Permissioned Blockchain
A closed blockchain where a known operator controls who may join and validate transactions.
A permissioned blockchain restricts participation to approved members. A central administrator decides who can run a node or write to the ledger. Banks and supply-chain consortia favor this model because it offers blockchain-style record-keeping with familiar controls over access.
The trade-off is decentralization. Fewer, vetted validators mean faster throughput and easier compliance, but the network depends on those operators acting honestly. Hyperledger Fabric and R3 Corda are well-known frameworks. Critics argue many of these are just shared databases wearing a blockchain label.
Related terms
A network anyone can join, use, or build on without asking a gatekeeper for approval.
Proof of Authority (PoA)A consensus method where a few approved validators secure the chain based on their known identity.
Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT)The broad category of systems that keep a synchronized record across many sites with no central master copy.