Microsoft to shut down Azure Blockchain cloud platform

Microsoft will shut down the cloud blockchain platform Azure Blockchain Service on 10 September 2021. The service has not supported deployment of new projects since 10 May.

The platform’s clients include the financial holding company JPMorgan, the Starbucks coffee chain, and Singapore Airlines. Users have been asked to migrate their data to other providers.

Reasons for the closure have not been disclosed. As an alternative, Microsoft recommends using ConsenSys’s Quorum Blockchain Service, with which it collaborates.

ConsenSys and Microsoft are working hard to keep developer focus on innovative use-cases and time-to-value when deploying Blockchain applications. Read more about the new managed ConsenSys Quorum Blockchain Service on Azure #blockchain #enterprise #quorumhttps://t.co/ULob0Sw5FD

— ConsenSys Quorum (@ConsenSysQuorum) May 10, 2021

According to the press release, with the move to Quorum, former Azure customers will gain access to similar services. The platform will allow them to create ‘multi-cloud blockchain services’ and solutions for transferring confidential transactions.

In August 2020, ConsenSys acquired Quorum from JPMorgan. As part of the deal, the bank made a strategic investment in the company.

Back in April 2021, JPMorgan, together with the DBS Group and Temasek, began developing an open industry blockchain platform for interbank payments, trading and settlements in foreign currency.