Hyperledger

Hyperledger is an open-source collaborative project hosted by the Linux Foundation to advance cross-industry blockchain technologies. It functions as a neutral umbrella for developing enterprise-grade distributed ledger frameworks and tools, emphasizing modularity, privacy, and interoperability.

The Hyperledger umbrella encompasses multiple projects developed by a global community of companies, researchers, and individuals. It is vendor-neutral and aims to avoid reliance on a single vendor; governance is project-specific, with maintainers and contributors guiding development, and the Linux Foundation providing coordination and oversight. Membership includes technology providers, financial institutions, and academic partners.

Major projects include Hyperledger Fabric, a permissioned blockchain framework with a modular architecture and channels for private data; Hyperledger Sawtooth, a modular platform with pluggable consensus; Hyperledger Indy, a distributed ledger purpose-built for decentralized identity; Hyperledger Iroha, a simple, mobile-friendly blockchain; Hyperledger Burrow, a smart contract machine compatible with Ethereum; Hyperledger Aries, a collection of decentralized identity tools; Hyperledger Besu, an Ethereum client for enterprise use.

These projects share goals: permissioned ledgers for enterprises, privacy controls, auditable data sharing, and flexible governance. They serve use cases in supply chains, finance, identity, and asset management.

History: Hyperledger began in 2016 as a Linux Foundation initiative to unify disparate blockchain projects and promote interoperability. It has grown through partnerships with industry leaders and academic institutions, and remains focused on open standards and collaborative development.