Open Arsenal

From Shell to Source

ShellScan is an open-source platform built to bring clarity to one of the most opaque areas of the global economy—corporate ownership and financial networks. At its core, ShellScan maps relationships between financial institutions, shell companies, subsidiaries, and the individuals who control them. By aggregating data from regulatory filings, public records, and global registries, it transforms fragmented information into a structured, searchable network that reveals how entities are connected across jurisdictions.

What sets ShellScan apart is its use of AI-driven analysis layered on top of this data. The platform doesn’t just display ownership—it actively detects patterns that may indicate opacity or risk. This includes identifying circular ownership structures, uncovering hidden influence paths, tracking board interlocks, and flagging unusual changes in corporate structure. Predictive models extend this further by estimating the likelihood of new shell formations, potential regulatory issues, or systemic vulnerabilities within financial networks.

The visualization capabilities are equally central to the platform. ShellScan presents complex relationships through interactive network graphs, timeline views, and geospatial mapping. Users can explore how a single officer connects to multiple institutions, trace ownership chains across borders, or watch how a company’s structure evolves over time. These tools make it accessible not just to developers, but also to journalists, researchers, and policymakers who need to interpret complex financial relationships quickly.

Beyond analysis, ShellScan is designed as a collaborative and transparent ecosystem. It supports public APIs, exportable datasets, and community contributions, allowing users to verify, expand, and build upon the data. With features like real-time alerts, automated reporting, and policy simulation tools, it moves from being a static database to a proactive intelligence system—helping users monitor changes, anticipate risks, and better understand the structure of the financial world.