Dune announces 25% layoffs to shift toward AI! Analyzing the survival strategies of on-chain data giants and automation

On-Chain Data Platform Dune Announces 25% Layoffs and Shifts Focus to AI and Institutional-Grade Services. Future plans include developing an AI-native platform to provide real-time insights.

Dune Announces 25% Layoffs and Fully Shifts Toward AI and Institutional-Grade Products

On-chain data platform Dune recently announced approximately 25% layoffs, with the company planning to allocate more resources toward AI-driven products, institutional data services, and automation analysis tools, aiming to improve product efficiency and commercialization capabilities.

Image source: X/@hagaetc On-chain data platform Dune recently announced approximately 25% layoffs, with the company planning to allocate more resources toward AI

According to CEO Fredrik Haga’s post, the layoffs mainly target roles with repetitive tasks that can be assisted by AI, while the company is simultaneously expanding AI engineering, data infrastructure, and enterprise service teams. Dune management pointed out that AI has begun to change the product models and usage habits in the on-chain data industry, with market demand gradually shifting from manual query analysis to real-time insight generation.

Dune, known for open SQL queries and on-chain data dashboards, has been regarded as one of the most representative data platforms in the crypto industry. Many researchers, traders, VCs, and media have long relied on Dune to analyze on-chain activity, DeFi flows, and protocol data.

AI Begins Reshaping the On-Chain Data Industry

In recent years, the core value of crypto data platforms has been helping users extract information from vast on-chain data. However, as large language models and AI agents rapidly mature, the data industry is facing a new wave of structural transformation.

Dune states that future product directions will lean more toward “AI-native data platforms,” enabling users to perform queries, generate charts, and build analysis models through natural language. The market perceives that on-chain data platforms are gradually shifting from database tools to AI analysis assistants.

Over the past year, crypto data companies like Nansen, Arkham, Glassnode, and Token Terminal have also been strengthening AI and automation features. Some platforms are beginning to offer AI summaries, risk alerts, automated research reports, and real-time on-chain anomaly monitoring, aiming to lower entry barriers and attract more institutional clients.

The advent of AI has also prompted industries heavily reliant on manual research and data analysis to reassess their staffing. Especially as the crypto market enters a phase of low volatility and tighter regulation, companies are placing greater emphasis on product efficiency and revenue generation.

Institutional Demand Upgrades, Crypto Data Market Begins Transformation

Dune’s shift toward AI is also driven by changing institutional market demands. As Bitcoin ETFs, stablecoin payments, and RWA markets grow rapidly, more traditional financial institutions are entering the on-chain world, increasing the need for professional data infrastructure.

Previously, crypto data platforms mainly served researchers and retail traders; now, their client base is expanding to hedge funds, banks, market makers, and payment companies. These institutions prioritize real-time risk control, compliance monitoring, and cross-chain fund flow analysis, prompting data platforms to transition toward enterprise-grade services.

It is widely believed that AI will accelerate this transformation. The future competition among on-chain data platforms will increasingly focus on data processing efficiency, model capabilities, and decision-making speed.

Crypto Industry Enters AI and Automation Restructuring Phase

Dune’s layoffs and AI transformation also reflect a broader restructuring phase in the crypto industry. Over the past two years, crypto companies have massively expanded research, content, and operations teams, but as AI tools become more mature, many tasks that previously required extensive manual effort are now being automated.

Particularly in on-chain analysis, customer service, research summaries, content generation, and risk monitoring, AI has gradually become a standard tool. Some crypto firms have even begun deploying AI agents to handle trading strategies, compliance processes, and market surveillance.

However, skepticism about AI adoption remains. Some researchers worry that over-reliance on AI summaries and automated analysis could degrade the quality of on-chain research, or cause neglect of complex market contexts and anomaly signals.

For Dune, this round of layoffs and transformation is more of a strategic realignment. As on-chain data continues to grow explosively, AI and automation tools are likely to become the core competitive advantages in the next phase of the crypto data industry.