Arcblock is a platform designed to simplify the process of developing and deploying decentralized blockchain applications. It is a solution that combines blockchain technology with Cloud Computing. Arcblock is a marketplace for reusable services, components, and even applications. The ABT ERC-20 token is used within the Arcblock ecosystem. The platform is not just a software package or set of APIs, but a self-evolving ecosystem. Arcblock strives to provide a user-friendly, cost-efficient, and protocol-agnostic platform.

Arcblock operates through a design known as Blocklet, an application protocol that can be implemented with any platform or language. Blocklet connects to any existing data source and performs both on-chain and off-chain computing. It communicates with the blockchain under layer through the Open Chain Access Protocol, allowing the application to access external data securely while also maintaining data integrity. Arcblock also introduces the Open Chain Access Protocol, which enables open connectivity over multiple blockchain protocols, giving developers the freedom to evaluate and switch between different blockchain protocols.

Arcblock has a wide range of potential use cases. It can be used to build and deploy decentralized blockchain applications, making it easier for developers to create applications that can handle a large number of concurrent users. Arcblock can also be used to develop off-chain logic, handle assets and resources, implement smart contracts, and act as a bridge that connects on-chain and off-chain logic. Furthermore, Arcblock can be used to create a marketplace for reusable services, components, and applications, encouraging the blockchain community to work together to build a better ecosystem.

Arcblock was developed to address the challenges facing current blockchain technology, such as performance, consumer friendliness, cost of use, and platform lock-in. The platform was designed using a "top-down" strategy that centers on the user experience, in contrast to many existing solutions that focus on the blockchain technology itself. Arcblock was built with an open standard, with the core components being open-sourced and the team members actively involved with a range of standards organizations, non-profit foundations, and committees. The platform continues to evolve and grow on its own, driven by the contributions of the Arcblock community.

Forge aims to simplify the process of creating custom blockchains and decentralized applications (DApps). Similar to how web frameworks have brought changes to web development, Forge aims to address the complexity and potential limitations of existing blockchain development platforms. It allows developers to focus on writing code while Forge handles the underlying blockchain technology. The framework includes a software development kit (SDK) that supports multiple programming languages, enabling developers to build blockchain applications with various programming languages. Forge also incorporates interoperability, enabling developers to interact with other blockchains through ArcBlock’s Open Chain Access Protocol (OCAP). In essence, Forge's role is to assist developers in building decentralized applications.

ArcBlock addresses the challenge of interoperability between different blockchain networks by employing a distinct approach that combines blockchain technology with cloud computing. This approach allows ArcBlock to create a platform that is scalable, efficient, and capable of seamless communication and interaction with various blockchain networks. ArcBlock's ABT Network, often referred to as the blockchain "network", is designed to support every blockchain built on the platform to be interoperable. This means that every custom blockchain built has the potential to work with any others on the network and share information securely. The ABT Network can connect with different blockchains and facilitate the exchange of information between systems that were not originally designed to work with each other. This is achieved through specific endpoints in the ABT Network that communicate with existing offline data, a feature distinct to the ABT Network. ArcBlock's approach to interoperability strives to improve the efficiency and scalability of blockchain networks, reduce segmentation, and allow for more freedom in the flow of information and assets between various networks.

ArcBlock is a blockchain 3.0 platform that strives to simplify the process of Decentralized Application (dApp) and blockchain development. It targets industries that require the creation of enterprise-level dApps and custom blockchains based on complex business rules. ArcBlock also provides developers with the ability to connect to any blockchain to achieve the results they need. The platform seeks to remove the barriers that have hindered the widespread adoption of blockchain technology. It does this by making development faster and easier, and by making finished products more user-friendly for the general public and businesses. ArcBlock extends beyond a typical blockchain, functioning as a platform service, which provides a different set of capabilities compared to the API set of many blockchain projects. It combines blockchain technology with cloud computing to provide an incentive-driven marketplace that includes reusable components and services. This approach seeks to modify the role of miners in the community, envisioning them as contributors to the software components of the system and as service providers, which could contribute to the development of the platform.

The Open Chain Access Protocol (OCAP) plays a role in ArcBlock's ecosystem by providing a unified way to connect and access different blockchain protocols and data sources. This protocol is designed with the intention of facilitating the process of accessing data from various chains for developers. OCAP allows developers to create queries and playbooks that can be reused or inserted into their applications. It supports multiple blockchain protocols, including Ethereum and Bitcoin, and aims to provide timely data access. This means that when a block updates, developers may be able to access it in the playground. The protocol includes integrated documentation to assist developers in finding the schema, query, or subscription they need. In essence, OCAP is designed with a focus on interoperability and flexibility in the ArcBlock ecosystem.

ArcBlock approaches community involvement by establishing an ecosystem that facilitates collaboration within the blockchain community for platform development. This is achieved through a reward-based marketplace for reusable services, components, and even applications. ArcBlock allows contributors, known as "miners", to run ArcBlock platform services and join the overall service network. These miners may contribute computing resources to the system or software components. And, ArcBlock has a marketplace that serves as a platform for listing, searching, evaluating, using, and ranking these reusable components. This marketplace records public feedback about the quality of components and the reputation of their developers, which provides users with information to consider reusable components. All this information is recorded in the public ledger powered by ArcBlock’s blockchain technology, which aims to provide transparency and trust.

ArcBlock is designed with the intention of ensuring data privacy and security for its users through a combination of blockchain technology, decentralized identity (DID), and cloud computing. The platform is designed to operate on a proprietary blockchain, which acts as a trust layer, ensuring data integrity and immutability. The off-chain computing handles complex computation and storage tasks, allowing for high throughput and transaction processing. At the core of ArcBlock's architecture is the concept of DID, which provides users with control over their digital identities and personal data. By leveraging DIDs, ArcBlock is designed with the goal of ensuring privacy, security, and interoperability across different systems. Moreover, ArcBlock operates on a proprietary blockchain infrastructure, which supports smart contracts and provides a platform for developers to create decentralized applications. It utilizes a delegated proof-of-stake (DPoS) consensus mechanism, which is designed for block confirmation and energy efficiency.