Dune: Your Ultimate Analytical Resource Guide

Dune positions itself as a platform providing crypto-data for and by the community. Anyone who wishes to write articles, conduct analytics, or create infographics is welcome to do so. As a result, the resource is replete with a vast amount of information and useful data.

Origins

Dune, a cryptocurrency platform, was established by Mats Olsen and Fredrik Haga, who were previously employed by the Norwegian financial corporation, Schibsted Media Group. In 2018, these two talented developers of smart contracts and analytical tools opted to create their own enterprise focused on harnessing blockchain technology as its foundation.

For several years, Dune thrived exclusively on its founders' resources and financial support. In 2020, the company successfully concluded its inaugural investment round, amassing $2 million. Subsequently, two more funding rounds were organized, resulting in a total investment of $77.4 million in Dune. 

Dune Analytics' investment chronicle, Source: Crunchbase

Prominent investors encompassed cryptocurrency funds like Dragonfly, Multicoin Capital, Coatue, Coingecko, and the venture division of the Binance crypto exchange, as well as an array of other organizations.

Getting Started

To embark on utilizing Dune, individuals are required to create an account using their email address and a password. Dune identifies itself as a Web3 service; thus, after the registration process, users have the option to connect their personal crypto wallet (for example, MetaMask) to their account. Once this step is completed, access to the platform can solely be obtained via the wallet.

Syncing your crypto wallet in your Dune personal account (dune.com)

In the account settings, users can input personal details such as their company or community name, social media links, a succinct description, and other pertinent information. This feature allows people to engage with the authors of analytical content.

Types of data on Dune

Dune, a crypto resource, collects and organizes data from multiple blockchains, presenting it through charts, statistics, dashboards, and other formats. 

The types of data available on Dune include:

● Trading volumes on various exchanges, NFT marketplaces, or specific non-fungible token collections;

● Analysis of documentation, whitepapers, and token economics for diverse projects;

● Guides for claiming retrospective drops and instructions for using test networks (Testnet);

● Market analysis and trading analytics;

● Reviews of DeFi protocols, lending platforms, DEX, staking, and liquidity farming programs;

● Informational materials on cybersecurity;

● Analytical data on fees for different networks, reviews, and tracking of cryptocurrency wallets and their on-chain activity.

To explore a particular resource, enter its name in the “Search” field or visit the “Discover” section, where you can filter data according to the required parameter or category.

The “Discover” section featuring the most popular articles and categories. (dune.com)

Dune processes information using SQL (Structured Query Language) databases, which enables efficient interaction with independent authors and provides a comprehensive range of data across various resources. Consequently, Dune generates high-quality materials, and its analytics accurately reflect the current situation.

Analysis of the GMX platform on Dune (dune.com)

Dune's main figures

As for the community and active participants interacting with Dune, they can be divided into three types:

● Regular users who consume content and visit Dune with specific informational queries;

● Experts in queries and analytical information capable of creating content;

● “Dune Wizards” – the highest category of experts with extensive SQL knowledge and elevated privileges for content publication.

Authors on the Dune platform receive financial rewards for their materials. Their earnings depend entirely on their reputation and the popularity of the information they provide.

How to become a dashboard or content author on Dune?

To publish your analytics, you need to understand how SQL works and how to gather data for your materials. Experienced developers can learn this programming language in 2-3 weeks, but newcomers may face more significant challenges.

To create data analytics, follow these steps:

● Go to the “New Query” section;

● Choose the blockchain you will work with and the one from which you need to gather data;

● Search for a dataset using specific tags and create your dashboard.

User settings for creating custom content on Dune. (dune.com)

Additionally, Dune features the Dune Engine V2 algorithm, currently in beta testing, which allows users to search for particular projects, protocols, and relevant information about them.

Dune: Driven by profit

Dune is supported not only by funds and institutional investors, but also by its users. As mentioned, top dashboard authors receive rewards for their work. 

Dune offers a variety of paid subscriptions for users to gain access to exclusive research and insider knowledge. The “Thug Life” status will set you back $420 a month, while the “Elite” plan is $1337.

Account plans and pricing. (dune.com)

Cryptocurrency companies are the ones who usually purchase these plans as they require a large amount of data on their own initiatives or their competitors' products. Ordinary users can make do with the standard free subscription.

The big picture

Dune is a versatile cryptocurrency resource with a progressive mechanism for updating data. The platform is suitable for both regular users and owners of cryptocurrency startups and projects who require up-to-date information on various topics.

To become a skilled author on Dune, one needs to have a basic understanding of the SQL language, which is used to update and refresh the data on the platform. Dune also allows users to filter materials, add dashboards to their favorites, and earn income for their research.