# Arkham intelligence : Prospects and concerns By [Prcrypto](https://paragraph.com/@prcrypto) · 2023-07-13 --- > **knowledge is a knowing that one can leverage to gain edge** Reader, it’s public knowledge that most blockchains are public, anyone can query them, store their data and use them for any purpose **_But only few people do for the following reasons_** ------------------------------------------------------ **1.** **Overarching need** : most people only transact , they are only interested in seeing the trail of their transactions, what top contracts are people interacting with etc. this desire is not strong enough for them to keep data **2.** **Cost** : A single network like Ethereum alone has hundreds of gigabytes of data, imagine adding other L1 and L2. Hosting such data on cloud services is expensive. ![Ethereum Chain Full Sync Data Size](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/9b331f3b2cd7af61d0d7fc5c010fcaf6b0a344e15b31075076f3dc26eebbc872.webp) Ethereum Chain Full Sync Data Size **3\. Technical know how** : Not everyone has the knowledge to carry out such engineering task, if you don’t know how, you have to pay someone else So today we have some services that have popped here and there solving one problem or the other. Though blockchain data is public and accessible to everyone, it’s is unprocessed, anonymous and useless. > Arkham is building a crypto intelligence platform to help with this. The challenge of generating intelligence has been based on three key issues : ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- **1\. Collection** : one has to locate reliable sources of relevant on chain and off chain data **2\. Aggregation**: one need to unify all these sources into a single pool of data that can be easily queried **3\. Attribution**: One now needs to assign real world identities to addresses > Arkham employs a proprietary algorithm called ULTRA to help with all three processes above. > > A pertinent question to ask is what details those this ULTRA entails, how is this data collected etc seeing there are concerns of the project getting funding from those who have some purported links to Govt agencies like the CIA. In this piece, I write about Arkham and their approach to crypto intelligence as well some of my possible concerns . 7 theses Arkham believes in. ---------------------------- ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/75511db2749955d4e57b0b99f6e6f05bbf0d4c6de427345f94748fac171192f4.webp) **1\. Deanonymization is destiny** : Arkham argues that just like as the early internet, people were anonymous but today they are assign their real name to their internet identity, Arkham believe same will happen with crypto. Consider the popular of ENS and other naming systems, how about digital identity solutions **2\. Decentralize access to crypto data**: though there are lots of tools out there, many are limited , others are expensive , therefore gating or limiting access to this products **3\. Crypto becoming a core part of global finance**: smart contracts have enabled possibilities in finance never seen before now and as more and more institutions and people embrace crypto, soon it will be a part of global finance **4\. Crypto intelligence will be widely adopted**: Arkham argues that just like people of several class use same smartphone, the smartphone moment of crypto intelligence has arrived and many will adopt it **5\. Crypto intelligence will be a $30 billion per annual industry**: Imagine a world where more and more people and institutions adopt crypto, so more data is generated that need to be uncovered **6\. The future of crypto data will be entity based** : Arkham argues that we should be able to link real world people and institutions to every transaction. **7\. Crypto intelligence will power self regulation**: An industry can regulate herself better than some regulatory bodies. Between players and the football association, who do you think can regulate better The Arkham intelligence platform -------------------------------- In this section, we will go through some features of the platform **1\. Multi chain** : when you search an address on etherscan, it will show you also a link to other blockchains that same evm address might have interacted with in the past. Arkham takes a multichain approach to crypto intelligence. Intelligence is only as far as you can cover, so the more networks covered, the better intelligence we can cover **2\. Filters** : they enable to sort transactions according to any parameters a user seem fit **3\. Profiler** : an entity data is put into strata like portfolio, historical performance, counterparties and transactions) **4\. Visualizer** : one can easily analyze the relationship between entities through a network graph **5\. Alerts** : users can set custom triggers to be alerted for. They are use for monitoring and responding to activities of interest in real time **6\. Dashboard**: it will offer something similar to Dune analytics, here users can build custom dashboard for themselves or other entities as they seem fit ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/52b90b7985082e5c4bd4aa25fc0b83b1b5fe00790076786d6884150a635d6f2a.webp) Intel to earn and Arkham intel exchange --------------------------------------- So next in our piece, we will talk about the Arkham intel exchange . Crypto is an industry that relies on multiple players. Lots of people have helped with marketing, content, community engagement, testing and even code audit and bug bounties. There is a growing need right now for crypto intelligence , many want to know what their crypto OG is investing in , so that they can do same, others want to bring hackers to the book and many more reasons. Also on the other hand , many onchain analysts are popping up with excellent analysis on different issues . > ZachXBT does an excellent job of helping safe guard the crypto space, exposing scams and much more but much of his work is public good, he relies on donations, think of the current lawsuit he is facing The debate of having a platform like Arkham is a heated one, it has it merits and own demerits such like everything out there. The business of private investigations is a big one, depending on who you ask, is it ethical or not, when is it ethical etc. The Arkham intel exchange ------------------------- ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/72e59535be9683eed74058e07acebbd61379adb570f4cf8c3e2a4125d2917c52.webp) The platform consists of the following : **1\. Bounties** : anyone(bounty posters) who can request intel on anything, they can do so by posting a bounty, bounty hunters can search the platform and get to work on any bounty they like **2\. Sellers :** There are intel merchants and also intel collectors on the platform as well **3\. The DATA program**: Arkham runs a decentralized AI training accelerator to help curate more data and reward worthy participants ARKM INCENTIVES --------------- ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/fc5ced4323b80f1044b1046dc269385fa39a649d7dfb57511017cc380c0a6c35.webp) 1\. **ARKM rewards** : Arkham will incentivize activities that push the overall ecosystem forward, it will give out grants as well as run ecosystem partner programs 2\. **ARKM discounts** : The token will be used to power the platform but one is not bound to make payments with it. Users will get 20% discount if they pay for services in ARKM tokens. Also for those who hold ARKM for certain period prior to transactions, they will get 50% discounts. Why do we need crypto intelligence ---------------------------------- 1. **Sybils** : [Hop protocol](https://decrypt.co/143231/hop-protocols-sybil-hunter-payout-unveils-powerful-new-airdrop-tool) and many others have in the past resorted to their communities to help fish out sybils during their airdrop. Community members were rewarded for reporting with enough proof addresses that have engaged in Sybil activities. Today a protocol may have x addresses interacting with it with more than 60% Sybils hunting airdrops with multiple wallets. Sybils are bad for web3 in general, they give false narrative that crypto is progressing and steal our collective wealth. Imagine a single using 100 wallets to farm an airdrop **2\. Hacks** : imagine a user by name Alice with real identity scams Bob, today it’s easier to trace them but today hackers are having a field day in crypto. From dApps to protocols to users, no one is spared. How about in the case of a hack , several onchain analysts spring into action, criminals will be spotted faster and criminality will reduce. **3\. Tracking** : You can track your favorite investor, see what they are buying and selling in real time, you can also see what various institutions are up to as well, you can also use it to track dormant wallets as well as inflows and outflows of crypto exchanges **4\. Latent potential** : today the push right now is Real world assets coming onchain. Today one can only secure an overcollaterized loan, not everyone is wealthy for such but when crypto intelligence comes to its fullest, we can explore cases where users can chat onchain , build permanent social media presence that are not in the hands of some players etc The dangers of crypto intelligence ---------------------------------- Crypto started with bitcoin, it was and still a store of value as well as a means of payment. Ethereum extend the possibilities of what a blockchain can do by introducing smart contracts. Privacy is not inherently a key feature of blockchains, one can argue that privacy is important, i support that but there exists tools for privacy transactions like monero, zcash etc, also privacy blockchains. Let’s explore the dangers of crypto intelligence ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/8853a32e711428a1f8d4b6c7b86a80a4a67a1f77a8895d6f302977241270ade2.webp) [https://twitter.com/RyanSAdams/status/1678414929534021633](https://twitter.com/RyanSAdams/status/1678414929534021633) **1\. Bad bounties** : One question yet to be answered is who gets to answer what **2\. Unintended consequences**: the law of unintended consequences may play out as well. [Sir Alfred Nobel](https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2011/11/ive-created-a-monster-on-the-regrets-of-inventors/249044/) invented the atomic bomb with the intent to help humanity but today lots of lives are been destroyed with this tool. We have held of reports of people been held at gun point and asked to give out their crypto, could a tool like this in the hands of criminals throw crypto people into more dangers ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/801ce2fae42393b25af7359690a0b89e2fc776bd4b96a5797e83c29af7c6e298.webp) **3\. Conspiracy**: 🤔could big brother be spying on us all. **_Reader, I will like to know your take on this issues._** --- *Originally published on [Prcrypto](https://paragraph.com/@prcrypto/arkham-intelligence-prospects-and-concerns)*