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Token Metrics API

Best Crypto API: Power Your Apps with Data, Signals, and AI

Compare the best crypto APIs for 2024. Token Metrics combines real-time prices, AI trading signals, and on-chain analytics vs CoinGecko, Glassnode, and CryptoCompare. Free tier available for developers.
Sam Monac
6 min
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What Makes a Crypto API the “Best”?

The best cryptocurrency API isn’t just about raw data. It’s about empowering your application to perform faster, smarter, and more reliably. A truly great crypto API balances:

  • Depth of Coverage – Spot, DeFi tokens, and on-chain metrics.

  • Speed – Real-time, low-latency updates that can handle market volatility.

  • Intelligence – Analytics and AI-driven signals that go beyond price feeds.

  • Scalability – Infrastructure that grows with your user base.

  • Reliability – High uptime and SLA-backed performance guarantees.

Whether you’re building a high-frequency crypto trading bot, a DeFi portfolio tracker, or a research platform, choosing the right API means aligning features with your mission.

Key Features to Look for in a Crypto API

Before selecting a crypto API, evaluate these criteria:

  • Real-Time & Historical Data – Do you get both sub-second updates and multi-year backtesting datasets?

  • On-Chain Analytics – Can you track wallet behavior, liquidity shifts, or whale flows?

  • AI-Powered Insights – Does the API offer predictive signals, ratings, or trend forecasts?

  • Ease of Integration – Look for clean docs, SDKs, and community examples.

  • Reliability & Uptime – Providers should publish incident histories and SLA commitments.

  • Pricing & Scalability – Free tiers for testing, plus paid plans that make sense as you scale.

  • Compliance & Security – Encrypted endpoints and strong authentication are a must.

📌 Tip for builders: Always start with multiple free crypto APIs and benchmark them in your stack before committing long term.

Comparing Leading Crypto APIs: Strengths & Weaknesses

  • CoinGecko & CoinMarketCap


    • Strengths: Huge token coverage, easy for price tickers and charts.

    • Weaknesses: Limited historical and on-chain analytics, slower refresh rates.

  • CryptoCompare


    • Strengths: Deep historical trade data, useful for backtesting.

    • Weaknesses: Less emphasis on predictive insights or AI.

  • Glassnode


    • Strengths: Advanced on-chain metrics (network health, wallet flows).

    • Weaknesses: Best for researchers, less suited to trading bots or dashboards.

  • Alchemy & Infura


    • Strengths: Node-level blockchain access, ideal for dApps and DeFi projects.

    • Weaknesses: Provide raw blockchain data, not trading analytics.

  • Token Metrics API


    • Strengths: Combines real-time prices, AI trading signals, ratings, portfolio analytics, and on-chain intelligence in one API.

    • Weaknesses: Free tier has rate limits (scalable through paid plans).

Why Token Metrics API Stands Out

Most crypto APIs specialize in one dimension (prices, exchange data, or on-chain metrics). Token Metrics unifies them all and adds AI intelligence on top.

  • Comprehensive Coverage – Prices, historical datasets, indices, grades, and on-chain data.

  • AI Trading Signals – Unique bull/bear calls and predictive analytics unavailable in traditional APIs.

  • Portfolio Intelligence – Ratings and indices that give context to raw numbers.

  • Enterprise-Ready – Encrypted endpoints, authentication, and scalable infrastructure.

  • Developer Friendly – Clear docs, quick-start guides, and responsive support.

📌 Put simply: most crypto APIs give you data. Token Metrics gives you data + intelligence.

Use Cases: From AI Crypto Trading Bots to Research Dashboards

  • AI Trading Bots – Execute strategies using both real-time prices and predictive signals.

  • DeFi Dashboards – Aggregate wallet flows, liquidity data, and token ratings.

  • Crypto Research Tools – Combine historical OHLC data with Token Metrics grades.

  • AI Agents – Power AI apps with actionable signals, not just raw feeds.

  • Enterprise Analytics – Build institutional dashboards with indices and compliance-ready datasets.

Best Practices for Implementing a Crypto API

  1. Prototype Across Providers – Test CoinGecko, Token Metrics, and others in parallel.

  2. Abstract Your Integration – Use a middleware layer to make switching APIs easier.

  3. Secure Your Keys – Store credentials safely and rotate them regularly.

  4. Plan for Scale – Rate limits hit fast; design for bursts in traffic.

  5. Leverage AI-Enhanced APIs – This is where user expectations are heading.

📌 For production apps: always monitor crypto API latency and uptime with tools like Datadog or Grafana.

Beyond Token Metrics: Other Useful Resources

While Token Metrics API offers an all-in-one solution, developers can also explore other resources for specialized needs:

  • Dune Analytics – Great for custom SQL-based blockchain queries.

  • DefiLlama API – Free API focused on DeFi protocol yields and TVL.

  • Santiment API – Alternative on-chain and sentiment analytics.

  • TradingView – Charting and integration options for front-end visualizations.

📌 Strategy tip: many developers combine multiple APIs—Token Metrics for signals + CoinGecko for breadth + DefiLlama for yields—to cover all angles.

Frequently Asked Questions About Crypto APIs

Which crypto API is best overall?
If you want real-time data plus AI-powered insights, crypto api is used. Token Metrics Api is the strongest all-in-one option. For niche use cases, CoinGecko is good for prices, Glassnode for on-chain analytics.

Is Token Metrics API free?
Yes, the free tier is perfect for prototyping. Paid plans unlock faster throughput, more history, and advanced endpoints.

How is Token Metrics different from CoinGecko?
CoinGecko tracks prices broadly. Token Metrics layers AI signals, indices, and predictive analytics for trading and research.

Can I build a trading bot with Token Metrics API?
Yes—many developers use the low-latency price feeds and predictive signals to power automated strategies.

Scaling With Paid Plans and X.402

As your project grows, Token Metrics offers flexible upgrade paths:

  • Pay-Per-Call (X.402) – As low as $0.017 per call, no commitment. Unlimited calls, all endpoints, and 3 months of historical data.

  • Advanced Plan ($999.99/year) – 20,000 calls/month, access to indices & indicators, 3 WebSockets.

  • Premium Plan ($1,999.99/year) – 100,000 calls/month, all endpoints including AI Agent & Reports, 3 years of historical data, and 6 WebSockets.

With up to 35% discounts when paying in TMAI tokens, scaling is cost-efficient.

📌 Why X.402 matters: Instead of locking into an annual plan, you can scale gradually with pay-per-call pricing—perfect for startups and experimental apps.

Build Smarter, Scale Easier

The best crypto API doesn’t just serve data—it helps your app think, act, and adapt. With Token Metrics, you start free, learn fast, and scale seamlessly. Combine it with other specialized APIs when needed, and you’ll have a development stack that’s both powerful and future-proof.

👉 Grab Your Free Token Metrics API Key and Start Building

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About Token Metrics
Token Metrics: AI-powered crypto research and ratings platform. We help investors make smarter decisions with unbiased Token Metrics Ratings, on-chain analytics, and editor-curated “Top 10” guides. Our platform distills thousands of data points into clear scores, trends, and alerts you can act on.
30 Employees
analysts, data scientists, and crypto engineers
Daily Briefings
concise market insights and “Top Picks”
Transparent & Compliant
Sponsored ≠ Ratings; research remains independent
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Token Metrics Team
Token Metrics Team

Recent Posts

Research

What Is a Crypto Index? Why Weekly Rebalancing Matters (2025)

Token Metrics Team
4

Understanding how to efficiently manage exposure in the dynamic world of cryptocurrency can seem daunting. Crypto indices provide a structured approach, helping investors and traders maintain diversified exposure without constant oversight. This article explores what crypto indices are, how they work, and why their rebalancing strategies are crucial in 2025.

What Is a Crypto Index?

A crypto index is a rules-based basket of digital assets that tracks a specific set of cryptocurrencies, such as the top-100 by market capitalization. These indices are designed to reflect broad market trends while reducing the complexity of individual asset management. They typically rebalance periodically to maintain consistent exposure, adapting to market fluctuations over time.

How Crypto Indices Work

The core mechanism involves a few key processes:

Benefits of Using Crypto Indices

Crypto indices offer several advantages:

How to Get Early Access to a Crypto Index

Investors interested in accessing crypto indices can follow a straightforward process:

Decision Guide: Is This for You?

Crypto indices may suit different kinds of investors:

Understanding your trading style and risk appetite can help determine if a crypto index fits within your broader strategy.

Discover Crypto Gems with Token Metrics AI

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FAQs

What is a crypto index?

A crypto index is a rules-based basket that tracks a defined set of assets (e.g., the top-100 by market cap), with a scheduled rebalance to keep exposure aligned. Token Metrics applies that idea and adds a regime switch to stablecoins.

How often does TM Global 100 rebalance?

Weekly. Constituents and weights update on schedule; if the market regime changes, the portfolio can switch between tokens and stablecoins outside that cadence.

What triggers the move to stablecoins?

A proprietary market signal. Bullish: hold the top-100 basket. Bearish: exit to stablecoins and wait for a re-entry signal.

Can I fund with USDC or fiat?

At launch, funding options including wallet-funding supported by the embedded smart wallet and supported chains; USDC payouts are available when selling. Details are available during the buy/sell process.

Is the wallet custodial?

No. The embedded wallet is self-custodial—you control your funds and keys.

How are fees shown?

Before confirming, you'll see estimated gas costs, platform fees, max slippage, and minimum expected value.

How do I join the waitlist?

Visit the Token Metrics indices hub, open TM Global 100, and tap “Join Waitlist.” We will notify you once trading opens.

Security, Risk & Transparency

Self-custody: Embedded smart wallet with user-controlled keys. Transparency: Clear rules, holdings Treemap, and transactions logs. Fees: Shown before confirmation. Limitations: Signals can be wrong, no performance guarantees. Availability may vary by region and device.

Disclaimer

Crypto is volatile and can lose value. Past performance does not predict future results. This article is for research and educational purposes only, not financial advice.

Research

Predictable Crypto: The Index That Moves to Stablecoins When It Should (2025)

Token Metrics Team
4

If you’ve ever wished for a crypto index that participates broadly in bull markets yet steps aside when risk turns south, this is it. Token Metrics Global 100 is a rules-based index that holds the top 100 crypto assets when our market signal is bullish—and moves fully to stablecoins when it isn’t. It rebalances weekly, shows transparent holdings and transaction logs, and can be purchased in one click with an embedded wallet. That’s disciplined exposure, minus the micromanagement. → Join the waitlist to be first to trade TM Global 100.

Why Indices Matters in October 2025

Two things define this cycle: speed and uncertainty. Narratives rotate in weeks, not months, and individual-coin risk can swamp portfolios. Indices let you own the market when conditions warrant, while a regime-switching approach aims to sidestep drawdowns by cutting risk to stablecoins. (A crypto index is a rules-based basket tracking a defined universe—here, a top-100 market-cap set—with scheduled rebalances.)

How the TM Global 100 Index Works

Regime switching: Bull: hold the top 100 by market cap. Bear: move fully to stablecoins, wait for a bullish re-entry signal.

Weekly rebalancing: Updates weights and constituents to reflect the current top-100 list.

Transparency: A Strategy modal explains rules; a Gauge shows the live market signal; Holdings appear in Treemap + Table; and every rebalance/transaction is logged.

What you’ll see on launch: Price tile • “100 tokens” • “rebalances weekly” • one-click Buy Index flow. → See the strategy and rules. (TM Global 100 strategy)

Benefits at a Glance (Why This Beats DIY)

Time back: No more tracking 100 tickers or manual reweights. The weekly job runs for you.

Discipline on drawdowns: The stablecoin switch enforces risk management when the signal turns.

Less execution drag: One embedded wallet checkout vs. dozens of small trades that add slippage and fees.

See everything: Gauge → Treemap → Transactions Log—know what you hold, and what changed.

Own the market when it’s worth it: Capture broad upside in bullish regimes with top-100 breadth.

Step-by-Step: How to Get Early Access (Waitlist)

Open the Token Metrics Indices hub.

Tap TM Global 100 and select Join Waitlist.

(Optional) Connect wallet to preview the one-click Buy flow and funding options.

On launch, you’ll receive an email and in-app prompt.

Click Buy Index → review fees/slippage/holdings → confirm. Most users finish in ~90 seconds.

Track your position under My Indices with real-time P&L and a full transactions history. → Join the waitlist to be first to trade TM Global 100.

Decision Guide: Is This Right for You?

  • Hands-Off Allocator: Want broad exposure without micromanaging? Consider TM Global 100 for rules-based coverage.
  • Active Trader: Prefer a disciplined core that exits to stables while you run satellite bets.
  • TM Member/Prospect: Already read our research? This turns it into an actionable, one-click index.
  • New to On-Chain: Embedded wallet + clear fees and logs lower the operational lift.
  • Skeptical of Black Boxes: Full strategy copy, holdings, and rebalance logs are visible—no mystery knobs.

FAQs

What is a “crypto index”?

A rules-based basket that tracks a defined universe (here: top-100 market cap), with scheduled rebalances and clear inclusion criteria.

How often does the index rebalance?

Weekly, with additional full-portfolio switches when the market regime changes.

What triggers the move to stablecoins?

A proprietary market signal. Bullish: hold top-100. Bearish: move fully to stablecoins until re-entry.

Can I fund with USDC or fiat?

You’ll use the embedded wallet and supported on-chain assets; USDC is supported for selling. Funding options surface based on chain/wallet at checkout.

Is the wallet custodial?

No. It’s an embedded, self-custodial smart wallet—you control funds.

How are fees shown?

At checkout, you’ll see estimated gas, platform fee, max slippage, and minimum expected value before confirming.

How do I join the waitlist?

Visit the Indices hub, open TM Global 100, and tap Join Waitlist; we’ll notify you at launch.

Security, Risk & Transparency

Self-custody: Embedded smart wallet; you hold keys.

Operational clarity: Strategy modal, Holdings treemap/table, and Transactions log.

Fee & slippage preview: All shown before you confirm.

Regime logic limits: Signals can be wrong; switching can incur spreads and gas.

Region notes: Chain and asset support may vary by user wallet and jurisdiction.

Crypto is volatile and can lose value. Past performance is not indicative of future results. This article is for research/education, not financial advice.

Conclusion

If you want broad upside when it’s worth it and stablecoins when it’s not—with weekly rebalances, transparent logs, and a 90-second buy flow—Token Metrics Global 100 was built for you. Join the waitlist now and be first to trade at launch.

Research

How Do People Research Tokens and Coins Before Buying? A Complete Guide

Talha Ahmad
5 min

The cryptocurrency market has evolved from a niche digital experiment into a multi-trillion-dollar asset class. With thousands of tokens and coins available across hundreds of exchanges, the question isn't whether you should research before buying—it's how to conduct that research effectively. Smart investors know that thorough due diligence is the difference between identifying the next promising project and falling victim to a costly mistake.

The Foundation: Understanding What You're Buying

Before diving into specific research methods, successful crypto investors start by understanding the fundamental difference between various digital assets. Bitcoin operates as digital gold and a store of value, while Ethereum functions as a programmable blockchain platform. Other tokens serve specific purposes within their ecosystems—governance rights, utility functions, or revenue-sharing mechanisms.

The first step in any research process involves reading the project's whitepaper. This technical document outlines the problem the project aims to solve, its proposed solution, tokenomics, and roadmap. While whitepapers can be dense, they reveal whether a project has substance or merely hype. Pay attention to whether the team clearly articulates a real-world problem and presents a viable solution.

Analyzing the Team and Development Activity

A cryptocurrency project is only as strong as the team behind it. Investors scrutinize founder backgrounds, checking their LinkedIn profiles, previous projects, and industry reputation. Have they built successful companies before? Do they have relevant technical expertise? Anonymous teams aren't automatically red flags, but they require extra scrutiny and compelling reasons for their anonymity.

Development activity serves as a crucial health indicator for any blockchain project. GitHub repositories reveal whether developers are actively working on the project or if it's effectively abandoned. Regular commits, open issues being addressed, and community contributions all signal a vibrant, evolving project. Conversely, repositories with no activity for months suggest a project that may be dying or was never serious to begin with.

Diving Into Tokenomics and Supply Mechanics

Understanding a token's economic model is essential for predicting its long-term value potential. Investors examine total supply, circulating supply, and emission schedules. Is the token inflationary or deflationary? How many tokens do the team and early investors hold, and when do those tokens unlock? Large unlock events can trigger significant price drops as insiders sell.

The token's utility within its ecosystem matters tremendously. Does holding the token provide governance rights, staking rewards, or access to platform features? Tokens without clear utility often struggle to maintain value over time. Smart researchers also investigate how value accrues to token holders—whether through buybacks, burning mechanisms, or revenue sharing.

Evaluating Market Metrics and Trading Data

Price action tells only part of the story, but market metrics provide valuable context. Trading volume indicates liquidity—can you buy or sell significant amounts without drastically moving the price? Market capitalization helps determine a token's relative size and potential growth runway. A small-cap project has more room to grow but carries higher risk.

On-chain metrics offer deeper insights into token health. Active addresses, transaction volume, and network usage reveal actual adoption versus speculation. High trading volume on exchanges with minimal on-chain activity might indicate wash trading or manipulation. Token distribution matters too—if a small number of wallets hold most of the supply, the token faces centralization risks and potential price manipulation.

Leveraging Advanced Analytics Platforms

Professional crypto investors increasingly rely on sophisticated analytics platforms that aggregate multiple data sources and provide actionable insights. Token Metrics has emerged as a leading crypto trading and analytics platform, offering comprehensive research tools that save investors countless hours of manual analysis.

Token Metrics combines artificial intelligence with expert analysis to provide ratings and predictions across thousands of cryptocurrencies. The platform evaluates projects across multiple dimensions—technology, team, market metrics, and risk factors—delivering clear scores that help investors quickly identify promising opportunities. Rather than manually tracking dozens of metrics across multiple websites, users access consolidated dashboards that present the information that matters most.

The platform's AI-driven approach analyzes historical patterns and current trends to generate price predictions and trading signals. For investors overwhelmed by the complexity of crypto research, Token Metrics serves as an invaluable decision-support system, translating raw data into understandable recommendations. The platform covers everything from established cryptocurrencies to emerging DeFi tokens and NFT projects, making it a one-stop solution for comprehensive market research.

Assessing Community and Social Sentiment

Cryptocurrency projects thrive or die based on their communities. Active, engaged communities signal genuine interest and adoption, while astroturfed communities relying on bots and paid shillers raise red flags. Investors monitor project Discord servers, Telegram channels, and Twitter activity to gauge community health.

Social sentiment analysis has become increasingly sophisticated, with tools tracking mentions, sentiment polarity, and influencer engagement across platforms. Sudden spikes in social volume might indicate organic excitement about a partnership or product launch—or orchestrated pump-and-dump schemes. Experienced researchers distinguish between authentic enthusiasm and manufactured hype.

Understanding Regulatory and Security Considerations

The regulatory landscape significantly impacts cryptocurrency projects. Researchers investigate whether projects have faced regulatory scrutiny, registered as securities, or implemented compliance measures. Geographic restrictions, potential legal challenges, and regulatory clarity all affect long-term viability.

Security audits from reputable firms like CertiK, Trail of Bits, or ConsenSys Diligence provide crucial assurance about smart contract safety. Unaudited contracts carry significant risk of exploits and bugs. Researchers also examine a project's history—has it been hacked before? How did the team respond to security incidents?

Reading Between the Lines: Red Flags and Warning Signs

Experienced investors develop instincts for spotting problematic projects. Guaranteed returns and promises of unrealistic gains are immediate red flags. Legitimate projects acknowledge risk and market volatility rather than making impossible promises. Copied whitepapers, stolen team photos, or vague technical descriptions suggest scams.

Pressure tactics like "limited time offers" or artificial scarcity designed to force quick decisions without research are classic manipulation techniques. Projects with more focus on marketing than product development, especially those heavily promoted by influencers being paid to shill, warrant extreme skepticism.

The Research Never Stops

Cryptocurrency research isn't a one-time activity but an ongoing process. Markets evolve rapidly, projects pivot, teams change, and new competitors emerge. Successful investors establish systems for monitoring their holdings and staying updated on developments. Setting up Google Alerts, following project social channels, and regularly reviewing analytics help maintain awareness of changing conditions.

Whether you're evaluating established cryptocurrencies or exploring emerging altcoins, thorough research remains your best defense against losses and your greatest tool for identifying opportunities. The time invested in understanding what you're buying pays dividends through better decision-making and improved portfolio performance in this dynamic, high-stakes market.

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