Blockchain Platforms and Applications

This unit explores major blockchain platforms, their ecosystems, and practical applications across public and permissioned networks. Students will configure development environments, deploy basic smart contracts and tokens, and analyze real-world use cases and security considerations to inform platform selection.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the architecture and consensus mechanisms of Ethereum, Cardano (Ouroboros), Polkadot, Solana, and Hyperledger to compare their strengths and limitations for selected enterprise scenarios
• Apply platform-specific developer tools and cloud services (e.g., Azure, IBM Bluemix) to set up nodes, deploy testnets, and operate sandbox environments for blockchain development
• Demonstrate the creation and deployment of basic smart contracts, tokens (e.g., ADA, ERC standards), and a simple DAO on at least one public chain and one permissioned framework
• Evaluate security risks, common misconceptions, and industry applications (finance, mortgages, IoT, smart cities) to recommend appropriate platform choices and mitigation strategies