China First Nation to Rank Blockchains

Despite its tentative stance on cryptocurrency, China is now publishing a monthly blockchain index.

China's Center for Industry Information Development has published a May 17 report ranking 28 prominent blockchains, with the Ethereum "World Supercomputer" taking first place and Steem a close second.

The Global Public Blockchain Technology Assessment Index arguably reflects the findings of the Chinese government themselves - the CCID's Blockchain Research Institute nestled directly under the wing of the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

Ethereum's 80.3 score, for example, was outmuscled technologically by Steem's 82.6, yet had the overall edge.4/ Detailed scores of the first crypto ratings by CCID Research, China's Ministry of Industry & Information Technology pic.

Bitcoin did not stack up so favorably in the eyes of the CCID. While its 88.1 overall score landed it in a belated 13 place next to Verge, the report did pay homage to the original blockchain's legacy - its "Innovation" score topping all.

Obviously, with Bitcoin in thirteenth place, not everyone had confidence in the rating organization's understanding of blockchain.

CCID's top five seemed to place a big bet on smart contract platforms - with Lisk, China's own NEO and Komodo in third, fourth and fifth places respectively.

The report's inclusion of privacy coins may further raise eyebrows, with Monero and Verge in 9th and 14th places respectively.

All question of the report's findings aside, China's move is a clear statement of intent.

While China may be seen as being anti-cryptocurrency - having banned ICOs, closed domestic exchanges and blocked cryptocurrency-related sites - the government's investment into such the monthly report may be considered a staunchly pro-blockchain move.