What Is Besu?
Also known as: Hyperledger Besu, Pantheon, Besu Client
In short
Besu is an open-source Ethereum client (execution layer software) written in Java. It is used both to run nodes on the Ethereum mainnet and for organizations to set up permissioned, private blockchain networks.
Besu was first developed by ConsenSys under the name Pantheon and, in 2019, joined the Hyperledger project and took the name Hyperledger Besu. Hyperledger is an initiative that brings together enterprise blockchain projects under the Linux Foundation. Since Ethereum's switch to Proof of Stake (The Merge), Besu works as an execution client together with a consensus client such as Prysm, Lighthouse or Teku.
What sets Besu apart is its tools aimed at enterprise use. It offers permissioning that restricts which nodes and accounts can join the network, Proof of Authority consensus algorithms such as IBFT 2.0 and QBFT for enterprise networks, and monitoring interfaces. It has been used in enterprise projects such as banking applications and central bank digital currency (CBDC) pilots.
Using multiple clients developed in different programming languages on the Ethereum network (client diversity) is important to prevent a bug in a single piece of software from affecting the whole network. Besu is one of the execution clients that contribute to this diversity; Geth, Nethermind and Erigon are other main examples.
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