s focus on privacy, security, and modularity makes it an ideal choice for companies who want to use the power of blockchain technology for their operations while maintaining strict control over their information and transactions.