Exclusive Interview with Hunter, Founder of Web3 Asset Data Platform RootData

Hunter is the co-founder of Chain Catcher and RootData. Chain Catcher is a Web3 media platform founded in early 2018, focusing on news, investment, and project dynamics, with teams in Vietnam, Japan, and South Korea. RootData is a Web3 asset data platform launched in 2022, providing a one-stop query for project, institution, and individual information, currently serving over 2 million users.

The Entrepreneurial Inspiration of RootData

Hunter stated that the entrepreneurial inspiration for RootData came from the pain points of searching for project information while being a chain hunter. At that time, there was no one-stop information platform for Web3, and querying project information required sifting through official websites, white papers, social media, etc., which was very cumbersome. With the rise of the Web3 investment and financing boom in 2021, the information became even more chaotic. They realized that Web3 also needed a data integration platform similar to Qichacha, so they launched the RootData project in early 2022, aiming to solve the problem of information asymmetry and make Web3 data more transparent and easier to query.

How RootData Breaks the Information Asymmetry in Web3

RootData primarily focuses on the following aspects:

1. Provide differentiated data, focusing on investment and financing, team, community information, and other "underwater data" not covered by platforms like CMC.

2. One-stop integration of on-chain and off-chain data, saving users the trouble of querying multiple platforms.

3. User-friendly design, all basic functions are free, and API interfaces are provided for B2B customers.

RootData can help entrepreneurs find investments, understand competitors and market conditions, and provide investors with information to avoid pitfalls and increase efficiency.

The Essence and Misunderstandings of Web3 Asset Data

Hunter explained that the essence of asset data is the transformation "from data to information," organizing raw data into readable information. The main challenge faced by RootData is:

1. Timeliness: Web3 changes rapidly, covering over 100,000 projects, and delays are inevitable.

2. Accuracy: Off-chain data is not as transparent as on-chain data and requires multi-party verification.

RootData ensures data accuracy through data traceability, user feedback, and regular verification. Hunter emphasizes that working with data is like writing an essay; there is no standard answer, and it needs to be continually refined.

The Differentiated Advantages of RootData

Compared to competitors like CMC, RootData's advantages are:

1. Focus on off-chain data, providing information on investment and financing, teams, community popularity, etc.

2. 1000+ tags for precise filtering.

3. Dynamic features such as X index analysis of project attention changes.

RootData draws on the advantages of CMC's simple interface and Messari's tagging, but focuses more on the Web3 field, with basic features available for free.

The Collection Function of RootData

The collection is an interactive feature of RootData that allows users to create and discuss project collections. Its highlights include:

1. User co-creation, increasing interactivity.

2. Supplement the information missing from the labels.

3. Form small communities to increase user stickiness.

RootData's Help for Web3 Beginners

RootData helps newcomers quickly understand projects and tracks, avoiding pitfalls by providing comprehensive project information, warning reminders, and tag navigation. Hunter suggests that newcomers practice more, using news and data platforms in conjunction to gradually integrate into Web3.

The data from RootData reflects user sentiment and trends

The popularity ranking of RootData reflects the focal points of user attention. Hunter has observed that users generally exhibit a tendency to chase highs and sell lows, as well as FOMO psychology. Current hot sectors include RWA, AI, and DeFi. RootData aims to assist users in making more rational decisions by providing comprehensive data.

Exploration of Derivative Business for RootData

RootData is exploring two directions for its derivative business: OTC trading matching and a points system. The long-term goal is to serve trading, but a compliant path needs to be identified. Currently, some profits are being realized through API collaborations and other methods.

Advice for Web3 Entrepreneurs

Hunter gives three pieces of advice to Web3 entrepreneurs:

1. Profit first, do not regard token issuance as the only way out.

2. Beware of false demand and focus on real user needs.

3. Stick to doing the right thing and avoid quick money projects.

He emphasized the need to "be true to one's conscience", to do what one believes is right, and to maintain a down-to-earth attitude in product development. Web3 requires more builders who promote transparency, trust, and rational development in the industry.