BitShares is an open-source, public, blockchain-based, real-time financial platform. It provides a decentralised asset exchange similar to NYSE but for cryptocurrencies and without the need to trust a central authority to handle all the funds that facilitates trading using an international network of computers, in which anyone can take part. BitShares also provides a cryptocurrency token called BTS, which can be transferred between accounts and is used to collect fees for network operations and as a collateral for loans. The platform was designed by Daniel Larimer, an American programmer and entrepreneur, and launched in July 2014. Since March 2016 the project has been a part of Microsoft Azure Blockchain as a Service.@steempowerpics