Microsoft's first fully supported foray into the world of blockchain technology, the Azure Blockchain as a Service, is set for closure in September 2021. Microsoft confirmed that existing deployments on the Azure Blockchain will continue to receive support until that date, but as of May 10, 2021, the blockchain is no longer accepting new projects or submissions.
Microsoft Shuts Down Azure Blockchain Project
As per the official Microsoft Azure Blockchain Migration guide:
On September 10, 2021, Azure Blockchain will be retired. Please migrate ledger data from Azure Blockchain Service to an alternative offering based on your development status in production or evaluation.
It is very much time to act right now, given that there are only five months between the announcement and the official switch-off date. The official migration guide, linked above, includes detailed explanations as to how existing Azure Blockchain Service deployments can switch to an alternative blockchain.
For now, Microsoft suggests switching existing Azure Blockchain deployments to the ConsenSys Quorum Blockchain Service (formerly owned by JP Morgan), another enterprise-level blockchain with similar features.
The Azure Blockchain Service differs from more commonly known blockchains such as Bitcoin or Ethereum in that it is primarily used for infrastructure management, governance, and control.
By and large, enterprise blockchains and enterprise blockchain deployments do not follow the same public blockchain ethos as regular cryptocurrencies. Instead, the enterprise blockchain is an internal tool. These internal blockchains are sometimes known as "permissioned blockchains," meaning that a single company or entity has complete control over the network and any block transactions taking place.
Why Is the Microsoft Azure Blockchain Service Shutting Down?
At the current time, there is no official statement from Microsoft regarding its Azure Blockchain Service shutdown. However, there is some speculation that there is simply not enough uptake to warrant keeping the Azure Blockchain Service up and running.
Azure Blockchain was developed and launched during the whirlwind of blockchain activity during 2015 and 2016 when speculation that organizations would jump ship to blockchain technology fuelled endless new projects and exciting developments.
However, half a decade on, and while the cryptocurrency side of blockchain technology is booming, enterprise blockchain uptake remains slow (despite other companies actively developing within the space).
For others, Microsoft is simply getting out of the blockchain game too early. Like most things blockchain and cryptocurrency, looking at the bigger picture usually delivers larger profits and greater rewards, yet Microsoft is departing the train at the next platform.
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