Amazon: surging interest in Blockchain platform

Amazon.com wants to make it easier for developers to create projects based on the blockchain technology underlying bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

Amazon Web Services have recently launched a new foray into the world of distributed ledger technology, announcing the release of AWS Blockchain Templates for Ethereum and Hyperledger Fabric. The new blockchain templates will make it possible for users to build their own blockchain networks quickly and easily.

The launch was announced via the AWS blog on the 19th of April, heralding the web services giant’s first significant sortie into the blockchain ecosystem. Jeff Barr, the Chief Evangelist for AWS, posted a lengthy explanation via the AWS news blog detailing the specifics of the new service:

“We are launching AWS Blockchain Templates today. These templates will let you launch an Ethereum (either public or private) or Hyperledger Fabric (private) network in a matter of minutes and with just a few clicks. The templates create and configure all of the AWS resources needed to get you going in a robust and scalable fashion.”

This is Amazon’s latest move into blockchain, but the company has been interested in the emerging technology for some time. Last month, the company announced a new partnership with Luxoft Holding. Luxoft and five other consulting firms are working together to roll out blockchain solutions that can operate on AWS.

“Blockchain is about removing data silos, improving trust and operational efficiencies,” said Luxoft’s vice president of technology strategy Vasiliy Suvorov. “By using AWS to deploy and integrate DLTs into day-to-day processes, businesses can revolutionize how they operate.”

In related news, a survey completed by LendEDU last month found that more than half of Amazon users said they would consider using an Amazon-built cryptocurrency on the site. Amazon Prime members were even more eager, with 58.3% in favor and only 21.9% opposed.

Blockchain eliminates the need for a third-party intermediary, such as a bank, by quickly creating a permanent, secure record of transactions.

Start-ups and major corporations alike are working to apply the technology to supply-chain management, financial services, property records and many other industries. Bitcoin is the first application of blockchain.

IBM, which also has a cloud computing service, is one of the leaders in enterprise blockchain development. The company reported $5.5 billion in revenue from cloud in the fourth quarter of last year.

For the same quarter, Amazon reported $5.1 billion in revenue from AWS. Jeff Bezos’ company is set to report earnings Thursday, April 26.