Hong Kong-based crypto exchange OKEx has announced that it is working on the development of its own  Blockchain  Blockchain Blockchain comprises a digital network of blocks with a comprehensive ledger of transactions made in a cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin or other altcoins.One of the signature features of blockchain is that it is maintained across more than one computer. The ledger can be public or private (permissioned.) In this sense, blockchain is immune to the manipulation of data making it not only open but verifiable. Because a blockchain is stored across a network of computers, it is very difficult to tamper with. The Evolution of BlockchainBlockchain was originally invented by an individual or group of people under the name of Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008. The purpose of blockchain was originally to serve as the public transaction ledger of Bitcoin, the world’s first cryptocurrency.In particular, bundles of transaction data, called “blocks”, are added to the ledger in a chronological fashion, forming a “chain.” These blocks include things like date, time, dollar amount, and (in some cases) the public addresses of the sender and the receiver.The computers responsible for upholding a blockchain network are called “nodes.” These nodes carry out the duties necessary to confirm the transactions and add them to the ledger. In exchange for their work, the nodes receive rewards in the form of crypto tokens.By storing data via a peer-to-peer network (P2P), blockchain controls for a wide range of risks that are traditionally inherent with data being held centrally.Of note, P2P blockchain networks lack centralized points of vulnerability. Consequently, hackers cannot exploit these networks via normalized means nor does the network possess a central failure point.In order to hack or alter a blockchain’s ledger, more than half of the nodes must be compromised. Looking ahead, blockchain technology is an area of extensive research across multiple industries, including financial services and payments, among others. Blockchain comprises a digital network of blocks with a comprehensive ledger of transactions made in a cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin or other altcoins.One of the signature features of blockchain is that it is maintained across more than one computer. The ledger can be public or private (permissioned.) In this sense, blockchain is immune to the manipulation of data making it not only open but verifiable. Because a blockchain is stored across a network of computers, it is very difficult to tamper with. The Evolution of BlockchainBlockchain was originally invented by an individual or group of people under the name of Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008. The purpose of blockchain was originally to serve as the public transaction ledger of Bitcoin, the world’s first cryptocurrency.In particular, bundles of transaction data, called “blocks”, are added to the ledger in a chronological fashion, forming a “chain.” These blocks include things like date, time, dollar amount, and (in some cases) the public addresses of the sender and the receiver.The computers responsible for upholding a blockchain network are called “nodes.” These nodes carry out the duties necessary to confirm the transactions and add them to the ledger. In exchange for their work, the nodes receive rewards in the form of crypto tokens.By storing data via a peer-to-peer network (P2P), blockchain controls for a wide range of risks that are traditionally inherent with data being held centrally.Of note, P2P blockchain networks lack centralized points of vulnerability. Consequently, hackers cannot exploit these networks via normalized means nor does the network possess a central failure point.In order to hack or alter a blockchain’s ledger, more than half of the nodes must be compromised. Looking ahead, blockchain technology is an area of extensive research across multiple industries, including financial services and payments, among others. Read this Term and a decentralized exchange.

Dubbed as OKChain, the native blockchain of the exchange will work as the backbone of the upcoming decentralized exchange. According to the March 22 official announcement, the blockchain is already in its final development stage.

? More good news on this special day after the announcement of our #IEO platform #OKJumpstart ?! We'll be launching: - Our own #blockchain #OKChain ⛓ - Our first #DEX decentralized exchange #OKDEx ✨ Read more: https://t.co/6J5BaqY57u pic.twitter.com/EZgmtPugqp

— OKEx (@OKEx) March 22, 2019

In addition, OKEx is planning to launch the testnet of the decentralized network in the coming June.

“Currently, the OKChain is at the final development stage and we expect to launch it on a testnet in June 2019,” the announcement stated.

Moreover, the Hong Kong-based exchange has decided to migrate its native utility-token OKB on ERC-20 blockchain by the end of April and will again move the token to its native blockchain, once it is stable.

“Due to a large number of users calling for OKB to be put on the blockchain, after considerations, our team has decided to put it onto the ERC-20 blockchain first by the end of April. When the OKChain becomes stable, OKB will be migrated from the ERC-20 network to the OKChain  Mainnet  Mainnet A mainnnet is a term to describe the primary blockchain network that a cryptocurrency project will operate. The mainnet reflects the final product or stage of a cryptocurrency project that can be accessed and used by the general public. This means that cryptocurrency transactions are being broadcasted, verified, and recorded on blockchain.In contrast to mainnet networks exists testnets, which describe the state during which a blockchain protocol or network is not yet up and running on its full capacity. A testnet is used by programmers and developers to test and troubleshoot all aspects and features of a blockchain network before they are sure the system is secure and ready for the mainnet launch.How ICOs Help Sculpt the MainnetPrior to the mainnet of a blockchain is launched, project’s team will install an Initial Coin Offering (ICO), Initial Exchange Offering (IEO), or other strategies to help levy funds and grow community support. Traditionally, collected funds injected into the project in a bid to develop the prototypes of the blockchain network that are then tested during the testnet phase. Migration onto the mainnet from the testnet is an act that must be undertaken with great care. Errors in this process can result in a partial or complete loss of funds from the network.The eventual mainnet launch is a key milestone in a cryptocurrency’s lifecycle. The launch of the mainnet signifies the moment that a cryptocurrency network is ready to begin acting as a system of value transmission, and has the potential to grow its adoption.Some of the most significant mainnet launches that occurred in 2018 include the Tron network and the EOS network. A mainnnet is a term to describe the primary blockchain network that a cryptocurrency project will operate. The mainnet reflects the final product or stage of a cryptocurrency project that can be accessed and used by the general public. This means that cryptocurrency transactions are being broadcasted, verified, and recorded on blockchain.In contrast to mainnet networks exists testnets, which describe the state during which a blockchain protocol or network is not yet up and running on its full capacity. A testnet is used by programmers and developers to test and troubleshoot all aspects and features of a blockchain network before they are sure the system is secure and ready for the mainnet launch.How ICOs Help Sculpt the MainnetPrior to the mainnet of a blockchain is launched, project’s team will install an Initial Coin Offering (ICO), Initial Exchange Offering (IEO), or other strategies to help levy funds and grow community support. Traditionally, collected funds injected into the project in a bid to develop the prototypes of the blockchain network that are then tested during the testnet phase. Migration onto the mainnet from the testnet is an act that must be undertaken with great care. Errors in this process can result in a partial or complete loss of funds from the network.The eventual mainnet launch is a key milestone in a cryptocurrency’s lifecycle. The launch of the mainnet signifies the moment that a cryptocurrency network is ready to begin acting as a system of value transmission, and has the potential to grow its adoption.Some of the most significant mainnet launches that occurred in 2018 include the Tron network and the EOS network. Read this Term,” the exchange outlined.

The cryptocurrency exchange will also make OKB token as the native token of the new blockchain.

“OKB will be the native token of the OKChain network, which can be used to settle transaction fees, or used in the Dapps developed on OKChain,” the notification added.

Decentralized Exchange is Becoming the New Norm

OKEx's shift towards decentralized exchange surfaced after its market rival Binance jumped into the sector. Binance has already launched the testnet of its decentralized exchange last month and after taking client’s feedback, the exchange will decide whether it will run the DEX parallel to the existing exchange or make it the sole one.

Last December, OKEx launched a cryptocurrency derivative platform called Perpetual Swap which works similar to the futures contracts but without any expiry date.