Crypto Basics

Are There Crypto Indices for DeFi, AI, and Other Sectors? Exploring Thematic Index Investing in 2025

Want exposure to trending crypto themes like DeFi, AI, and Memecoins? Learn about the top sector-based crypto indices in 2025 and how to invest in the best narratives with less risk.
Token Metrics Team
8 min
MIN

In the fast-moving world of crypto, one of the smartest ways to invest in 2025 is by aligning your portfolio with emerging narratives. Whether it’s DeFi, AI, Memecoins, or Real World Assets (RWAs), crypto’s growth is fueled by themes—and the easiest way to capitalize on them is through sector-based crypto indices.

But are there crypto indices tailored to specific sectors?
Absolutely. In fact, thematic crypto indices are one of the hottest trends in index-based investing right now.

This article explores the most popular sector-based crypto indices in 2025, how they work, and how you can use them to build a diversified, trend-aligned portfolio.

What Is a Thematic or Sector-Based Crypto Index?

A sector-based crypto index is a basket of cryptocurrencies selected based on a specific theme or market narrative. Instead of tracking the overall market, these indices focus on high-growth areas such as:

  • Decentralized Finance (DeFi)
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tokens
  • Memecoins
  • Real World Assets (RWA)
  • Layer 1 Blockchains
  • Gaming / Metaverse

Each index includes multiple tokens within that category, allowing investors to gain exposure to the entire theme without picking individual winners.

Why Sector Indices Matter in 2025

In today’s market, performance is narrative-driven. A single meme can send a coin flying, or a regulatory shift can pump RWAs. Sector indices help investors:

âś… Capitalize on trends early
âś… Avoid single-token risk
âś… Ride sector momentum without constant research
âś… Balance exposure across tokens within a theme

Instead of trying to guess which AI token will win, you can hold the AI Index and benefit from the entire trend.

Top Sector-Based Crypto Indices in 2025

Here are the most popular and best-performing thematic indices this year:

1. Token Metrics AI Tokens Index

Focus: Artificial Intelligence & Agent Economy
Constituents: FET, AGIX, GRT, TAO, NUM, OCEAN
Management: AI-powered with weekly rebalancing

Why It’s Hot:
AI is dominating tech and crypto alike. This index tracks high-conviction AI tokens and rotates into bullish ones each week. Its performance outpaced most passive indices during Q1 2025.

2. Token Metrics DeFi Index

Focus: Core DeFi protocols
Constituents: AAVE, LDO, UNI, RUNE, DYDX, GMX
Management: AI-managed, rebalanced weekly

Why It’s Hot:
DeFi is crypto’s infrastructure. This index rotates into projects showing strength in TVL, volume, and sentiment—giving you DeFi exposure without the need to manage protocol risk manually.

3. Token Metrics Memecoin Index

Focus: Viral meme tokens
Constituents: DOGE, SHIB, PEPE, WIF, BONK, FLOKI
Management: AI-powered signals and weekly adjustments

Why It’s Hot:
This index tracks social momentum and market sentiment, allowing traders to ride the waves while mitigating downside through AI-powered exits.

4. Token Metrics RWA Index

Focus: Real World Asset tokens
Constituents: MKR, ONDO, POLYX, XDC, CFG
Management: Thematic + risk-adjusted AI overlay

Why It’s Hot:
The RWA narrative is exploding as institutions tokenize bonds, treasuries, and assets. This index includes top-performing RWA projects with liquidity and regulatory traction.

5. Token Metrics Layer 1 Index

Focus: Smart contract platforms
Constituents: ETH, SOL, AVAX, NEAR, SUI, TON
Management: Passive or AI-optimized version

Why It’s Hot:
The infrastructure battle among Layer 1s continues. This index provides broad exposure to the platforms that power most of Web3.

6. Index Coop DPI (DeFi Pulse Index)

Focus: Leading Ethereum DeFi protocols
Constituents: AAVE, UNI, COMP, SNX, LRC
Management: DAO-governed, passive rebalance

Why It’s Hot:
DPI is the OG DeFi index—trusted, decentralized, and consistently rebalanced on-chain.

7. Phuture Custom Indices

Focus: User-created strategies
Constituents: Fully customizable
Management: On-chain rules, community-driven

Why It’s Hot:
Create your own sector index or invest in curated strategies. Fully composable within DeFi.

How to Choose the Right Sector Index

Choosing the best sector-based index depends on your goals and your belief in specific narratives.

AI vs. Passive Sector Indices

Many sector indices today are AI-powered, meaning they adjust weights and tokens dynamically based on real-time data. This is especially useful in volatile or hype-driven narratives (like Memecoins or AI tokens).

Where to Invest in Sector-Based Indices

Here’s where to find and invest in thematic indices:

  • âś… Token Metrics – Sector-specific AI indices with weekly signals
  • âś… Index Coop – Ethereum-based DeFi indices with DAO governance
  • âś… Phuture – On-chain, user-customized index strategies
  • âś… Set Protocol – Technical and trend-driven portfolios
  • âś… Centralized Brokers – Limited thematic access (e.g., Bitwise)

You can access these using fiat, stablecoins, or crypto wallets depending on the platform.

Final Thoughts: Sector Indices Help You Invest in What Matters

In 2025, the biggest opportunities in crypto are often found in narrative-driven sectors. Whether it’s AI, DeFi, Memecoins, or tokenized real-world assets, sector-based crypto indices offer:

  • Smart diversification
  • Aligned exposure to growing trends
  • Hands-free portfolio management
  • Reduced risk of picking the wrong token

For the best results, explore platforms like Token Metrics, where AI-enhanced sector indices help you adapt to the market and capitalize on breakout themes with data-backed precision.

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Andrena and the Rise of DePIN: Decentralized Internet in 2025

Token Metrics Team
8 min
MIN

Introduction:
Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePINs) are rapidly emerging as one of the most transformative sectors in the blockchain space. In 2025, projects like Andrena are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible by bridging real-world hardware with decentralized protocols. This blog takes a closer look at the DePIN thesis, Andrena’s approach, and why this project is on the radar of top investors and analysts.

What Is DePIN?

DePIN stands for Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks. It refers to blockchain-powered networks that coordinate real-world infrastructure using token-based incentives. Use cases include:

  • Wireless internet (e.g., Helium)
  • Sensor networks (e.g., WeatherXM)
  • Storage and compute (e.g., Filecoin, Akash, Arweave)
  • Energy grids (e.g., PowerPod)

In short, DePINs decentralize infrastructure deployment and management using blockchain-based coordination tools.

Why DePIN Matters in 2025

  1. Infrastructure Gaps: Billions remain unconnected to the internet or lack access to basic digital services. DePINs offer a way to close these gaps without reliance on centralized telecoms.
  2. Token Incentives for Network Participation: Hardware operators are rewarded for contributing bandwidth, compute, or coverage—creating a new economic model.
  3. Real-World Utility: Unlike speculative tokens, DePIN projects often provide visible, tangible value from day one.

Introducing Andrena: The Helium of the Internet?

Andrena is a DePIN project building a decentralized internet backbone through a combination of physical devices and blockchain protocols. The project is developing a hardware device called Black Box, expected to launch in July.

Key features:

  • Distributed, peer-to-peer wireless coverage
  • Web3 native incentives for node operators
  • No reliance on centralized ISPs
  • Tentative deployments in New York City, Mexico City, and Accra
  • Deep integration with Helium Network and its infrastructure

Andrena aims to give individuals and communities the power to run their own internet access points and be compensated in a decentralized system.

Why It’s Generating Buzz

Token Metrics researchers flagged Andrena as a top pick for long-term infrastructure exposure. Here's why:

  • Backed by Top VCs: In its upcoming Series B, Andrena is reportedly raising funds from major firms including Polychain Capital, Archetype, Wintermute, and Coinbase Ventures.
  • Mass Market Vision: The goal is not just to serve crypto-native users, but also everyday consumers who simply want affordable, decentralized internet access.
  • Multi-layered Integration: Andrena will offer both physical routers and a browser extension, enabling different levels of participation.

Strategic Partnerships and Rollout

The project is currently in soft-launch mode with localized pilots and is pursuing exchange listings later this year. While details remain limited, the focus is on building a global decentralized ISP layer—a radical shift from the existing internet access model.

Why Andrena Could Succeed Where Others Struggled

Previous attempts at decentralized internet often failed due to:

  • Poor hardware UX
  • Limited adoption outside of crypto users
  • Unclear monetization models

Andrena appears to be addressing these pain points with:

  • Consumer-grade devices
  • Partner integrations (e.g., Helium)
  • Clear token utility tied to network usage and coverage
  • A well-capitalized, experienced founding team

Risks and Unknowns

As with all early-stage infrastructure projects, there are risks:

  • Uncertain regulatory frameworks around ISPs
  • Capital intensity of hardware production and distribution
  • Network growth dependent on physical deployment
  • Limited token utility details at this stage

Investors and builders should stay informed as more information becomes public.

How Token Metrics Is Tracking DePIN Growth

The Token Metrics platform is actively monitoring the DePIN space through metrics such as:

  • TVL (Total Value Locked) in related ecosystems
  • Developer activity and GitHub velocity
  • On-chain signal strength and token accumulation
  • Fundamental and technical ratings

Projects like Andrena and its ecosystem partners are closely watched for early indicators of momentum.

Final Thoughts

DePIN is one of the most compelling frontiers in crypto. It offers real-world, real-time applications that go far beyond speculation. Andrena is at the center of this movement, blending telecom hardware, Web3 incentives, and global deployment.

While it's still early, the signs are promising. From reputable backers to ambitious global plans, Andrena is a project worth watching in 2025 and beyond.

Research

Meme Coins in 2025: Why They’re Still Outperforming the Crypto Market

Token Metrics Team
8 min
MIN

Introduction:
Even in a sluggish crypto market, meme coins continue to outperform many other asset classes. In 2025, these highly speculative assets are not only surviving—some are thriving. This blog examines the current state of the meme coin market, what’s driving the activity, and how on-chain data and crypto analytics can help decode the chaos.

Meme Coins: Still Relevant in 2025?

Despite a broadly bearish macro environment, meme coins remain among the few bright spots in the crypto market. In the latest Token Metrics research webinar, several meme tokens showed outsized returns, including:

  • Gorbagana – up over 50% in a day
  • Useless Coin – jumped 40% in 24 hours
  • Startup Coin – nearly 9x returns over the past month

These tokens operate at low market caps and often launch with little or no formal whitepaper or utility. However, the power of narrative, social engagement, and rapid speculation continues to drive short-term gains.

Why Meme Coins Are Performing in a Bear Market

1. Low Liquidity, High Volatility:
Small-cap meme tokens can easily generate parabolic moves with modest capital inflows.

2. Community-Led Narratives:
Tokens like Useless Coin and Startup thrive on viral momentum from crypto-native communities, particularly on X (Twitter) and Telegram.

3. Whale Activity as a Signal:
Token Metrics analysts observed that whales have been accumulating select meme coins. This isn’t an endorsement—but it’s a data point. Monitoring on-chain whale behavior offers clues about where smart money is moving.

The Gobagana Case Study

Gobagana was cited as a high-risk Solana fork with minimal public information, yet it rapidly gained traction. On-chain analysis revealed:

  • Whale wallets accumulating in the early phase
  • Early VC insiders (e.g., those connected to Big Brain VC) engaging with the token
  • Rapid social engagement despite a small follower base

The takeaway? Even opaque meme coins can trigger major rallies—particularly if accumulation patterns align with social volume.

Risk Management and Red Flags

The meme coin market is not without risk. The Token Metrics team emphasized several cautions:

  • Illiquidity: Many meme tokens have low volume and limited exchange listings.
  • Exit scams or soft rugs: Teams can abandon the project after price pumps.
  • Price discovery volatility: Tokens may have no clear valuation baseline and can retrace sharply.

As such, these assets are often best approached with a high-risk tolerance and clear entry/exit rules.

How to Track Meme Coins Like a Quant

Using crypto analytics platforms like Token Metrics can help make sense of meme coin volatility. Tools that help include:

  • Real-time sentiment analysis
  • Whale wallet tracking
  • Price-to-volume anomaly detection
  • Bullish/bearish signal tracking

In 2025, data is more important than hype. While memes may dominate the narrative, only data reveals when the momentum shifts.

Meme Coins vs. Infrastructure Projects

Interestingly, while meme coins have been surging, many infrastructure or protocol tokens remain flat. This divergence suggests that retail attention is still focused on short-term speculation.

That said, once Bitcoin breaks key resistance levels, we could see capital rotate into AI, DeFi, and infrastructure themes. Meme coins may be the “canary in the coal mine” indicating renewed retail appetite.

Final Thoughts

Meme coins remain the wild west of crypto—but they aren’t going away. In fact, they’re becoming more sophisticated, with deeper liquidity pools, faster launches, and increased integration with social media bots and automated token creators.

As always, meme coin trading demands discipline, skepticism, and a robust toolkit. Watch the whales, follow the data, and never trade what you don’t understand.

Research

How to Find Hidden Crypto Gems with 100x Potential (Step-by-Step Guide) | Token Metrics Moonshots

Token Metrics Team
8 min
MIN

In the fast-paced world of cryptocurrency, discovering hidden gems—often called moonshots—can lead to life-changing returns. But the real challenge lies in separating hype from actual potential. In this guide, we’ll break down what crypto moonshots are, how they work, and how you can use Token Metrics to reliably find tokens with 100x upside.

What Are Moonshot Tokens?

The term moonshot comes from the idea of a crypto token “going to the moon,” or rapidly increasing in price. These are usually low-cap tokens with a compelling narrative, innovative technology, or early-stage market presence that give them high upside potential.

Key Characteristics of Moonshot Tokens:

  • Market Cap Below $50M – Smaller market caps have more room to grow.
  • High Risk / High Reward – Volatility is expected, but the upside can be enormous.
  • Early Entry – Timing matters. Getting in early before mainstream awareness is key.
  • Backed by Fundamentals – Even moonshots need solid technology, use cases, or backing.

How Do Crypto Moonshots Work?

Moonshots rely on the combination of innovation, market timing, and community adoption. They often start unnoticed, then experience exponential growth once crypto traders and influencers catch on.

The Lifecycle of a Typical Moonshot:

  1. Discovery Phase – A few savvy investors or analysts spot the token.
  2. Accumulation Phase – Early adopters buy in quietly, keeping prices low.
  3. Breakout Phase – News spreads, and trading volume spikes.
  4. Parabolic Run – FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) kicks in, driving price up rapidly.
  5. Profit-Taking or Collapse – Smart traders exit with gains; latecomers may be left holding the bag.

To avoid the trap of hype-driven tokens, it's essential to use data and analytics, not emotions. That’s where Token Metrics becomes your secret weapon.

How to Use Token Metrics to Find Monshots?

Token Metrics is an AI-powered crypto analytics platform that helps you discover high-potential tokens with real-time data, grades, and backtested indicators. Here’s a step-by-step guide to using Token Metrics to uncover 100x opportunities:

Step 1: Go to the Ratings Page

Start from the main dashboard of the Token Metrics app.

  • Navigate to the “Ratings” tab.
  • This page ranks thousands of tokens using AI-based Trader Grade and Investor Grade, factoring in technical indicators, on-chain metrics, sentiment, and more.

Pro Tip: Look for tokens with rising Trader Grades and strong historical performance.

Step 2: Click on the “Moonshots” Tab

Once you’re in the Ratings section:

  • Click the “Moonshots” tab at the top of the page.
  • This will filter the list down to tokens the AI model flags as having moonshot potential—i.e., tokens likely to perform exceptionally well in the short term.

These are automatically generated by Token Metrics AI models using over 80+ data points, including:

  • Price momentum
  • On-chain activity
  • Sentiment analysis
  • Volume spikes
  • Market structure

Step 3: Review Key Moonshot Metrics

Each Moonshot token is presented with a rich dataset to help you make informed decisions:

  • Trader Grade (with % change in past 24h or 7d)
  • 24H Trading Volume – Gauge market interest
  • Market Cap – Lower caps typically offer more upside
  • Date of Entry – See when the token was first flagged
  • Live ROI Since Moonshot – Know exactly how past picks performed

Bonus Feature: Toggle to “Past Moonshots” to review previous winners and assess the track record of the platform.

Step 4: Choose a Token to Explore

Click on any token in the Moonshots list to open its Token Details Page.

Here, you can:

  • Analyze real-time charts
  • Review fundamentals, like project utility, tokenomics, roadmap, and team
  • See top holders and whale activity
  • Examine price volatility and volume patterns

This is where research and intuition meet. Use the available data to decide if this token fits your risk tolerance and investment thesis.

Step 5: Buy in Seconds

Token Metrics makes the process seamless:

  • Just click the “Buy” button on the Moonshots page.
  • This opens a swap widget powered by integrated DEX aggregators.
  • Choose your wallet, approve the transaction, and you're done—no need to leave the platform.

This integration eliminates the hassle of going to third-party platforms to execute trades, saving time and reducing risk.

Why Use Token Metrics for Finding Moonshots?

Token Metrics isn’t just about flashy picks—it’s about using data science and AI to gain an edge.

Key Benefits:

  • AI-Driven Insights – No emotional bias; just pure data analysis.
  • Transparency – View past moonshot performance, live ROI, and update dates.
  • Speed to Trade – Instant buy options right from the dashboard.
  • Performance Tracking – Evaluate your results based on entry/exit signals.

Real Examples: Token Metrics in Action

  • Euler Finance was flagged as a Moonshot before its 30% rally—validated by a bullish AI signal.
  • Morpho gained traction after appearing in the Moonshots list, later becoming a top TVL gainer.
  • Hyperliquid made the list before capturing major perp trading market share.

By combining early AI alerts with your own due diligence, you can position yourself ahead of the crowd.

Final Thoughts

Finding the next 100x crypto gem doesn’t have to be a guessing game. While the crypto space remains volatile, tools like Token Metrics help stack the odds in your favor. From real-time ratings to instant buy options and performance metrics, you have everything you need to make smart, data-driven bets on the future of crypto.

So if you're serious about turning small investments into big wins, start using Token Metrics to uncover moonshots before they go mainstream.

Try Token Metrics today and unlock the power of AI-driven crypto investing.

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