> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.arcology.network/arcology-architecture-overview/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.arcology.network/arcology-architecture-overview/merkle.md).

# Merkle

The Hashing service supports all types of Merkle tree related functionalities. The service only answers Merkle proofs queries from external parties.

## 1. Parallelization

Arcology’s Merkle tree design provides high level of parallelization. The tree can be updated in batch mode, in which millions of hashes are added to the tree altogether at the end of each block cycle.

## 2. Data Separation

The state data are stored and handled in other DBs. which are completely independent from the Merkle service. It is the storage service’s responsibility to interact directly with state access requests from VMS. The Merkle service only takes care of Merkle tree query and updates. It is purely a tree of hashes of the state data and it doesn’t contain any the state data themselves.


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