CEO Miguel Morel Predicts Monetization by Year-End
Arkham Intelligence CEO, Miguel Morel, has announced that the blockchain data platform will introduce paid features later this year while maintaining free access to its core services. This move is aimed at balancing monetization with the platform’s mission of providing essential tools to the blockchain community at no cost.
Core Services to Remain Free
Morel emphasized that Arkham’s main functions, including entity searches and portfolio views, will always be free. He highlighted the platform’s commitment to providing valuable tools to users without charging for essential features. “From a vision perspective, I want the main pillars of Arkham to be free,” Morel said at ETHCC. This approach ensures that a broad user base can continue to benefit from Arkham’s services without financial barriers.
Monetization Strategy
The CEO revealed that although the platform could have started monetizing months ago, the decision was made to focus on user growth first. Morel explained that non-essential tools, such as the API, visualization, and tracer tools, may become paid services in the future. These advanced features, while valuable, are not critical to the platform’s primary offerings. This strategy allows Arkham to enhance its revenue streams without compromising the accessibility of its core services.
“We could have turned on the monetization months ago. And we’ve chosen not to because we feel there are more people out there who could continue to benefit from our services,” Morel stated. He added that the key goal is to reach the right level of growth before implementing paid features. This measured approach is designed to ensure that the platform can support a growing user base while gradually introducing monetization.
Expansion Plans: TON and Solana Blockchains
Arkham Intelligence is preparing to expand its blockchain support, adding the TON blockchain within the next two weeks and Solana by the end of August. The integration of Solana is particularly noteworthy, with an estimated annual cost of $1 million. Fortunately, the platform received a grant to support this integration. Morel pointed out the lack of effective block explorers for Solana and suggested that Arkham’s tools could reveal significant insights.
“Keep in mind, these chains are forever. So even if somebody did something like a while back, somebody could theoretically dig that up and see actually what went down,” Morel noted. This ability to analyze historical data on the blockchain could prove invaluable for uncovering newsworthy information and providing deeper insights into blockchain transactions.
Unique Offering and Market Fit
Arkham has seen increased usage, especially among analysts tracking significant movements like bitcoin transactions by the German government and Mt. Gox repayments. Morel attributed this uptake to the platform’s unique offerings and product-market fit. “We actually built something unique that’s got product market fit. And the more eyeballs and the more people who look at it, the more it spreads,” he stated.
The platform’s ability to provide detailed blockchain data and analytics has made it a valuable tool for a wide range of users, from individual analysts to larger organizations. This growing user base is a testament to Arkham’s innovative approach and the high demand for its services.
Community and Ecosystem Impact
Arkham’s decision to keep core services free reflects its commitment to the blockchain community. By providing essential tools at no cost, the platform supports the growth and development of the blockchain ecosystem. This approach not only benefits individual users but also contributes to the broader adoption and understanding of blockchain technology.
Morel’s vision for Arkham includes fostering a community of users who can leverage the platform’s tools to gain insights and make informed decisions. By maintaining accessibility and focusing on user growth, Arkham aims to build a strong and engaged user base that can drive innovation and discovery within the blockchain space.
As Arkham Intelligence prepares to roll out paid features, its commitment to keeping essential services free remains steadfast. The upcoming integration of TON and Solana blockchains is expected to enhance the platform’s capabilities, attracting more users and analysts. This strategic approach to monetization and expansion ensures that Arkham can continue to provide valuable services while exploring new revenue opportunities.
