Analysis of ArcBlock ICO

Blockchain 3.0. The next generation of blockchain platform that will bring blockchain adoption to the general public. A platform service that will run applications for everyday users who do not even need to know that a blockchain is at work behind the scene. This is the goal of ArcBlock, a platform that will connect the crypto world to the rest of the world.

Do bear in mind that ArcBlock is not trying to build another blockchain, but they are building a platform for building blockchain applications that can connect to any number of existing blockchains using their Open Chain Access Protocol. This is a key difference between ArcBlock versus other efforts to bring blockchain to public awareness.

At the core, ArcBlock can be described as a blockchain that is designed for the building and deployment of distributed applications. But it is more than that. The ArcBlock team is developing a blockchain platform that will run on the cloud and it is also an ecosystem that incentivizes developers and miners to contribute resources, components and services to the platform. This reward system will encourage the ArcBlock community to grow the platform rather than just extract value for themselves. A worthy aim.

What Is The Problem ArcBlock Is Trying To Solve?

ArcBlock aims to overcome the current day challenges that is slowing down the adoption of blockchain by the public and general users. One of the key stumbling blocks to general adoption is the issue of speed and the ability to handle large tens of millions of users. We must remember that most consumers do not care whether they are interacting with a blockchain app or a conventional app. They only care about performance and when the app response is slow, users tend to go away. 

The other key problem is the unfriendliness of blockchain apps. Most blockchain applications require a bit of tech know to install and use. For example, users will need to install Metamask in order to use Ethereum applications. This certainly hampers the growth in the user base for blockchain applications.

The team is designing a platform that will placed priority on performance and user experience while building the entire architecture on an open standard. This will help in bringing blockchain applications to conventional users, who does not necessary need to understand blockchain technology before using blockchain apps. 

The vision is that of users interacting with blockchain apps via their web browsers or downloading blockchain apps like they would from their app store.

I give ArcBlock a 5.0/5.0 for their ambitious goal and unique approach to solve the challenges that every other blockchain dev is trying solve too.

What Is The Total ArcBlock Token (ABT) Supply?

The total supply is 186,000,000 ABT of which 45% of these tokens will be available for sale. The softcap is 12000 ETH, approximately $13.2mil USD. The hardcap is 37500 ETH + 6M CMT, approximately $43mil USD.

This is far from the biggest target in 2017, but it is sufficiently large that I initially was concerned. But with the overwhelming KYC applications that lead to the team closing the public sale registration ahead of schedule, I think the hardcap may not be that big a concern at all. To everyone who managed to get into the public sale registration, congratulations.

I give ArcBlock a 4.0/5.0 due to their likely sellout TGE.

Does ArcBlock have a MVP as well as a viable Business Plan/RoadMap?

At this moment, the dev team has already developed the prototype of the decentralized Publish-Subscribe (pub/sub) gateway which serves as the gateway for the Blocklets, which is the heart of the ArcBlock platform. 

Blocklets is the fundamental building blocks of ArcBlock platform and together with the pub/sub gateway, Blocklets will be able to interact with the codes in the users’ browsers or mobile apps. Hence building the Blocklets and the gateway is one of the key components of ArcBlock. 

The public launch of ArcBlock will be in 2019 which is a reasonable timeline based on the goals of the project.

What I do like very much is the detailed Roadmap which shows the timeline for the development work of ArcBlock. The team also has a 5 year plan which demonstrates the various goals they will achieve in the next 5 years. 

I like a team which demonstrates a long term vision and detailed planning. I give ArcBlock a 4.0/5.0 here.

Listing in Exchanges

The information about listing on exchanges is not as detailed as I hope it to be. It is only listed on the Roadmap as Q2 2018 for tokens to be launched in exchanges. While listening on ArcBlock’s telegram group, this information is heavily sought after by members but I believe that it could be either due to legal reasons or perhaps it is too early for the team to start negotiating with exchanges for listing.

This is not a critical problem as I see this token as a long term investment. The true value of ArcBlock would only be realized when the first decentralized applications on ArcBlock are launched and when the Open Chain Access Protocol is fully launched. This will occur in Q2 2018 as well. 

Hence I would advise any ICO investors to be patient and hold on to ABT at least till the launch of the first decentralized applications on ArcBlock are launched. 

I give ArcBlock a 3.0/5.0 in this area.

Team And Advisors

ArcBlock really shines in this area. The number of advisors from large companies like Netease, TeleNav, LiquidHub, DigitalTown, Krypital Group as well as partnerships with IBM and SAP forms an amazing resume. 

The wide breath of experience from the advisors will be instrumental in guiding this startup as it progress through its roadmap. It is interesting to note that there are 3 investment firms who are listed as partners; Guojin Capital, Roaming Capital and Krypital Groups. I believe these firms will provide the financial stability for ArcBlock in its journey.

I give ArcBlock 4.5/5.0 in this area.

All in all, ArcBlock score 4.1/5.0 in my books. This is an ICO worthy of my attention and it is an investment I will be making.