I'm rather more impressed by the DAG systems than the chain. A tree always seems more sensible that a linked list.
https://people.csail.mit.edu/nickolai/papers/gilad-algorand-...
It has some novel approaches to node / data agreement.
Also take a look at the many projects Hyperledger projects. Hyperledger is incubated by The Linux Foundation. Their attitude towards open source development is that of purely technical curiosity and experimentation. Brian Behlendorf is directing the project so it's in good hands. He speaks about this attitude here: