Web3 Data Ecosystem Overview: A Three-Layer Architecture from the Ground Up

On January 3, 2009, the birth of the Bitcoin genesis block marked the origin of Web3 data. Unlike the data monopolized by giants in the Web2 world, Web3 data is stored on the blockchain, featuring characteristics of tamper-proof, traceability, and public transparency. These features not only return data sovereignty to individuals but also allow anyone to freely access and analyze this data. As the Web3 ecosystem develops and DApp applications diversify, the value of this data treasure trove is continuously increasing.

The data ecosystem of Web3 can be divided into three layers from the bottom up: node services, data indexing services, and data applications. This layered structure is similar to the concepts of IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS in Web2.

Node Service

In a blockchain network, nodes are divided into two main types: full nodes and light nodes. To address the technical and hardware threshold issues, many blockchain node service providers have emerged. These providers deploy and maintain blockchain nodes, offering efficient and convenient node service capabilities, including RPC interface access, data access, and staking services for some PoS chains.

Known blockchain node service providers in the market include:

1. A certain technology brand: Established in 2023, it provides stable and fast connectivity services for over 22 popular blockchain networks.

2. A certain infrastructure provider: Established in 2016, aimed at lowering the threshold for developers and users to access Ethereum data.

3. A blockchain development platform: Established in 2017, it provides services for blockchain developers to quickly connect to various blockchain networks.

4. A Web3 cloud platform: Established in 2017, dedicated to providing efficient and reliable blockchain services.

5. A certain distributed API infrastructure: The mainnet was launched in 2020, building a complete distributed network of blockchain nodes.

Data Indexing Service

Blockchain is essentially a database that stores blocks in chronological order. While querying data from a specific block is relatively simple, aggregate queries across multiple blocks can be very complex. Data indexing services were created to solve this problem.

Some high-performance public chains officially provide ready-to-use indexing service open-source software, usually operated by centralized node service providers. At the same time, there are also decentralized data indexing service providers. Data indexing services are mainly aimed at DApp developers, providing faster and more advanced data query interfaces.

Well-known data indexing services in the market include:

1. A decentralized data indexing network: launched in December 2020, it organizes complex blockchain information into a searchable format through custom subgraphs.

2. Certain domain services: Established in early 2017, it resolves human-readable domain names into computer-recognizable identifiers, such as Ethereum addresses, content hashes, etc.

Data Application

Data applications are primarily aimed at ordinary users, providing tools or products for blockchain data browsing, data analysis, market analysis, and more.

1. Blockchain Explorer: It is one of the most important infrastructures in the public chain ecosystem and is also the most used data application by users. Well-known blockchain explorers include a certain Ethereum explorer, a certain Solana explorer, etc.

2. Data Analysis Tools: Focused on the customization of data or vertical fields, aimed at professional data analysts or researchers. Commonly used data analysis tools include a certain SQL analysis platform, a certain visualization analysis platform, a certain DeFi information aggregator, a certain NFT analysis platform, and a certain enterprise data solution.

3. Market Analysis Tools: Used to analyze and visualize cryptocurrency market data, assess market trends, and assist in investment decisions, primarily aimed at professional investors. Notable market analysis tools include certain token analysis tools, certain blockchain data providers, certain DeFi portfolio trackers, certain on-chain analysis platforms, and certain DEX data sites, etc.

Web3 data has become a core asset, reflecting market dynamics, user behavior, and the overall health of the blockchain ecosystem. Every aspect of the Web3 data ecosystem contains tremendous potential and broad prospects, and it is believed that more innovations will emerge in the future.