Dune

Tool Description : A blockchain analytics platform that lets you explore and analyse data from cryptocurrencies and decentralised applications.

Dune

Quick Overview

URL

https://dune.com/home

What it does

Dune allows users to query and visualise blockchain data (like transactions, wallets, and smart contracts) using dashboards and charts.

How to use it

You can search for pre-built dashboards or create your own queries using SQL to explore blockchain data.

Cost

Partially free

Account required

No for basic use. Yes for creating queries and saving work.

Analytics, security, and functionality cookies.

Ownership

Owned by its Norwegian founders, Fredrik Haga and Mats Olsen, and several venture capital firms

Use in Reporting

Useful for tracking cryptocurrency flows, identifying wallet activity, and supporting investigations with visual data.

What does Dune do?

Dune is a blockchain analytics platform that turns complex, public crypto data into easy-to-read dashboards and charts, letting anyone explore transactions, wallets, and on-chain activity for research, reporting, or investigations.

You can use it to:

Track transactions between wallets.
Analyse trends (e.g., NFT sales, DeFi usage).
Investigate suspicious crypto activity.
Monitor specific projects or tokens.

The lowdown: Dune essentially lets you ‘look inside’ blockchains like Ethereum. It’s especially useful for OSINT investigations involving crypto activity, wallets, and transactions

How to Use:

Start by searching for existing dashboards related to your topic (e.g., wallets, tokens, scams).

Run or customise queries. Use SQL queries (or copy existing ones) to dig deeper into blockchain data.

3. Visualise and interpret the data. For example, you can turn results into charts or graphs to better understand patterns and trends.

Cost:

Paid
Partially Free
Free

Free access to many dashboards. Paid tiers for advanced features.

Data Processing

Account required:

No for basic use. Yes for creating queries and saving work.

Cookies:

Dune uses a mix of analytics cookies (including Google Analytics and HubSpot) to track user behaviour, along with security cookies from Cloudflare and CSRF protection to keep the platform safe and functioning properly.

Use in Reporting

Dune is especially useful for:

Tracking cryptocurrency transactions
Identifying wallet connections
Visualising financial flows
Supporting investigations into scams or fraud
Presenting data in charts and dashboards

It has been used in real investigations to track billions of dollars in stolen cryptocurrency, helping analysts trace fund movements and uncover patterns in crypto-related crime. See here.

Capabilities

Limitations

Analyses public blockchain data.

Only works with supported blockchains.

Custom SQL querying for deep investigation.

Requires some SQL knowledge for advanced use.

Pre-built dashboards for quick insights.

Data can be complex and easy to misinterpret.

Visualisation tools (charts, graphs).

Does not reveal identities behind wallet addresses.

Advanced features may require a paid plan.

Summary

Dune is a powerful OSINT tool for analysing blockchain data, slotting into the technical data collection and analysis stages of the OSINT workflow. It helps turn complex crypto transactions into clear, visual insights, making it easier to investigate activity on networks like Ethereum, although it can be tricky for beginners.

Ownership

Dune is a private, venture-backed company founded in 2018 by Fredrik Haga and Mats Olsen in Oslo, Norway. The company is owned by its founders and several venture capital firms, including Coatue, Dragonfly Capital, and Multicoin Capital.

Ethical Considerations:

Blockchain data is public, but linking wallets to real people can raise privacy concerns.
Avoid making assumptions about identity without strong evidence.
Use responsibly, especially in financial investigations.
Be aware of legal and regulatory considerations when analysing crypto activity.