There are tons of free resources available to crypto traders/investors, you just need to know where to look! In this article, we’ll highlight the best tracking, researching, analyzing, news, and data resources available to traders, all for free!
Written by: Mike Martin | Updated March 21, 2024
Reviewed by: Ryan Grace
Fact checked by: Laurence Willows
Table of Contents
Summary
| Tool | Category | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| CoinMarketCap | Data Aggregator | Most-established and referenced site in crypto with a plethora of features. |
| CoinGecko | Data Aggregator | Community driven platform focused on DeFi and NFT market data. |
| Coin360 | Data Visualization | Provides effective heat maps for quick market analysis. |
| Messari | Research & Data | Offers protocol research and comparative analysis with a multitude of features. |
| Token Terminal | Data Aggregator | Comprehensive data aggregator focusing on various market sectors and DeFi project tokenomics. |
| Dapp Radar | Community Governed | Excellent resource for discovering popular dApps with multichain data coverage. |
| GlassNode | Blockchain Data | Offers advanced metrics and customizable dashboards for comprehensive blockchain data analysis. |
| Dune Analytics | Research | Provides user-generated Ethereum dashboards and extensive published research reports. |
| Chainalysis | Blockchain Analytics | Standard for reliable blockchain analytics and free ‘state of’ blockchain reports. |
| The Block | Crypto Asset Coverage | Comprehensive coverage with in-depth analysis, research, news, and expert opinions. |
| DeFi Llama | DeFi Tools | Real-time data on TVL, token prices, trading volumes, and DeFi project comparison. |
| CryptoPanic | News Aggregator | Aggregates news from top crypto newsdesks, providing a one-stop platform for crypto news. |
| CoinDesk | News | Most popular website for crypto news with live video programming on CoinDesk TV. |
| Decrypt | News | Offers a broad range of crypto news with expert reporters covering niche sectors. |
| Cointelegraph | News | Provides macro perspective of crypto with highly engaged community and diverse content. |
| Coindar | Event Calendars | Customizable alerts and real-time event calendar for upcoming crypto events. |
| Etherscan | Block Explorer | Provides a record of every transaction on the Ethereum mainnet. |
| Blockchain.com | Block Explorer | Tracks all Bitcoin transactions with additional resources and a learning academy. |
| Nansen | NFT Research | Offers NFT market analytics, NFT rarity rankings, and smart transaction history. |
| TradingView | Charting Tools | Offers advanced charting tools and indicators for technical analysis. |
| Cryptowatch | Charting Tools | Provides a range of charting tools and live price tracking. |
| GoCharting | Charting Tools | Advanced charting platform with various tools for technical analysis. |
| Coinigy | Charting Tools | Comprehensive charting tools and market data for professional traders. |
Crypto Data Aggregators and Trackers
1. CoinMarketCap
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Most-established and referenced site in crypto
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Free data on thousands of cryptocurrencies
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iOS and Android applications in addition to a web interface
CoinMarketCap, owned by Binance, is one of the most referenced sites for real-time crypto market caps and prices. In addition to tracking digital asset prices, this website provides news updates, portfolio tracking, portfolio management tools, and watchlists.
Crypto market cap is an important metric in crypto as this number tells us the total value of all the coins or tokens in circulation.
As we can see in the above image from CoinMarketCap, the market cap for bitcoin (BTC) is about $484b, which represents about half of the entire cryptocurrency market!
CoinMarketCap also provides other valuable insights, such as the trading volume of popular CEXs like Coinbase.
2. CoinGecko
DeFi and NFT-focused market data
Community driven platform
API access
Web, Android, and iOS platforms
Like CoinMarketCap, CoinGecko is another popular free platform for tracking crypto market data. Unlike CoinMaretCap, however, CoinGecko is not owned by a centralized entity. Additionally, this platform is known for having a more intuitive interface when compared to CoinMarketCap.
CoinGecko also offers a more in-depth fundamental analysis of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and decentralized finance (DeFi).
📙 Read more: CoinMarketCap vs CoinGecko
3. Coin360 (heat maps)
3D data visualization for crypto
Heat maps for numerous crypto segments
Portfolio tracking and alerts
I love Coin360. It is one of the few crypto platforms that offer heatmaps that actually work. Instead of combing through page after page of crypto data, heatmaps allow you to get a snapshot of the day’s winners and losers in a flash.
In addition to crypto, Coin360 also offers market insights, portfolio tracking, and heat maps for NFT collections!
4. Messari
Protocol research
Live price screens
Tokenomics dashboards
Historical Data & Charts
Personalized Watchlists
Governance Platform
According to the Messari website, this platform:
“...separates the signal from noise so that you can cover more assets with fewer resources.”
Messari is another platform I engage with on a daily basis. My favorite feature of Messari is their smart contract (protocol) comparison. Everything is relative in crypto, and this comparison tool makes comparing projects a breeze.
5. Token Terminal
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Crypto data aggregator
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Market sector analysis
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Derivatives (options and perpetuals)
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DeFi project tokenomics
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List of project financial statements
Token Terminal is a crypto platform that aggregates crypto data from on-chain DeFi decentralized applications (dApps). It’s the favorite crypto resource of Ryan Grace, the head of tastycrypto. And for good reason.
Token Terminal has too many resources to list here. Check out the platform dashboard here!
6. Dapp Radar
Community governed
The best resource for discovering popular dApps
Multichain data and DeFi protocol overage
DappRadar is a great resource for discovering new and old decentralized applications, or dApps. DappRadar is also a decentralized protocol that comes with its own token: RADAR.
DappRadar is perhaps best known for its Industry Reports, which provide valuable insights into the state of dApps, or decentralized applications.
🍒 How to Use Dex Screener: 2024 Guide
Crypto Analysis and Research Tools
1. GlassNode
Comprehensive blockchain data
Customizable dashboards
Advanced metrics
Glassnode is perhaps best known for its ‘Studio’.
Their Studio offers a very friendly user interface that lets visitors dive deep into blockchain data metrics like liquidity and volatility. It’s truly a valuable crypto trading tool. Here are just a few of the different real-time data sets they offer on the Ethereum blockchain:
2. Dune Analytics
User-generated Ethereum dashboards
Anyone can create any report they want with SQL
Free access to thousands of published research reports
Dune Analytics gets into the nitty gritty with all things on-chain data. In order to create reports on Dune, you’ll need some SQL knowledge.
However, all users have access to previously published reports, which number in the thousands. I find these reports incredibly helpful (which you’ll know if you follow our Twitter account!)
For example, here is just a snippet of a report that covers all DEXs, or decentralized crypto exchanges, on the Ethereum network.
3. Chainalysis
Reliable blockchain analytics
Free ‘state of’ blockchain reports
DeFi coverage
Chainalysis is the standard when it comes to understanding the state of blockchain. Though their main business is helping crypto companies conform to compliance regulations, they dish out tons of valuable content to the public for free as well. You’ll have to give them your email address to get the reports, but it’s worth it!
You can check out their ‘State of Web3’ report here.
4. The Block
Comprehensive crypto asset coverage
In-depth analysis and research
News, interviews, and expert opinions
The Block provides a full suite of products. From its news publication to its data center, this company has it all. This platform also offers off-chain crypto data on centralized exchanges like Coinbase, Kraken, and Gemini.
The Block Pro extends upon these features, but this subscription is a little too rich for my blood.
The free version suffices for me. Here’s a screenshot of the ‘Bitcoin’ dashboard in the data center.
Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Tools
1. DeFi Llama
Real-time data on TVL (total value locked), token prices, and trading volumes
DeFi portfolio tracker
Explore and compare DeFi projects
If you have ever done anything in decentralized finance (DeFi), then you are probably aware of DeFiLlama. Goofy name – amazing platform.
Whether you’re debating which protocol to connect your self-custody wallet with to stake crypto on or which DeFi token to invest in, DeFiLlama has you covered.
Crypto News and Information Websites
1. CryptoPanic
Crypto news aggregator
Offers free API
You only need one source for your crypto news, and that is CryptoPanic. This free platform aggregates news from all the top crypto newsdesks, including TheBlock, Cointelegraph, CoinDesk, and CryptoSlate.
This site also offers the ability to categorize news, so you can focus on what matters to you.
2. CoinDesk
Most popular website for crypto news
Offers live video programming on CoindeskTV
CoinDesk is the highest-cited crypto news publication in the crypto industry. When the world wants to know what’s going on in crypto, they ask CoinDesk.
They are frequently featured in top-tier publications including The Wall Street Journal and Financial Times.
They also have live programming on CoinDesk TV!
3. Decrypt
Broad range of crypto news
Expert reporters covering niche sectors
Decrypt falls into my top 3 favorite crypto news outlets. If you want to get a little more granular with your crypto news and go deeper into subjects such as DeFi, Decrypt is a great free news resource.
4. Cointelegraph
Macro perspective of crypto
Highly engaged community
Cointelegraph provides comprehensive news stories from a global perspective. Its diverse content range makes it my third favorite source for crypto news. It also provides great insight for crypto trading strategies.
Event Calendars
1. Coindar
Customizable alerts
Real-time event calendar
Categorized listings
Coindar is the go-to platform to see what’s coming next in crypto. Events on Coindar include token launches, conferences, and meetups.
Block Explorers
1. Etherscan
Provides a record of every transaction on the Ethereum mainnet
Useful for tax purposes
If you trade crypto long enough, something is prone to go wrong. Maybe your ether (ETH) transaction wasn’t validated fast enough. Or perhaps you sent crypto to the wrong address.
Ethercan gives crypto participants access to every single transaction that ever happened on the Ethereum mainnet. By simply entering your crypto wallet’s public address, you have access to every transaction you have validated – which helps when tax season comes around.
2. Blockchain.com
Tracks all Bitcoin transaction
Search by transaction, address, and block
Blockchain.com is the go-to block explorer for the Bitcoin network. In addition to being a basic block explorer, this platform offers charts, crypto resources, and a learning academy.
NFT Research
1. Nansen (NFTs)
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NFT market analytics
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NFT rarity rankings
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Smart transaction history
We didn’t forget about the NFT investors! In the world of non-fungible tokens, Nansen provides valuable insights into the NFT market. It also ranks NFT rarity across different collections.
Technical Analysis Charting Tools
Let’s conclude our list by looking at a few platforms that offer technical indicator charting research in crypto.
FAQs
What is the best tool to analyze crypto?
CoinMarketCap and CoinGecko are leaders in crypto analysis.
What is the best crypto research site?
Some of the best crypto research sites include Messari, Dune, and Glassnode.
What are the 2 types of crypto analysis?
There are two types of analysis in crypto: fundamental and technical. Fundamental analysis deals with the overall health of a protocol/project, while technical analysis focuses on various charting metrics.
What is the difference between a crypto analysis and a crypto forecast?
Crypto analysis focuses on the current state of a crypto project while a crypto forecast aims to predict the future price of a project/token.
Mike Martin
Mike Martin serves as the Head of Content for tastycrypto. Before joining tastycrypto, Michael worked in the active trader divisions of thinkorswim, TD Ameritrade, and Charles Schwab. He also served as a writer and editor for projectfinance.
Michael has been active in the crypto community since 2017. He holds certifications from Duke University in decentralized finance (DeFi) and blockchain technology.
Contact: Mike@tastycrypto.com
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