Nice coverage of our latest report - we will continue to keep an eye on the data integrity of the space well into the future!🔍
#washtrading #crypto #surveillance
Blockchain Transparency Institute
Defunct non-profit research group that published over 200 crypto exchange wash trading reports
2.8/ 5
Our score
Weak
Tool type
ResearchMarket data
API access
Yes
What is Blockchain Transparency Institute?
The Blockchain Transparency Institute (BTI) was a non-profit cryptocurrency research and surveillance organization formed to evaluate reported exchange volumes. Operating after its web domain registration in August 2018, the group evaluated trade feeds to isolate wash trading and fake liquidity, releasing over 200 analytical reports on centralized trading venues before permanently ceasing operations and shutting down its website.
Organization and governance
The institute was a non-profit group of cryptocurrency and blockchain researchers.
Exchange surveillance and methodology
The core product centered on surveillance analytics and comparative market integrity metrics. BTI monitored crypto exchange data to identify wash trading and assess reported volume accuracy. In April 2019, the group launched the BTI Verified initiative, a self-regulatory program aimed at reducing wash trading and verifying authentic trading volumes. BTI Verified venues included Binance, Gemini, and bitFlyer.
Track record and milestones
The group published its second exchange rankings report in November 2018, followed by its December 2018 Exchange Volumes Report, which flagged wash trading across leading trading pairs. By September 2019, BTI reported that wash trading among the global top 40 exchanges had decreased by 35% since the inception of its verification program. In early 2020, the organization evaluated regional hubs, detailing real volume metrics across platforms like Bithumb, Upbit, and Coinone. Over its lifecycle, BTI published more than 200 research reports grading data accuracy across crypto markets.
Limitations and cessation of operations
The project discontinued all operations and closed its primary web domain, leaving its data tools inaccessible. Active market surveillance and Clean API services are no longer maintained, restricting its utility strictly to historical crypto market research.
Best for:Historical market data researchersAcademic studies on wash tradingArchival cryptocurrency compliance reviews
Pros and cons
Pros
- Published over 200 investigative reports on exchange volume manipulation
- Operated as a non-profit group
Cons
- Permanently shut down with an inactive website
- Live market feeds and API endpoints are completely offline
- Historical rankings cannot reflect present-day trading venues
Our review
2.8/5
Weak
The Blockchain Transparency Institute exposed widespread exchange wash trading across 200 reports, but the project has ceased operations and its website is offline.
The Blockchain Transparency Institute operated as a non-profit crypto research group focused on exchange surveillance and market manipulation. The group evaluated centralized trading venues by stripping out fake volume and published over 200 surveillance studies before shutting down operations.
Its primary focus was uncovering wash trading and inaccurate trading data. Through initiatives like the BTI Verified program launched in April 2019, the organization audited major platforms including Binance, Gemini, bitFlyer, and Indodax. It reported that global wash trading among the top 40 exchanges fell by 35 percent following the launch of the verification program. In addition to exchange audits, BTI evaluated tokens such as Basic Attention Token, USD Coin, and BNB to determine which assets had the cleanest organic trading volume across monitored venues.
The service had clear strengths during its active years:
- Public research reports that isolated authentic exchange volume from manipulated activity.
- The BTI Verified initiative, a self-regulatory program aimed at reducing wash trading and verifying authentic trading volumes.
- Direct surveillance tracking of trading pairs and reports on exchanges with manipulated volume.
The primary drawback is that the organization has shut down. Its website is inactive and its Clean API data is no longer maintained.
Sources (1)
Specs
| Tool type | Research, Market data · unverified |
|---|---|
| API access | Yes · unverified |
Not disclosed by the provider: Free plan, Paid plans from (per month), Chains covered, Alerts, Mobile app, Wallet tracking, NFT data, CSV export.
Data from the provider's website and public sources. Fees and availability change; confirm on the official site before you sign up.
Key features
Wash trading detection
Evaluated exchange volume data to calculate the percentage of artificial volume across specific pairs.
BTI Verified program
Offered an exchange auditing initiative that monitored trading platforms to verify real volume standards.
Exchange surveillance reports
Published periodic rankings grading crypto exchanges and data platforms on the accuracy of their trade reporting.
Token volume verification
Tracked individual digital assets and stablecoins to flag tokens trading on venues with high fake volume.
Historical Clean API
Delivered adjusted market data feeds designed to filter out wash trading before the organization ceased operations.
Inside Blockchain Transparency Institute
BTI Exchange Rankings & Surveillance Reports
Research publications that graded cryptocurrency exchanges on reported volume accuracy and stripped out wash trading across trading pairs.
BTI Verified Initiative
A self-regulatory verification program launched in April 2019 to benchmark clean volume and encourage transparency across centralized exchanges.
User reviews
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FAQ
What was the Blockchain Transparency Institute?
The Blockchain Transparency Institute was a non-profit cryptocurrency research and analytics organization. It focused on tracking market manipulation and identifying wash trading on crypto exchanges.
Is the Blockchain Transparency Institute still active?
No, the Blockchain Transparency Institute has ceased operations. Its official website is shut down and no new research is published.
What was the BTI Verified initiative?
BTI Verified was a self-regulatory program introduced in April 2019 to verify authentic exchange volumes. Participating venues included Binance, Gemini, bitFlyer, and Indodax.
How many reports did Blockchain Transparency Institute publish?
The organization published more than 200 research reports analyzing crypto exchange integrity and trading data accuracy.
Latest from Blockchain Transparency Institute on X
3 Korean exchanges in the BTI Top10. @BithumbOfficial leads the first half of 2020 at #3 followed closely by #4 @upbitglobal with @CoinoneOfficial rounding out the top 10.
@ProBit_Exchange exchange found to be faking most of their volume.
Full report: https://t.co/V3K4puIVuQ https://t.co/uqqQj8NiUy
@ProBit_Exchange exchange found to be faking most of their volume.
Full report: https://t.co/V3K4puIVuQ https://t.co/uqqQj8NiUy
Indeed most of the volume on Bitrue is being faked and is still fooling the new ranking system put in by @CoinMarketCap, however @coingecko shows only 8% of their volume is real and gives them a low Trust Score.
This is why projects should not deal with exchanges faking over 99% of their volume. Contact us before paying a listing fee in the future and we will be glad to help out!
Latest BTI report! We've been able to reduce global top 40 exchange wash trading by 35% since we launched the BTI Verified program in April. New BTI Verified exchanges include @binance, @Gemini, @bitFlyer, and @indodax. See the full September report: https://t.co/UGqm6CXHl9
Recent public posts from @bti___, shown as published. Not reviewed or endorsed by CryptoReview.
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