DeFiLlama Accuses Blockworks of Reselling Free Data on Paid Platform During News Shutdown

• Accusation timing: Made on the same day Blockworks revealed its shift away from news to data business.

• Blockworks response: Claimed DeFiLlama data was deprecated months ago, but founder disputed with evidence of recent updates.

• Community impact: Widespread backlash on X, with users criticizing Blockworks’ layoffs and data practices, amassing high engagement.

Discover the DeFiLlama Blockworks accusation sparking crypto community outrage over data misuse and newsroom shutdowns. Explore key details and implications for DeFi transparency. Stay informed on industry shifts today.

What is the DeFiLlama Blockworks accusation about?

The DeFiLlama Blockworks accusation centers on claims that Blockworks is reselling free data from DeFiLlama on its paid analytics platform for $4,500 annually, despite agreeing to remove it after terms of service changes. DeFiLlama founder 0xngmi highlighted this publicly on X, sharing screenshots of active charts pulling recent data. This unfolded as Blockworks announced pivoting fully to software and data, citing matured crypto media and strong data division growth.

How did Blockworks respond to the DeFiLlama data misuse claims?

Blockworks’ head of data, Dan Smith, countered the accusation by stating that DeFiLlama data integration was deprecated months earlier following direct discussions via direct messages. He described the visible charts as legacy artifacts in their dashboard builder, not actively updated or in use. However, 0xngmi refuted this, pointing to October 2025 data in one chart, escalating the exchange. Community metrics on X showed stronger support for DeFiLlama, with replies gaining more likes, indicating perceived transparency issues. According to on-chain analytics experts, such disputes underscore the need for clear data sourcing in DeFi tools, as echoed by industry observers like those at Messari, who emphasize compliance in data aggregation without direct access to proprietary feeds.

The broader context involves Blockworks’ strategic announcement on the same day. Co-founder and CEO Jason Yanowitz detailed the company’s evolution since 2017, when it aimed to solve crypto’s “information problem” amid rapid expansion and sparse reliable reporting. Over the years, Blockworks expanded into events, podcasts, research, data dashboards, and a newsroom, achieving record revenues in 2025 and projecting similar for 2026, driven by surging demand in data products.

Yanowitz highlighted that investors and crypto protocols depend on Blockworks’ data daily, viewing it as the firm’s prime growth area. He affirmed the exit from news operations, noting crypto media’s maturation where users favor interactive dashboards over articles. Gratitude was extended to the news team, with an invitation for other firms to hire them, while committing to ongoing newsletters, podcasts, events, and the DAS conference in Abu Dhabi next year.

Source: 0xngmi/X

0xngmi’s quote on X read: “Blockworks becoming a data first org is cool I guess, but you guys could start by not reselling our free data for $4.5k/yr against our Terms of Services, even after telling us you had removed all our data when we asked. Screenshot from blockworks paid platform, 1 min ago.” The screenshot illustrated a chart seemingly sourced from DeFiLlama within Blockworks’ restricted access area.

Dan Smith’s reply emphasized: “The charts you showed don’t show any data as we deprecated use of dl data in the platform months ago following your change in ToS – as we discussed over DMs. This is an edge case where the dashboard builder shows all charts ever created, regardless if they exist/the data is updated. Thanks for not just dming it, bonus points for a splashy tweet.”

0xngmi fired back, labeling the response dishonest and verifying live DeFiLlama data in the ‘application revenue by chain’ visualization. Smith maintained it hadn’t updated since July, per prior communications, but 0xngmi countered with evidence of current-month figures. The thread’s engagement favored 0xngmi, signaling community alignment on data integrity concerns.

Discussions proliferated on X, with users debating terms of service adherence and platform accountability, sharing additional visuals and insights.

Frequently Asked Questions

What led to Blockworks shutting down its news division?

Blockworks’ decision stems from the maturation of crypto media, where data dashboards now dominate user preferences over traditional news articles. CEO Jason Yanowitz announced the pivot amid record 2025 revenues and projected 2026 growth, emphasizing the data business’s strength as protocols and investors rely on their analytics daily for informed decisions.

Is the DeFiLlama Blockworks accusation affecting industry trust in data providers?

Yes, the public dispute highlights vulnerabilities in data sourcing and compliance, prompting questions about transparency in paid analytics. As DeFiLlama provides free, open metrics, such allegations could erode confidence if unresolved, urging providers like Blockworks to prioritize verifiable practices for sustained credibility in the evolving crypto ecosystem.

Key Takeaways

• Data integrity in DeFi: Accusations like this reinforce the importance of respecting terms of service in aggregating free resources, protecting open-source contributions.
• Business pivots in crypto media: Blockworks’ shift to data underscores a trend where interactive tools outpace narrative reporting, driven by user demand and revenue potential.
• Community influence: High X engagement shows how social platforms amplify accountability, pressuring firms to address concerns swiftly to maintain reputation.

Conclusion

The DeFiLlama Blockworks accusation illuminates ongoing tensions in DeFi data practices and crypto media evolution, as Blockworks transitions to a data-centric model amid community scrutiny over newsroom layoffs and alleged misuse. With expert voices from firms like Chainalysis stressing ethical data handling, this incident serves as a reminder for transparency. As the sector advances, stakeholders should monitor these dynamics to foster trust and innovation in DeFi analytics.