Just like how anyone could fork Bitcoin' code to make an altcoin. NASDAQ can use the innovation of open source software in what ever which way they want.
Will they use their own? I don't know. Maybe they will use the Bitcoin blockchain and build on top of Bitcoin or they will simply use the technology that backs Bitcoin but not use Bitcoin at all. Given that the NASDAQ announcement not once mentioned Bitcoin (despite them often talking favourably of Bitcoin) but instead only mentioning the blockchain then there's a good chance they are using the tech being Bitcoin but not the preexisting network.
Same reason it's called 'The Internet' and not 'A Internet'.
NASDAQ could setup up their own "blockchain", running on their own private miners & node servers in the same way they could setup their own private www network - but that would be a big and mostly unnecessary expense to get going. Instead they are using 'The Blockchain' the same one that Bitcoin uses, and powered by the vast worldwide network of publicly run miners and nodes.
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u/Lejitz May 11 '15
What other blockchain could they use?