Research

APIs Explained: How They Work and Why They Matter

Learn what an API is, how APIs work, types and use cases, and practical steps to evaluate providers for AI, web, and crypto integrations.
Token Metrics Team
5
MIN

APIs power modern software: they let apps talk to each other, enable data sharing, and underpin many AI and crypto services. Whether you use a weather widget, connect to a payment gateway, or build an AI agent that queries market data, understanding what an API is will make you a smarter builder and researcher.

What is an API? A concise definition

An API, or application programming interface, is a set of rules and contracts that lets one software component request services or data from another. Think of an API as a menu at a restaurant: it lists operations you can ask for (endpoints), the inputs required (parameters), and the outputs you’ll receive (responses). The menu hides the kitchen’s complexity while enabling reliable interactions.

At a technical level, APIs define:

  • Endpoints: addressable paths (e.g., /v1/price) that expose functionality.
  • Methods: actions (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) that describe intent.
  • Payloads and formats: how data is sent and returned (JSON, XML, protobuf).
  • Authentication and rate limits: controls that protect providers and consumers.

How APIs work: protocols, formats, and patterns

APIs come in many flavors, but several common patterns and technologies recur. HTTP-based REST APIs are ubiquitous: clients send HTTP requests to endpoints, and servers return structured responses. GraphQL provides a flexible query language so clients request exactly the data they need. gRPC and protobuf offer high-performance binary protocols suited for internal systems.

Key technical considerations include:

  • Authentication: API keys, OAuth 2.0, and signed requests verify identity.
  • Data formats: JSON is common for public APIs; compact formats (protobuf) are used for efficiency.
  • Versioning: /v1/, /v2/ patterns prevent breaking changes for consumers.
  • Error handling: HTTP status codes and descriptive error bodies aid debugging.

From a user perspective, well-designed APIs are predictable, documented, and testable. Tools like Postman, curl, and OpenAPI (Swagger) specs help developers explore capabilities and simulate workflows before writing production code.

Types of APIs and common use cases

APIs fall into categories by audience and purpose: public (open) APIs available to external developers, partner APIs for trusted integrations, and private/internal APIs for microservices inside an organization. Use cases span virtually every industry:

  • Web and mobile apps: fetch user data, manage authentication, or render dynamic content.
  • Payments and identity: integrate payment processors or single-sign-on providers.
  • AI and data services: call model inference endpoints, fetch embeddings, or retrieve labeled datasets.
  • Crypto and Web3: query blockchain state, streaming market data, or execute on-chain reads via node and indexer APIs.

For crypto developers, specialized endpoints like on-chain transaction lookups, token metadata, and real-time price feeds are common. Choosing the right API type and provider depends on latency, data freshness, cost, and reliability requirements.

How to evaluate and use an API effectively

Selecting an API is a mix of technical and operational checks. Use a framework to compare candidates across functionality, quality, and governance:

  1. Functional fit: Does the API expose the endpoints and data shapes you need? Can it filter, paginate, or aggregate appropriately?
  2. Performance: Measure latency, throughput, and SLA guarantees. For real-time systems, prefer providers with streaming or websocket options.
  3. Data quality & provenance: Verify how data is sourced and updated. For analytical work, consistent timestamps and clear versioning are critical.
  4. Security & compliance: Check authentication methods, encryption in transit, and data-handling policies.
  5. Cost & rate limits: Understand pricing tiers, request quotas, and backoff strategies.
  6. Documentation & community: Good docs, SDKs, and examples reduce integration time and maintenance risk.

When building prototypes, use sandbox or free tiers to validate assumptions. Instrument usage with logging and observability so you can detect schema changes or degraded data quality quickly. For AI agents, prefer APIs that return structured, consistent responses to reduce post-processing needs.

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FAQ — What is an API?

An API is a contract that allows software components to interact. It specifies endpoints, request formats, authentication, and expected responses so different systems can communicate reliably.

How do I start using an API?

Begin by reading the provider’s documentation, obtain any required credentials (API key or OAuth token), and make simple test calls with curl or Postman. Use SDKs if available to accelerate development.

What’s the difference between REST and GraphQL?

REST exposes fixed endpoints returning predefined data structures, while GraphQL lets clients query for exactly the fields they need. REST is simple and cache-friendly; GraphQL provides flexibility at the cost of more complex server logic.

Are APIs secure to use for sensitive data?

APIs can be secure if they use strong authentication (OAuth, signed requests), TLS encryption, access controls, and proper rate limiting. Review the provider’s security practices and compliance certifications for sensitive use cases.

How are APIs used with AI and agents?

AI systems call APIs to fetch data, request model inferences, or enrich contexts. Stable, well-documented APIs with predictable schemas reduce the need for complex parsing and improve reliability of AI agents.

Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only. It explains technical concepts and evaluation frameworks but is not investment advice or a recommendation to use any specific API for financial decisions. Always review terms of service and data governance policies before integrating third-party APIs.

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Token Metrics Team
Token Metrics Team

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Rise of AI Coins: How AI Narratives Are Fueling the Next Bull Run

Token Metrics Team
4 min
MIN

Introduction
AI is no longer just a tech buzzword — it’s a dominant force driving the next wave of crypto innovation. In 2025, artificial intelligence has found a new frontier: blockchain. From infrastructure protocols to AI-native tokens, the market is seeing a surge in interest, investment, and returns for coins tied to the AI narrative. Token Metrics is at the forefront, helping users identify these explosive opportunities.

Why AI Coins Are Surging
The intersection of AI and crypto isn’t random. Three forces are converging to power this narrative:

  1. Mainstream AI Adoption – With tools like ChatGPT and Claude going mainstream, interest in AI has exploded.
  2. Decentralized Intelligence – Blockchain offers a secure, transparent way to distribute AI models and datasets.
  3. Speculative Momentum – The hype around AI is creating high-risk, high-reward token launches with strong upside potential.

Token Metrics’ AI Token Detection Strategy
Token Metrics uses its proprietary AI to identify early momentum in the market. Here's how it helped surface the best-performing AI tokens:

  • Volume spikes and unusual trading patterns
  • Token grades showing >80 Trader Score
  • Bold signals based on narrative tracking
  • Cross-chain analysis for upcoming projects

Ian Balina noted during the recent webinar that several AI coins have already delivered outsized returns — and this is just the beginning.

Examples of AI Tokens to Watch

  • Launch Coin – While not an AI token itself, its virality shows how fast narratives spread.
  • AI Infrastructure Projects – Platforms building decentralized compute for training and deploying models.
  • AI DeFi Hybrids – Tokens merging machine learning with trading, risk management, or yield optimization.

How to Ride the AI Wave
Using the Token Metrics platform, here’s how to position your portfolio:

  • Use Bold Signals: Sort by AI narrative to find breakout projects.
  • Set Alerts: Monitor new signal generation across top AI narratives.
  • Filter by Grade: Combine high Trader Grade with AI tag for high-conviction trades.

What This Means for Investors
The AI narrative is not a flash in the pan. It represents a paradigm shift in both technology and finance. Tokens that combine utility, vision, and timing will thrive. As always, early entry is key — and that’s where Token Metrics’ daily insights give users the edge.

Conclusion
AI tokens are fueling the next crypto bull run — and the smartest investors are already positioned. With real-time signals, narrative filters, and AI-powered grading, Token Metrics is your map through the chaos. The next big opportunity may already be on the Market Page.

Research

📈 Launch Coin’s Wild Ride: From 54 SOL to $4 Million

Token Metrics Team
4 min
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The crypto world thrives on narratives, and few have captured attention in recent weeks like Launchcoin. Born from a blend of SocialFi innovation and meme-driven virality, Launchcoin has surged into the spotlight—offering both eye-popping returns and warnings of extreme volatility. Powered by Token Metrics’ AI insights, here’s a detailed look at where Launchcoin stands today.

🚀 AI Detected the Breakout Early

On April 20, 2025, Token Metrics’ proprietary AI model flipped bullish on Launchcoin. Since then, the token has rallied over 3x, proving the strength of the signal. Backed by machine learning models that track on-chain data, sentiment, and price action across multiple timeframes, the Trader Grade for Launchcoin is currently at a whopping 93.15%, designating it a Strong Buy in the short term.

However, after such an exponential surge, the platform’s analysts expect natural pullbacks as early buyers and whales begin to take profits. These corrections are healthy and expected in any meteoric price run—and should not be confused with a loss of fundamental strength.

🧠 Token Metrics Investor Grade: A Balanced Perspective

While short-term indicators are overwhelmingly bullish, the Investor Grade remains neutral, pointing to a more measured view on Launchcoin’s long-term potential. This signals that while there’s momentum, there are still structural risks—particularly due to its meme coin characteristics and reliance on hype cycles.

Still, a neutral long-term grade isn’t bearish. It suggests Launchcoin is currently stable at its elevated valuation, but investors should monitor developments carefully—especially as new features and ecosystem growth unfold.

📈 Launchcoin’s Wild Ride: From 54 SOL to $4 Million

The Launchcoin story has already minted millionaires. One trader reportedly turned an $8,191 investment (54 SOL) into $4 million after purchasing 14.62 million LAUNCHCOIN tokens when the market cap was below $500,000. This kind of exponential return is rare—even in crypto—and helped drive speculative interest across social media and trading forums.

Within just 22 days, Launchcoin’s market cap crossed $300 million, illustrating how quickly meme-based projects can capture market momentum, especially when they ride the wave of a compelling narrative.

🔄 Listings and Market Access

Launchcoin’s liquidity and accessibility have improved significantly. The token is now trading on major centralized exchanges:

  • Spot listings: Bitget, KuCoin, Gate.io, and MEXC
  • Futures: Recently launched on ByBit

These listings have broadened exposure, attracting a wider investor base and allowing leveraged traders to participate. Increased liquidity also reduces slippage, enabling larger capital inflows while minimizing execution risk.

🎭 From PASTERNAK to LAUNCHCOIN: The Rebranding

Initially launched as PASTERNAK, named after Believe’s founder Ben Pasternak, the project was rebranded to Launchcoin on May 2, 2025. The new name better reflects its core value proposition: empowering creators to launch tokens through a SocialFi model.

The model is simple but revolutionary—anyone can create a token by posting on social media with the “@launchcoin” tag. This lowers the barrier for entry into token creation and adds viral potential to every social interaction.

🧨 Risk and Volatility: A Speculative Bet

Despite its recent success, Launchcoin remains a highly speculative asset. Its meteoric rise is reminiscent of meme coin cycles seen with tokens like PEPE or DOGE. While Launchcoin offers a unique utility layer with its token-creation feature, its current valuation includes a significant hype premium.

Token Metrics encourages traders to stay nimble. With the AI trading signals, users can track grade changes in real-time, ensuring they’re not caught off guard by sharp reversals or cooldowns.

🧠 Final Thoughts

Launchcoin represents a blend of viral marketing, social token innovation, and AI-predicted trading opportunity. With strong short-term momentum, neutral long-term positioning, and significant ecosystem buzz, it’s a token to watch—but not without caution.

Whether you’re a trader riding the momentum or an investor assessing long-term viability, Token Metrics provides the data-driven edge to navigate Launchcoin’s volatility with confidence.

Research

Best Long-Term Crypto Picks for the 2025 Bull Market

Token Metrics Team
4 min
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In a market full of noise, value investors are asking one critical question: what should I hold long-term?

Here are some of our top picks, based on fundamentals, traction, and longevity.

1. Grass – AI + Revenue

Grass stands out in the AI space. With over $15M in revenue from its browser extension and data resale model, it’s one of the few protocols generating real-world value. It’s a top AI blue chip we’re confident holding over multiple cycles.

2. Peaq – DePIN Infrastructure

Peaq positions itself as the Chainlink of decentralized physical infrastructure. While still under $1B FDV, it’s been consistent in development and narrative strength.

3. Sui – Consumer-Focused L1

Sui isn’t just another L1. Between Phantom wallet support, SuiPlay hardware, and growing dApp adoption, Sui has the elements to outpace older chains like Solana or Avalanche in user growth.

4. Parcl – Real Estate Derivatives

For exposure to real-world assets, Parcl offers a compelling play. Their UI is retail-friendly, listings are strong, and the market cap remains under $150M. This is one to watch as RWA adoption grows.

5. BitTensor – AI Infrastructure Layer

With a unique emission model and growing subnet usage, BitTensor remains the top AI infra token. Some even compare its long-term potential to early Bitcoin.

Bonus Mentions:

  • Uniswap / Aave / Compound – battle-tested DeFi with upcoming fee-sharing upgrades

  • Chainlink – oracle king still dominating infrastructure

  • Hyperliquid – sustainable revenue, EVM chain, and perps dominance

Final Words

The 2025 bull market will create noise—but also opportunity. These tokens aren’t just trendy—they’re infrastructure plays with real utility and upside. Allocate accordingly.

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