Blockchain platforms are emerging platforms and, at this point, nearly indistinguishable in some cases from core blockchain technology. They are being used for generalized distributed value exchange, consisting of an expanding list of cryptographically signed, irrevocable transactional records shared by all participants in a network. Each record contains a time stamp and reference links to previous transactions. It is a decentralized state transition machine that manages the life cycle of digitalized assets and immutably records operations in a distributed ledger. A digitalized asset can be any object with explicit or implicit value (such as digital currencies, securities, precious metals, commodities, materials, identity, credentials, patient health records).
Blockchain as a Service is a cloud-based service that enables users to build, host, and use their own blockchain apps, functions, and smart contracts without the need to maintain and setup the underlying infrastructure themselves. It's similar to how software as a service (SaaS) works, offering blockchain technology on a subscription basis, making it easier and more accessible for businesses, financial institutions and developers to leverage blockchain technology for various features like scaling up the blockchain solutions, secure transactions, and decentralization, without the complexity and cost of developing and managing a blockchain infrastructure on their own.