In recent years the group has accumulated knowledge about numerous distributed ledger platforms. This has permitted to introduce an extensive taxonomy provided in [Tasca and Tessone, 2019; Spychiger et al., 2021], as well as expertise in their comparative analysis. Most blockchains with native or non-native tokens provide an unprecedented level of detail regarding the exchange of value between its users. These data will be the basis for the development and implementation 3 of novel analytics measures and tools, leveraging on crucial advances in network science and its successful application to socio-economic systems. Blockscope (tentative name) will be a large-scale initiative which will connect to the underlying distributed networks, continuously collect, process and present data of different blockchain-based platforms.
This data will be further enriched with information gathered from organizations that interact with these underlying distributed networks, i.e. companies active in the blockchain ecosystem. Blockscope will be strengthened by our position as neutral observer and is therefore potentially disruptive in the space. We plan to have a large-scale facility that keeps synchronised an increasing range of blockchainbased platforms, starting with the most widespread ones. This initiative does not start from scratch, instead it builds on years of experience in analysing these ledgers. We plan to allow for continuous observation and dynamically measure large scale properties of these systems (e.g., global indicators, abnormal activities, centralisation indicators, etc.).
We will also record information about the overlay P2P networks and second layer solutions (e.g., off-chain payments) and delegation dynamics (when relevant, e.g. in specific consensus protocols). However, the number and nature of platforms continues to diversify and accelerate. Thus, we plan to first standardise compatible information into large-scale databases to be able to extend the realm of our analyses to new platforms with low marginal cost. Within this system, a dashboard will be openly accessible, and insights of our research broadcast. With the wealth of data, a large research output, and a myriad of possible studies and extensions are envisioned. The infrastructure for Blockscope will be financed for the first years of operation by the University of Zurich. When the studies are performer in agreement with a foundations/initiative related to a specific platform, we will produce: Periodic reports of the state of the specific ecosystem (focusing on the economic functioning of the system and leveraging on our research), presentations by associated staff on devoted Conferences (or other scientific venues), early preview of results by community stakeholders (without limits on freedom of research).
