Blockchain analytics firm Dune announced three major updates designed to improve the transparency and security of data in the entire blockchain ecosystem, during its first in-person annual event called DuneCon, held in Bangkok, Thailand.
Dune debuted its Dune Echo analytics platform, announced the takeover of the blockchain company smlXL, and rolled out a new full-spectrum cybercrime metric for crypto.
It is taking a step forward in blockchain analytics with several announcements that demonstrate Dune’s open-source commitment to developers and belief in greater transparency across the entire blockchain industry.
Dune Goes Live with Dune Echo
Dune went live with Dune Echo, its latest platform at the event. Echo aims to be one of the quickest data platforms on offer, created to provide real-time access to blockchain information over a selection of 30 networks including Ethereum and its Layer 2 solutions as well as Solana at launch.
Dune already provides blockchain data within 300 milliseconds of block propagation with what it claims are best-in-class latencies in the industry. With this very fast access to data, developers can follow token balance, account activity, and transaction information on an almost real-time basis.
Dune allows this kind of real-time access and does so to simplify the development process for application creators, to expose structured information in ways that can make super smooth user experiences possible, or as a means for innovation in the blockchain space.
Mats Olsen, co-founder and CTO of Dune, said, “We built Echo so that account and protocol data can be made available in real-time without complex development pipelines or costly data licensing—creating faster, more dynamic user experiences.”
Now developers can harness this new capability to receive immediate insights into activity on the blockchain, adapt their apps fast, and make them more functional and engaging for users.
Dune Acquires a16z-Backed smlXL
Compounding the DuneCon announcement block party, Dune announced its acquisition of blockchain analytics company smlXL, with capital from mega VC Andreessen Horowitz (a16z).
SmlXL is known for its use case in simulating real-time blockchain transactions—a sought-after characteristic for developers working on EVM-compatible networks that demand flexibility and agility to build with constant real-time data. The financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed, but Dune CEO Fredrik Haga commended SmlXL for building a “game-changing new way” to receive flexible EVM data in real-time.
Partnering up will make it 10x easier for developers to build on-chain data solutions. This acquisition allows Dune to better empower developers via faster, easier access to richer, scalable data that will facilitate further blockchain adoption.
Dune Steps to Prevent Cyber Attacks
News that Dune was launching a public database for cyberattacks on protocols spread like wildfire after its announcements were amplified even more through the recent launch of its “Hacks, Exploits, and Social Engineering Dashboard,” which is focused on tracking and documenting activity relating to cybercrime in blockchain.
That dashboard, which monitors hacks, exploits, and phishing attacks, is part of one of the most extensive attempts to measure and combat crime in the sector. More than 5,500 cases have been recorded, estimating $2.5 billion lost to different cybercrimes since 2016.
With all of these advancements, Dune is about to crack and tackle problems that have been some of the biggest blockers for blockchain achieving mass adoption, like data not being very transparent and tools for developers being lacklustre.
With Dune Echo offering developer empowerment, with smlXL supporting simulation and analytics, and illuminating risks in the ecosystem through an expansive cybercrime dashboard, Dune’s goal is to make blockchain both more accessible and safe.