Websites using Blockcypher

Okay, let s break down BlockCypher, covering its overview, revenue (estimates, as they don t publicly disclose), alternatives, pricing, and customer care.

BlockCypher Overview

• What it is: BlockCypher was a Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) provider. It offered a suite of APIs and tools to enable developers to easily build blockchain applications without needing to run and maintain their own blockchain infrastructure. It covered Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and other blockchains.

• Key Features (Historically):

  • Blockchain APIs: Used to access blockchain data (transactions, blocks, addresses, etc.).
  • Webhooks: Real-time notifications about blockchain events.
  • Transaction Builder/Broadcaster: Tools for creating and submitting transactions.
  • Wallet Service: (In some plans) Managed wallet infrastructure.
  • Data Analytics: Historical blockchain data and analysis.

• Target Audience: Developers, businesses, and organizations building blockchain-based applications, including:

  • Cryptocurrency exchanges
  • Payment processors
  • Supply chain management systems
  • Digital identity platforms
  • Gaming platforms

Important Update (2023/2024):

• Acquisition by Coinbase: In late 2023/early 2024, BlockCypher was acquired by Coinbase. This is a significant change.
• Current Status: BlockCypher is essentially being integrated into Coinbase s broader infrastructure. The original BlockCypher APIs are being deprecated. New users cannot sign up, and existing users are being migrated or encouraged to use Coinbase s offerings. This means it s not really a standalone service anymore. Therefore, focusing on alternatives is now crucial.

Revenue (Estimates - Before Acquisition):

• BlockCypher was a private company, so they never released official revenue figures.
• Estimates varied widely but likely placed their annual revenue in the millions of dollars range (low to mid millions) before the Coinbase acquisition. This was based on market share, pricing plans, and the size of their customer base. It s important to reiterate that this is just speculation.

Alternatives to BlockCypher (Focus on Current Options):

Since BlockCypher is being phased out, here are the main alternatives you should consider. The best choice depends on your specific needs (which blockchain, required features, budget, etc.):

• Coinbase Cloud: The natural successor, now that Coinbase owns BlockCypher. This includes:

  • Node: Infrastructure to interact with blockchains programmatically.
  • Wallet: Manage digital assets for your business.
  • Commerce: Accept crypto payments.

• Infura: A popular Ethereum-focused BaaS provider (also supports other chains). They provide API access to Ethereum and other blockchain networks. Very widely used in the DeFi space.

  • Pros: Reliable, well-documented, large community.
  • Cons: Primarily focused on Ethereum; can be more expensive at higher usage tiers.

• Alchemy: Another strong contender, offering a comprehensive suite of developer tools and APIs for blockchain applications. Supports various blockchains (Ethereum, Polygon, etc.). Known for its developer-friendly experience.

  • Pros: Excellent developer tools, robust infrastructure, good performance.
  • Cons: Pricing can be higher than some alternatives, especially for larger-scale projects.

• QuickNode: Provides blockchain infrastructure and APIs with a focus on speed and reliability. Supports a wide range of blockchains.

  • Pros: Fast performance, good uptime, supports many blockchains, competitive pricing.
  • Cons: Documentation can be less extensive than some competitors.

• Moralis: Provides a development platform that simplifies building dApps (decentralized applications) across multiple blockchains. It offers features like authentication, database, and real-time data synchronization.

  • Pros: Simplifies dApp development, multi-chain support, built-in features.
  • Cons: Can be more expensive than some basic API providers.

• Ankr: A decentralized Web3 infrastructure provider offering nodes, APIs, and other services. They aim to provide a more affordable and decentralized alternative to centralized providers.

  • Pros: Decentralized infrastructure, competitive pricing, supports a wide range of chains.
  • Cons: Less mature than some competitors; documentation may not be as comprehensive.

• Chainstack: Another provider with a focus on enterprise blockchain solutions.

  • Pros: Enterprise-grade features, supports multiple blockchains, good customer support.
  • Cons: Can be more expensive than some smaller providers.

• Self-Hosting: The most technically challenging but potentially cost-effective option if you have the expertise and resources. You would run your own blockchain nodes.

  • Pros: Full control, potentially lower long-term costs (after initial setup), no dependency on third-party providers.
  • Cons: Requires significant technical expertise, high initial setup costs, ongoing maintenance and security responsibilities.

Pricing (Historically - BlockCypher):

• BlockCypher used to offer tiered pricing plans based on usage (number of API calls, webhook events, etc.). They had a free tier with limited usage, and paid plans offered higher limits and additional features. Pricing was competitive with other BaaS providers. The exact pricing structure is now irrelevant, as they are no longer offering the original BlockCypher service.

Pricing (Alternatives - General):

• Most BaaS providers use tiered pricing, often with a free tier for development and testing. Paid tiers are based on:

  • Number of API requests
  • Number of webhooks
  • Data storage
  • Number of nodes
  • Support level

• It s crucial to compare the specific pricing models of different providers based on your expected usage patterns. Use their pricing calculators or contact their sales teams for a more accurate estimate. Free tiers are your friend for initial testing.

Customer Care (Historically - BlockCypher):

• BlockCypher provided customer support through:
  • Documentation: Comprehensive API documentation and guides.
  • Email Support: For technical questions and issues.
  • Community Forums/Slack: (May have existed, but not always a primary focus).
  • Dedicated Support: (For enterprise customers).

Customer Care (Alternatives):

• Most BaaS providers offer similar support channels:
  • Documentation: A critical factor. Look for clear, up-to-date, and comprehensive documentation.
  • Email Support: Standard for most providers. Response times can vary.
  • Community Forums/Discord/Slack: Valuable for getting help from other users and the provider s team.
  • Dedicated Support: Usually offered for higher-tier plans, providing faster response times and more personalized assistance. Some providers offer SLAs (Service Level Agreements).

Key Takeaways and Recommendations:

1. BlockCypher is essentially being phased out. Don t build new applications relying on their old APIs.
2. Evaluate your needs: Before choosing an alternative, carefully analyze your requirements:
   • Which blockchains do you need to support?
   • What is your expected API usage?
   • What level of support do you require?
   • What is your budget?
3. Start with free tiers: Many providers offer free tiers that allow you to test their services and APIs before committing to a paid plan.
4. Consider Coinbase Cloud first: If you were a BlockCypher user, exploring Coinbase Cloud offerings is the logical first step, as they are guiding BlockCypher customers in that direction.
5. Read reviews and compare: Research the alternatives and read reviews from other developers. Compare their pricing, features, and support.
6. Test Thoroughly: Before deploying your application to production, thoroughly test the chosen provider s APIs and infrastructure to ensure they meet your performance and reliability requirements.

Good luck!