What is Hyperledger Fabric?
The flexible blockchain framework behind the IBM Blockchain Platform is helping innovators ignite a global business transformation.
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What is Hyperledger Fabric?

Hyperledger Fabric, an open source project from the Linux Foundation, is the modular blockchain framework and de facto standard for enterprise blockchain platforms. Intended as a foundation for developing enterprise-grade applications and industry solutions, the open, modular architecture uses plug-and-play components to accommodate a wide range of use cases.

With more than 120,000 contributing organizations and more than 15,000 engineer contributors working together, Hyperledger Fabric offers a unique approach to consensus that enables performance at scale while also preserving the data privacy enterprises demand.

An introduction to Hyperledger (109 KB)
How Hyperledger Fabric works

Hyperledger Fabric is an open, proven, enterprise-grade, distributed ledger platform. It has advanced privacy controls so only the data you want shared gets shared among the “permissioned” (known) network participants.

Smart contracts document the business processes you want to automate with self-executing terms between the parties written into lines of code. The code and the agreements contained therein exist across the distributed, decentralized blockchain network. Transactions are trackable and irreversible, creating trust between organizations. This enables businesses to make more informed decisions quicker — saving time, reducing costs, and reducing risks.

Benefits of Hyperledger Fabric
Permissioned network

Establish decentralized trust in a network of known participants rather than an open network of anonymous participants.

Confidential transactions

Expose only the data you want to share to the parties you want to share it with.

Pluggable architecture

Tailor the blockchain to industry needs with a pluggable architecture rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Easy to get started

Program smart contracts in the languages your team works in today, instead of learning custom languages and architectures.

Why Hyperledger Fabric is the framework under the IBM Blockchain Platform

IBM recommends businesses not build a production blockchain solution using just the free open source. IBM (and other vendors) offer commercial distributions that include tools and support.

The IBM Blockchain Platform is IBM’s commercial distribution of Hyperledger Fabric, which includes full 24x7x365 support of the open-source solution with service level agreements (SLAs). It comes with the most advanced set of productivity tools for building, governing and operating your blockchain solution.

Read blog post to learn why to use Platform on Hyperledger

Why to use Platform on Hyperledger

Learn more about IBM Blockchain Platform
Hyperledger Fabric is an open source blockchain for business

Innovators in a wide range of industries — finance, banking, healthcare, IoT, supply chain, manufacturing and technology — are creating open, standardized, enterprise-grade blockchain frameworks and code bases using Hyperledger Fabric to produce tangible business results.

  • Companies part of Hyperledger: 148
  • Lines of Code: 18.4 Million 
Blockchain use cases

Learn how blockchain and we.trade are making commerce easier.

Learn how Farmer Connect and IBM Food Trust are connecting coffee growers and coffee drinkers with blockchain.

See how blockchain provides real-time, shared and trusted information of goods throughout the shipping and receiving process.

First-of-a-kind blockchain platform transforms bank guarantee process

Learn how the process enables all parties to obtain and manage legally binding guarantees, and reduces issuance time down to one day.

Explore the multicloud success story of Vertrax and Chateaux software.

Reopening venues with contactless blockchain digital ticketing

As it identifies new ways to host small-scale, outdoor, in-person performances, Miami’s Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts is using blockchain technology to provide secure, contactless digital ticketing.

Related Solutions
IBM Support for Hyperledger Fabric

Take advantage of IBM expertise. The founding member of the Hyperledger open-source community now brings support for the leading open-source blockchain for business, with SLAs and 24x7 support.

Learn about IBM Support for Hyperledger Fabric
Blockchain healthcare and life sciences solutions

Tackle issues of trust, transparency and data integrity with blockchain-based networks and solutions.

Learn more about blockchain healthcare solutions
Blockchain for supply chain solutions

Resolve issues faster, build trust and strengthen supply chain networks with IBM Blockchain.

Explore blockchain for supply chain
Blockchain solutions for trade finance

Reinvent trade and trade finance with our network-convening expertise and the industry’s leading platform.

Discover blockchain trade finance solutions
Blockchain for financial services

Build greater trust for all, and bring new transparency, simplicity and efficiency to every financial transaction.

Explore blockchain for financial services
Blockchain for government

Save budget with new automations, more securely share data, and discover insights from data already being gathered.

Learn more about blockchain for government
Blockchain in media and entertainment

Blockchain is transforming online ad buying, online ticketing, rights management and much more.

Explore blockchain in media and entertainment
Resources Learn more about blockchain

Deepen your understanding of blockchain, how it works and its benefits for your business.

Blockchain security capabilities

Learn about the multiple ways blockchain can help secure your data, based on its inherent structure, the type of network you select, and the permissions you grant.

Smoothly integrate smart contracts and network management

Try the IBM Blockchain Platform Extension for VSCode. Discover, code, test, debug, package, deploy and publish smart contracts and applications within a single tool.

Advancing business blockchain adoption

Learn more about how the Hyperledger community is promoting global open source collaboration.

Blockchain’s role in the face of disruption

A panel discussion on some of the ways blockchain is addressing the challenges of 2020, as well as on the work that lies ahead.

Blockchain State of the Union

Join industry leaders in a blockchain discussion for developers and technical leaders.

Next Steps

Explore our informational guides to gain a deeper understanding of various aspects of blockchain such as how it works, ways to use it and considerations for implementation.

Blockchain Topics What is blockchain Benefits of blockchain Smart contracts Blockchain for business Blockchain security Blockchain for good Blockchain and IoT