Advanced Analysis Tool Proposal for the Polkadot Ecosystem

1

Hello to the Polkadot community :waving_hand:

I’d like to share my project for an advanced analysis tool for the Polkadot ecosystem, inspired by platforms like Arkham Intelligence. This is not a simple block explorer like Subscan, but rather a platform dedicated to forensic analysis of fund flows, entity identification, and mapping relationships between addresses.

In just two days of development, I created a functional POC (Proof of Concept) that allowed me to validate the technical approach. This POC, although developed under the CypherTux banner, already demonstrates surprising capabilities with transaction network visualizations and advanced tracing features.

image
image283×310 28.8 KB

image
image609×316 48.1 KB

image
image681×227 52.1 KB

image
image764×339 36.1 KB

image
image778×848 57.3 KB

:backhand_index_pointing_right: https://x.com/Cyphertux/status/1896950276151713967

Important: If this project generates interest from the community, it would be developed as a completely separate product, with its own identity and design, unrelated to CypherTux. It would be a platform specifically dedicated to blockchain analysis in the Polkadot ecosystem.

An Advanced Analysis Tool, Not Just an Explorer

To understand the difference between the proposed tool and traditional explorers like Subscan, here are the capabilities I want to develop:

Key Features

  • Advanced Transaction Network Visualization: Interactive mapping showing relationships between addresses and fund flows
  • Entity Identification: Attribution of labels to addresses (exchanges, projects, foundations, etc.)
  • Multi-hop Fund Tracing: Tracking DOT/token movements throughout the ecosystem, with complete visualization of the transaction chain
  • Behavioral Analysis: Detection of unusual or suspicious transaction patterns
  • Address Clustering: Automatic grouping of addresses likely controlled by the same entity
  • Analytical Dashboards: Advanced visualizations and metrics on fund flows

As an example, Arkham Intelligence has transformed blockchain analysis by revealing hidden connections between addresses and entities. This project aims to bring this same analytical power to the Polkadot ecosystem, while adapting it to its specificities.

Current State and POC Capabilities :magnifying_glass_tilted_right:

My current POC, although developed in just two days, already has impressive capabilities:

  • Network Visualization: Graphical display of transactions between addresses
  • Multi-hop Tracing: Ability to track funds across multiple transactions (the current visualization already shows these connections)
  • Tag Identification: Recognition of known entities such as exchanges thanks to Subscan data
  • Interactive Interface: Intuitive navigation in the transaction graph

However, this POC has several important limitations:

  • Relies on the Subscan API, with strict query limits
  • Lacks dedicated indexing for deeper analysis
  • Interface that needs redesigning to support more complex transaction networks
  • Absence of advanced algorithms for clustering and pattern detection

These limitations cannot be overcome with the current technical approach. To realize the complete vision, an architectural redesign is necessary.

Proposed Technical Solution :hammer_and_wrench:

Transforming this POC into a mature platform would require:

Infrastructure

  • Dedicated Polkadot RPC Node: For direct and unlimited access to blockchain data
  • Custom Indexer via SubQuery: To efficiently store and index transactions and their metadata
  • Graph Database: To efficiently model and query relationships between addresses

Backend

  • Extended Tagging System: Database and logic to identify and label entities
  • Analysis Engine: Algorithms to detect patterns, calculate risk scores, etc.
  • Optimized API: To efficiently serve complex frontend queries

Frontend

  • Modern Interface with shadcn/ui and Next.js: For a smooth and responsive user experience
  • Advanced Graph Visualizations: Using specialized libraries for navigation in complex networks
  • Analytical Dashboards: To present data in a clear and actionable manner

Accelerated Development Plan :world_map:

With the right resources and support, here’s the rapid development plan I envision:

Phase 1: Infrastructure and Foundations (3-4 weeks)

  • Setup of the RPC node and indexer
  • Development of the graph database
  • Creation of fundamental APIs

Phase 2: Analytical Features (4-5 weeks)

  • Implementation of clustering and analysis algorithms
  • Development of the tagging system
  • Creation of analytical dashboards

Phase 3: Finalization and Launch (2-3 weeks)

  • Performance optimization
  • User interface refinement
  • Beta version launch

With a team of 2 developers, the whole project could be completed in less than 2 months.

Resources and Funding :fire:

I firmly believe that with a budget under $10,000, it’s possible to develop a first robust and functional version of this platform. This amount would cover the necessary infrastructure as well as development resources to achieve the set objectives.

I should mention that I’m currently going through a period where I have time to dedicate to this project, but I cannot afford to invest weeks of work without any support or indication of interest. This is precisely why I’m reaching out to the community before fully diving into this development.

Differentiation and Value for the Ecosystem :high_voltage:

This analysis tool would offer several benefits to the Polkadot ecosystem:

  1. Increased Transparency: Making fund flows and relationships between entities visible
  2. Enhanced Security: Enabling identification of suspicious activities
  3. Research Tool: Facilitating analysis of economic trends in the ecosystem
  4. Investor Confidence: Demonstrating the maturity of the ecosystem in terms of analytical tools

This project would distinguish itself from tools like Subscan by its analytical nature and ability to reveal insights that simple explorers cannot provide.

Call to the Community :telephone_receiver:

At this stage, I am open to all discussions regarding the direction of this project, potential partnerships, or alternative funding models. Before proceeding with a formal funding request, I seek your feedback on:

  • The interest in a forensic analysis tool in the Polkadot ecosystem
  • Priority features that would bring the most value
  • Specific use cases you would like to see addressed
  • Appetite for a formal proposal to Polkadot governance

I want to emphasize that without concrete feedback and community support, this project will likely remain at the concept stage. Your engagement is essential to transform this vision into reality. If you see value in this proposal, I strongly encourage you to share your thoughts, suggestions, and interest - this will give me the momentum needed to move forward.

Openness and Business Model :money_bag:

I want to emphasize that I am genuinely open to all forms of discussion about this project. It’s entirely possible that other community members are already working on a similar solution, and if that’s the case, collaboration would certainly be more beneficial than duplicating efforts. Personally, I’ve already developed my tool for private use, but the positive feedback I’ve received has convinced me that making it accessible to a wider audience could be valuable.

It’s important to note that the budget mentioned earlier doesn’t cover long-term operational costs (servers, maintenance, ongoing development). If I were to carry this project alone, these costs would amount to approximately $5,000 per month. That said, investing this type of amount in an analysis tool seems completely reasonable given the value it would bring to the ecosystem.

Regarding the business model, we have several options. We could adopt a freemium approach with payments in DOT for advanced features, which would make the project self-sufficient. Alternatively, the project could be entirely supported by Polkadot governance, which would involve funding one or more annual salaries. Personally, I believe a viable and independent business model would be more interesting and sustainable for the project and its developers, while demonstrating the commercial potential of applications built on Polkadot.

Thank you for your attention, and I look forward to your comments and suggestions. The future of this project directly depends on your response to this proposal.

Note: I can share screenshots of the current POC upon request to illustrate the concept, although the final interface would be considerably more sophisticated.

8 Likes