[Summary] The well-known blockchain explorer Etherscan recently announced the cancellation of free API services for Avalanche C-Chain, Base, BNB Chain, and OP Mainnet, sparking controversy in the community over the centralized dependence on data infrastructure and the commercialization versus open-source spirit. This move exposes the vulnerability of the Ethereum ecosystem to centralized data providers.
💡 Core Events and Business Truths
Etherscan suddenly 'cuts supply': Etherscan announced during Devcon that it would cancel free API services for Avalanche, Base, BNB Chain, and OP Mainnet. The official reason is that chain performance improvements have led to a significant increase in data volume and operational costs.
Community dissatisfaction: The founder of the open-source project $\text{rotki}$ complained that Etherscan chose to 'raid' during major events without prior notice, leaving developers relying on its $\text{API}$ caught off guard.
Expensive paid services: The founder of $\text{Routescan}$ revealed that Etherscan charges about 1.5 to 2 million dollars annually to the chains it supports. Even for paid chains, the free $\text{API}$ limit is only 5 RPS, and the monthly subscription fee for higher request numbers can reach up to 899 dollars. This indicates that Etherscan's level of commercialization far exceeds expectations.
🧐 The issue of data monopoly and the 'chokehold' problem of infrastructure
Centralized dependence: Changes in Etherscan's business strategy directly impact $\text{DeFi}$ applications, wallets, and trackers that rely on its free $\text{API}$. This exposes the Ethereum ecosystem's excessive dependence on a few centralized data providers and its vulnerability.
The open-source camp fights back: Organizations like VERA (EVM Smart Contract Source Code Open Alliance) and the Open Labels Initiative are working hard to promote convenient, unified, and open access to blockchain data to prevent data infrastructure from being monopolized.
Etherscan's absence from open-source: Engineers from the $\text{Reserve Protocol}$ revealed that Etherscan did not participate in the open-source infrastructure work aimed at data readability and accessibility, raising questions about its exclusion of open-source collaboration for commercial interests.
🚀 The philosophical debate between decentralization and commercialization
The flaws of Ethereum: Some point out that Ethereum does not include 'querying block data' as part of the consensus, and $\text{DApp}$ must rely on third-party $\text{RPC}$ or Etherscan. If these centralized nodes provide false data, the chain can become 'unreadable' or the data inaccurate.
In contrast to $\text{IC}$: The $\text{Internet Computer (IC)}$ incorporates the query itself into the protocol, returning cryptographically verified data to ensure accuracy.
Conclusion: The controversy over Etherscan's fees has once again become the focal point of the conflict between centralized commercial services (providing professional guarantees) and decentralized open-source culture (the public nature of infrastructure). But is it possible that the Ethereum ecosystem, due to this 'imperfection' and the demand for commercial components, is driving the diversification and prosperity of the ecosystem?
❓ What do you think?
The sudden charging of an important infrastructure service choice is either a business inevitability or a 'scalping' behavior towards the developer ecosystem? Do you think open-source/alternative browsers like Blockscout or Routescan can break Etherscan's monopoly?
👉 Leave your thoughts in the comments! #Etherscan #区块链基础 facilities #去中心 transformation #Web3
