def METHOD_NAME(self):
    """
    Start the blockchain client using the configured blockchain gateway.
    """
    assert self._w3 is None
    if self._gateway:
        w3 = web3.Web3(web3.Web3.HTTPProvider(self._gateway))
    else:
        # using automatic provider detection:
        from web3.auto import w3
    # check we are connected, and check network ID
    if not w3.isConnected():
        emsg = 'could not connect to Web3/Ethereum at: {}'.format(self._gateway or 'auto')
        self.log.warn(emsg)
        raise RuntimeError(emsg)
    else:
        print('connected to network {} at provider "{}"'.format(w3.version.network,
                                                                self._gateway or 'auto'))
    self._w3 = w3
    # set new provider on XBR library
    xbr.setProvider(self._w3)