The Evolution of Blockchain Data Indexing: From Raw Nodes to AI-Powered Full-Chain Databases

1. Introduction

Since the first batch of Blockchain applications emerged in 2017, decentralized applications (dApp) have been thriving, covering multiple fields such as finance, gaming, and social networking. As the industry continues to advance, we can't help but wonder: where does the data that these dApps rely on actually come from?

In 2024, artificial intelligence and Web3 have become the focus. In the field of AI, data is like the source of life, continuously nourishing the growth and evolution of the system. Without the support of massive amounts of high-quality data, even the most sophisticated AI algorithms cannot exhibit the intelligence and effectiveness they are capable of.

This article will delve into the development history of blockchain data accessibility, analyze the evolution of data indexing technology, and compare the similarities and differences in data services and product architecture of mainstream protocols such as The Graph, Chainbase, and Space and Time, with a particular focus on how the latter two combine AI technology to provide innovative services.

2. The Complexity and Simplicity of Data Indexing: From Blockchain Nodes to Full Chain Databases

2.1 Data Source: Blockchain Node

Blockchain is essentially a decentralized distributed ledger, maintained by numerous nodes together. Each node keeps a complete copy of the blockchain data, ensuring the decentralized nature of the network. However, ordinary users face many difficulties in building and maintaining nodes, as it requires not only technical expertise but also high hardware and bandwidth costs. Additionally, the query capabilities of ordinary nodes are limited, making it difficult to meet the needs of developers.

To solve this problem, RPC node providers have emerged. They bear the operational costs of nodes and provide data access services to users through RPC endpoints. Public RPC endpoints are free, but there are rate limits; private RPC endpoints perform better, but they are not very efficient for complex queries and are difficult to scale across chains. Nevertheless, the standardized API interfaces of node providers have greatly lowered the threshold for users to access on-chain data.

2.2 Data Analysis: From Raw Data to Usable Data

The raw data provided by blockchain nodes is often encrypted and encoded, making it very difficult for ordinary users and developers to use this data directly. Therefore, data parsing becomes a key link, transforming complex raw data into a format that is easy to understand and operate, significantly enhancing the usability of the data.

2.3 Evolution of Data Indexers

As the amount of Blockchain data surges, the demand for data indexers is becoming increasingly prominent. Indexers organize on-chain data and store it in databases, making it easy to query. They provide a unified query interface, allowing developers to quickly and accurately retrieve the information they need using standardized query languages like GraphQL(.

Different types of indexers each have their own characteristics:

1. Full Node Indexer: Extracts data directly from full nodes to ensure data integrity, but requires a lot of resources.
2. Lightweight Indexer: relies on full nodes to retrieve data on demand, reducing storage requirements but potentially increasing query time.
3. Dedicated Indexer: Optimized for specific types of data or Blockchain, such as NFT data or DeFi transactions.
4. Aggregator Indexer: Extracts data from multiple blockchains and sources, including off-chain information, to facilitate multi-chain applications.

Currently, the storage requirements for Ethereum archive nodes have reached several TB levels. In the face of such a massive amount of data, mainstream indexing protocols not only support multi-chain indexing but also customize data parsing frameworks for different application needs, such as The Graph's "subgraph" )Subgraph(.

Compared to traditional RPC endpoints, indexers significantly enhance data indexing and query efficiency. They support complex queries, data filtering, and aggregate analysis, and can integrate data sources across chains. By running in a distributed manner, indexers provide stronger security and performance, reducing the risk of interruptions.

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) 2.4 Full Chain Database: Aligning to Flow Priority

As application demands become increasingly complex, standardized APIs struggle to meet diverse query needs, such as cross-chain access or off-chain data mapping. The "stream-first" approach in modern data pipelines offers new ideas for real-time data processing, enabling organizations to respond to data instantly and make decisions.

Blockchain data service providers are also moving towards building data streams. Traditional indexer service providers have successively launched real-time data stream products, such as The Graph's Substreams and Goldsky's Mirror. Emerging service providers like Chainbase and SubSquid offer real-time data lakes generated based on the blockchain.

These services are designed to meet the need for real-time parsing of Blockchain transactions and providing comprehensive query capabilities. By treating Blockchain data as a data stream rather than a final output, we can customize high-performance datasets for various business scenarios.

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3. AI + Database? In-depth comparison of The Graph, Chainbase, and Space and Time

) 3.1 The Graph

The Graph network provides multi-chain data indexing and query services through decentralized nodes. Its core products are the data query execution market and the data indexing cache market, serving the query needs of users. The Graph network consists of four roles: indexers, curators, delegators, and developers, ensuring the system operates through economic incentives.

The Graph ecosystem is actively embracing AI technology. Tools such as AutoAgora, Allocation Optimizer, and AgentC developed by Semiotic Labs have enhanced system performance in pricing strategies, resource allocation, and user experience. The application of these tools has further improved The Graph's level of intelligence and user-friendliness.

3.2 Chainbase

Chainbase is a full-chain data network that integrates multi-chain data onto a single platform. Its unique features include:

• Real-time Data Lake: Provides instant access to blockchain data streams
• Dual-chain architecture: Execution layer built on Eigenlayer AVS, parallel to CometBFT consensus algorithm.
• Innovative data format standard: Introduce "manuscripts" to optimize data structure
• Crypto World Model: Combining AI model technology to create an AI model that understands and predicts Blockchain transactions.

The AI model Theia from Chainbase is its core highlight. Theia is based on NVIDIA's DORA model, combining on-chain and off-chain data analysis encryption patterns, making responses through causal reasoning to provide users with intelligent data services.

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) 3.3 Space and Time

Space and Time ###SxT( is committed to building a verifiable computing layer that expands zero-knowledge proofs on decentralized data warehouses. Its core technology, Proof of SQL, ensures the tamper-proof and verifiability of SQL queries, providing the foundation for blockchain data applications in industries with high data reliability requirements.

SxT collaborates with Microsoft's AI Innovation Lab to develop generative AI tools that allow users to process blockchain data through natural language. In Space and Time Studio, AI can automatically convert natural language into SQL and execute queries.

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Conclusion and Outlook

Blockchain data indexing technology has evolved from the initial node data sources, through the development of data parsing and indexers, to the AI-enabled full-chain data services, undergoing a process of gradual improvement. These technological advancements have not only enhanced the efficiency and accuracy of data access but also brought about an intelligent user experience.

In the future, with the development of new technologies such as AI technology and zero-knowledge proofs, Blockchain data services will become further intelligent and secure. As an infrastructure, Blockchain data services will continue to provide strong support for industry innovation.