Blockchain
San Francisco-based Web3 developer hub Ankr has officially launched Enterprise Remote Procedure Call (RPC) services on Microsoft’s Azure Marketplace, after announcing their partnership in February this year.
The service aims to provide Azure’s massive customer base with globally accessible low-latency blockchain connections to help them with their Web3 project and application development.
Notably, Ankr’s AppChains, a solution that enables enterprises to deploy dedicated, customizable blockchains, will also be made available on the Azure Marketplace. The first offer includes the deployment of Polygon Supernets with a promise of more blockchain ecosystem choices in the near future.
“Through this collaboration, we abstract what often hinders the seamless testing, deployment, and scaling of Web3 projects,” said Daniel An, Microsoft’s Director of Business Development.
AppChains have been part of the Ankr product range for a year now. These scalable, application-specific blockchains facilitate decentralized app development and project execution for Web3 organizations. Their popularity among traditional enterprises has grown significantly due to their versatile application potential for banks, institutional clients, CBDCs, gaming and more.
By offering AppChains through the Azure Marketplace, enterprises have a vetted and trusted platform to explore and adopt this new technology. Ankr’s AppChains aim to overcome significant hurdles facing enterprises, such as scalability, user experience, and the cost of hiring new Web3 tech talent.
AppChains provide fast and affordable transactions, seamless user experiences, regulatory compliance, and comprehensive technical support. These benefits can transition to Web3 for many companies interested in the digital asset space.
Peter Stewart, Head of Infrastructure at Anchor, touting the partnership with Microsoft and highlighting their anticipation of increased demand following the launch of Azure Marketplace. At the same time, Kev Silk, Ankr AppChains Lead, underlined Ankr’s commitment to facilitating Web3 accessibility for large companies through this enterprise-grade chain solution.
“Under Microsoft’s guidance, we will continue to innovate and improve based on user feedback and performance metrics. This partnership has been remarkable and we are excited about the future of our Enterprise RPC service,” shared Stewart.
As an all-in-one Web3 developer hub, Ankr offers a comprehensive toolkit to build Web3 apps and establish powerful connections to over 30 blockchains. Ankr is an approved infrastructure partner for building application-specific blockchains on ecosystems such as the BNB Smart Chain, Polygon, and Avalanche.
According to 2022 data, Microsoft Azure is the second largest cloud service provider in the world, with a market share of approximately 20%. Analysts predict that global revenue from blockchain technology is expected to reach $23.3 billion by 2024. Given this context, the partnership between Ankr and Microsoft could be an important step towards meeting this emerging demand.
The partnership between Ankr and Microsoft Azure represents an important development in Web3’s expansion and highlights the increasing importance of a reliable infrastructure in driving its growth. By facilitating the rapid deployment of custom blockchains and providing scalable connections to more than 30 blockchain networks, this partnership could catalyze the widespread adoption of Web3 technologies.
Building a Web3 infrastructure is akin to creating the foundational pillars of the next-generation Internet. It provides the necessary foundation for decentralized applications (dApps) and platforms to run smoothly. This not only improves performance, but also allows these platforms to effectively maintain the decentralized ethos at the heart of the Web3 vision.
What’s next for Ankr and Microsoft Azure?
Microsoft Azure’s involvement in this endeavor is remarkable. As one of the leading cloud service providers, Azure brings extensive expertise in facilitating scalable, reliable and secure cloud solutions for various applications. The entry into the Web3 infrastructure space underscores the intersection of traditional technology giants with the burgeoning field of blockchain technology.
In terms of wider implications, the Ankr-Microsoft partnership is an excellent example of how cloud services can drive Web3’s growth. Cloud computing, with its inherent flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, provides an ideal environment for developing and deploying dApps, smart contracts, and other blockchain-powered applications.
The synergy of cloud computing and blockchain could even serve as a catalyst for new business models and applications in the Web3 space. For example, decentralized data storage and management, enhanced digital identity solutions, and streamlined supply chain systems are among the many possible applications of a blockchain cloud merger.
Microsoft Azure, with its robust cloud infrastructure, has a history of promoting such innovations. The platform’s as-a-service offerings — including Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) — already have multiple industries dislocated. Extending these capabilities into Web3 infrastructure development enables Azure to unlock new frontiers in the decentralized technology landscape.
The integration of Ankr’s Enterprise RPC services and AppChains into Azure Marketplace is therefore not only an important step in Development of the Web3 infrastructure but also demonstrates the potential of cloud services to accelerate Web3’s growth. As enterprises around the world increasingly recognize the potential of blockchain technology, collaborations like this are likely to become more prominent and shape the evolution of the internet as we know it. Partnerships such as Ankr and Microsoft Azure represent a critical step in this direction, combining the flexibility of cloud services with the transformative potential of blockchain technology.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial or other advice.