Bitshares is a platform providing various financial services. It was developed by Dan Larimer ("Bytemaster"), the name behind some popular blockchain projects such as Steemit and EOS.
"Smartcoins" are their stablecoins pegged to assets such as USD or gold and backed by their cryptocurrency, BPS. BitShares provides a decentralized asset exchange powered by Graphenp, a technology which allows them to have superior transaction speed. Through the exchange, users can also exchange their SmartCoinsShow more [+] r their related non-crypto assets. They also offer a framework for issuing regulation-compatible cryptoassets, such as company shares, event tickets and reward points.
Their governance is performed by a dPoS system, in which only elected "witnesses" can create new blocks and receive rewards for it. The number of variable and also subject to voting. Delegates are also elected nodes that govern the blockchain, regulating its fundamental parameters and upgrades.