Hey hugeblack!
The algorithm is a very beta python code, includes other libraries and APIs.
So scores come from automated queries and from user answers. The only one possible modification is that what matters more to the final score. We think security is the most important, the second is popularity (in 2019 august this is the most accurate number, see below), and fees are the third today. Community and user interface are less important in the final score, later they will be increased if we have more precise data.
So in 2019 august, the score categories are:
- Popularity - Based on last month traffic (Similarweb)
- Fees - Withdraw and trading fees (ccxt)
- UI - Google page insight score (not so perfect, but with user reviews, it will be finer)
- Community - Number of Github repos containing the exchange's name. (Its score will be merged with Popularity, and we will add a new Liquidity score later.)
- Security - yeah, that's a secret now, cause we don't want to make easier to cheat the beta algorithm. That's not perfect, but now it returns perfectly well what we think about exchanges. By chance (or not), but pretty good. Also, that's why the algorithm isn't open-source, but it's planned. We contacted some companies that deal with more detailed website security analysis. After we found a better one, it will be open-source.
In some weeks, all data (what matters in the score) will be public on the exchange's page (that also will be more useable information for visitors).
- What is the algorithm by which platforms are rated and evaluated? - We want to list every crypto exchange, but now we have only ~100+. You can send a missing one after a short registration, and other people will vote to accept or reject your recommendation.
- How are assessments/reviews evaluated and filtered? - Every question has a weight, in the scoring process, they will be averaged. Of course, we try to filter out answers from non-reliable users. There are some honey pots for trolls and ReCaptcha. That will be an endless fight, but we deal with it really well.
- Is there any mechanism to ensure no manipulation? - As I said, we would like to make our algo open-source later. We want to be 100% transparent, but I said before, we have technical limits now. Of course, you can check each exchange monthly traffic, fees, security settings, etc. It will be the same on ChainScore, but in a 0-10 range.
- Have you taken into account the geographical factor? Regulatory laws? Being the foundation before the rest of the ratings. - Hmm. Not yet, but that's a good idea, maybe we need to create a different main page for China, America, and Europe. Also, we want to show later, where the exchanges are located.
I hope my answer was exhaustive. If you have more questions, feel to free to ask