Crypto Basics

Crypto HODL: The Long-Term Investment Strategy for Building Wealth in 2025

Learn the meaning of HODL in crypto, why it works, and how to build a long-term cryptocurrency portfolio in 2025 with AI-powered insights.
Token Metrics Team
6 min
MIN

Introduction to HODL

If you’ve spent any time in cryptocurrency communities, you’ve likely seen the term HODL. Originally a misspelling of “hold” on an online Bitcoin forum in 2013, HODL has become much more than a typo—it’s now a core investment philosophy for crypto enthusiasts worldwide.

In 2025, HODLing remains one of the most effective long-term strategies for building wealth in cryptocurrency. By holding onto fundamentally strong assets through market volatility, investors can capture long-term gains while avoiding emotional, short-term trading mistakes. This article explores what HODLing means, why it works, the best assets to HODL, and how platforms like Token Metrics can help optimize your strategy.

What Does HODL Mean?

HODL means buying and holding cryptocurrency for an extended period, regardless of short-term price fluctuations. Unlike traders who attempt to time the market, HODLers adopt a long-term mindset, trusting that the value of quality assets will increase over time.

This strategy is rooted in the belief that blockchain technology and digital assets are here to stay, and that short-term market noise shouldn’t derail long-term conviction.

The Psychology Behind HODLing

Crypto markets are notoriously volatile, with sudden price swings that can lead to emotional decision-making. HODLing combats this by:

  • Avoiding Panic Selling: Reducing the risk of selling at a loss during downturns.
  • Maintaining Discipline: Encouraging investors to stick to their long-term plans.
  • Embracing Market Cycles: Understanding that crypto goes through bull and bear phases, but strong assets tend to recover and grow over time.

By committing to HODLing, investors can overcome emotional biases and stay focused on their long-term goals.

Why HODL Works in 2025

  1. Capturing Long-Term Gains:
    Historically, assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum have rewarded long-term holders with substantial returns, despite short-term volatility.

  2. Lower Trading Costs:
    By minimizing active trading, HODLers save on transaction fees and reduce tax implications from frequent trades.

  3. Compounding Growth:
    Holding allows you to benefit from price appreciation and participate in opportunities like staking or earning yield on your crypto.

  4. Simplicity:
    HODLing is straightforward—buy quality assets, store them securely, and wait.

Best Cryptocurrencies to HODL in 2025

While any coin can be HODLed, the best long-term candidates are projects with strong fundamentals, proven track records, and growing ecosystems:

  • Bitcoin (BTC):
    Known as digital gold, Bitcoin remains the most secure and widely adopted cryptocurrency, making it a cornerstone of any HODL portfolio.

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  • Ethereum (ETH):
    As the leading smart contract platform, Ethereum powers thousands of decentralized applications and remains a dominant force in DeFi and NFTs.

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  • Token Metrics AI (TMAI):
    An innovative AI-driven analytics token that combines blockchain and artificial intelligence, helping investors make smarter decisions.

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These coins offer long-term growth potential, making them excellent candidates for a HODL strategy.

How to Build a Successful HODL Strategy

  1. Do Your Research:
    Focus on coins with real-world utility, active development teams, and strong communities.

  2. Diversify Your Holdings:
    Don’t put all your funds into one asset. Balance between large-cap (BTC, ETH) and emerging tokens (AI coins, Layer 2 solutions).

  3. Use Token Metrics for Insights:
    Leverage AI-powered analytics to evaluate assets, get coin ratings, and track portfolio performance. Token Metrics provides data on over 80 key metrics per token, helping you choose the right assets to HODL.

  4. Secure Your Assets:
    Use hardware wallets for long-term storage and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on exchange accounts.

  5. Rebalance Periodically:
    While HODLing implies holding for the long term, periodic rebalancing ensures your portfolio remains aligned with your investment goals.

HODLing vs. Active Trading

While active trading can generate quick profits, it also comes with higher risks and costs. Here’s how HODLing compares:

  • Less Stressful: You’re not glued to charts or reacting to every market dip.
  • Lower Fees: Fewer transactions mean reduced trading costs.
  • Higher Long-Term Success: Most active traders underperform long-term HODLers over extended periods.

Platforms like Token Metrics can complement both approaches by providing trading signals and long-term portfolio analytics, helping you decide when (and if) you should adjust your positions.

Risks of HODLing

While HODLing is effective, it’s not without challenges:

  • Extended Bear Markets: Prices may stay low for months or years.
  • Project Failures: Some tokens may not survive long term, making research critical.
  • Opportunity Cost: Holding may cause you to miss out on short-term trading opportunities.

To mitigate these risks, rely on data-driven tools like Token Metrics to ensure you’re holding the right mix of assets.

The Role of Token Metrics in HODLing

Token Metrics is a powerful platform for long-term crypto investors, providing:

  • AI-Driven Coin Ratings: Helping you identify which assets are worth holding.
  • Trend Analysis: Detecting when market conditions shift.
  • Portfolio Optimization: Offering insights to keep your HODL strategy on track.

By leveraging AI analytics, Token Metrics makes HODLing smarter, ensuring you’re invested in assets with strong fundamentals and growth potential.

Practical Tips for HODLers

  • Start with Blue Chips: Build a foundation with Bitcoin and Ethereum.
  • Add Growth Assets: Include promising altcoins like TMAI and Layer 2 scaling tokens.
  • Ignore Market Noise: Stay focused on the big picture.
  • Set Clear Goals: Define your time horizon and risk tolerance.
  • Stay Informed: Use platforms like Token Metrics to monitor your portfolio and adjust as needed.

Conclusion

HODLing isn’t just a meme—it’s a time-tested strategy for building wealth in crypto. By holding onto fundamentally strong assets, you can capture long-term growth while avoiding the emotional traps of active trading.

In 2025, pairing HODLing with AI-powered insights from Token Metrics gives you an edge—helping you select the right assets, manage risk, and stay committed to your investment plan. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned investor, HODLing remains one of the simplest and most effective ways to build wealth in the dynamic world of cryptocurrency.

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Crypto Basics

8 Best Crypto Exchange APIs for Developers and Traders

Token Metrics Team
6 minutes
MIN

Cryptocurrency is here to stay - no matter what; this is what experts keep concreting despite its high volatility. Though it's constantly on a swinging profit/loss, it has the interest of millions worldwide. 

With the rise in popularity of blockchain technology, the demand for reliable and efficient cryptocurrency APIs has grown significantly. Crypto APIs, or application programming interfaces, enable developers to interact with cryptocurrencies in various ways, including trading, tracking market data, and managing digital wallets.

This article will explore the top crypto exchange APIs currently available. These crypto APIs offer a range of features and functionalities, making them invaluable tools for anyone looking to build applications in the crypto space.

Crypto Exchange APIs

Using crypto exchange APIs can provide a range of benefits for developers and traders.

They allow for easy access to a wealth of data and tools, allowing for the development of innovative solutions. These APIs can also save you time and resources by eliminating the need to gather and process data manually.

Additionally, crypto APIs can provide real-time updates on market trends, allowing traders to make informed decisions and stay ahead of the competition.

That said, let's explore the list of best crypto exchange APIs to use today.

Top 8 Cryptocurrency Exchange APIs

Here is the complete list of top crypto exchange API providers with free and paid plans.

1. Token Metrics Crypto API - The Best Crypto API for AI-Powered Trading & Investment Apps

In a fast-moving crypto market, access to reliable, real-time data is critical. The Token Metrics API has emerged as one of the best crypto APIs, delivering a complete AI-powered data solution for traders, developers, and crypto investment platforms.

Unlike many crypto data providers that simply aggregate prices or on-chain data, Token Metrics combines tick-level price feeds, deep on-chain analytics, and proprietary AI-generated grades into a unified API. Developers can stream live market prices, liquidity flows, funding rates, on-chain metrics, and unique AI Trader & Investor Grades—all through a single API call. This makes building powerful trading bots, autonomous agents, portfolio dashboards, and signal feeds remarkably simple.

The API’s back-tested AI models generate long and short entry signals, giving developers ready-to-use actionable trade ideas. With official Python and TypeScript SDKs, integration is fast and developer-friendly, with built-in authentication, retries, and pandas helpers. Whether you’re building CEX/DEX bots, Telegram trading bots, AI research agents, or crypto investment dashboards, the Token Metrics API offers unmatched flexibility.

Token Metrics API also powers a growing ecosystem of integrations including QuickNode for blockchain infrastructure, Chainlink for oracles, Zapier for no-code automation, and OpenAI for advanced AI agents. The API pricing is fully transparent, starting with a free plan for prototyping and scaling up with usage-based billing as projects grow.

Built for serious crypto builders, Token Metrics API delivers real-time AI insights that go beyond simple data aggregation—enabling you to build smarter, faster, and more predictive trading systems. Whether you're managing your own trading strategies or building next-gen crypto apps, Token Metrics API stands out as the best crypto API on the market today.

Start for free today and unlock the full power of AI-driven crypto intelligence with Token Metrics API.

2. Binance API

Binance is one of the largest and most popular cryptocurrency exchanges in the world. Its API allows traders to access real-time market data, execute trades, and manage their accounts. The API is easy to use and well-documented, making it a great choice for both beginners and experienced traders.

One of the key benefits of the Binance API is its scalability. It can handle a large volume of requests, making it a reliable choice for traders who need to execute trades quickly. Additionally, the API is available in multiple languages, making it accessible to traders around the world.

3. Coinbase API

Coinbase is another popular cryptocurrency exchange that offers an API for traders. The API provides access to real-time market data, account management features, and the ability to execute trades.

One of the standout features of the Coinbase API is its security. The exchange has a strong reputation for security and has implemented various measures to protect users' funds. Additionally, the API is well-documented and easy to use, making it a great choice for traders who value simplicity.

4. Kraken API

Kraken is a cryptocurrency exchange that has been around since years. Its API provides access to real-time market data, account management features, and the ability to execute trades.

One of the benefits of the Kraken API is its advanced order types. Traders can use the API to place advanced orders such as stop-loss and take-profit orders, allowing them to manage risk more effectively. Additionally, the API is highly customizable, making it a great choice for traders who want to tailor their trading experience to their specific needs.

5. Bitfinex API

Bitfinex is a cryptocurrency exchange that offers an API for traders. The API provides access to real-time market data, account management features, and the ability to execute trades.

One of the standout features of the Bitfinex API is its margin trading capabilities. Traders can use the API to trade on margin, allowing them to increase their buying power and potentially increase their profits. Additionally, the API is highly customizable, making it a great choice for traders who want to tailor their trading experience to their specific needs.

6. Huobi API

Huobi is a cryptocurrency exchange that offers an API for traders. The API provides access to real-time market data, account management features, and the ability to execute trades.

One of the benefits of the Huobi API is its advanced trading features. Traders can use the API to place advanced orders, including stop-loss and take-profit orders. Additionally, the API supports a wide range of cryptocurrencies, making it a great choice for traders who want to diversify their portfolios.

7. Bitstamp API

Bitstamp is a cryptocurrency exchange that offers an API for traders. The API provides access to real-time market data, account management features, and the ability to execute trades.

One of the benefits of the Bitstamp API is its security. The exchange has implemented various measures to protect users' funds, including two-factor authentication and cold storage. Additionally, the API is easy to use and well-documented, making it a great choice for both beginners and experienced traders.

8. KuCoin API

KuCoin is a cryptocurrency exchange that offers an API for traders. The API provides access to real-time market data, account management features, and the ability to execute trades.

Additionally, the API is highly customizable, making it a great choice for traders who want to tailor their trading experience to their specific needs.

The Bottom Line

The crypto market is rapidly growing, and having access to reliable and efficient APIs is crucial for developers and traders. The 8 must-try crypto APIs we've explored in this article offer a range of features and benefits to help you stay ahead of the game.

These crypto APIs can help you build innovative solutions and make informed decisions, from market data to trading tools.

Crypto Basics

Crypto Regulation – Opportunities, Challenges and Impact on Market

Token Metrics Team
7 minutes
MIN

Cryptocurrency may be a peer-to-peer digital transactional technology, but without proper regulation or framework, more scams will happen in the digital world. 

What crypto regulations are there in the market? How to understand if a particular crypto asset is an ardent follower of these rules? Does crypto follow any law? If yes, will these laws affect the price of the cryptocurrencies too? Let's find out.

What are Crypto Laws?

Crypto laws refer to the legal regulations and requirements that apply to activities related to cryptocurrencies, such as buying, selling, trading, and using them as a medium of exchange. 

These laws can vary depending on the country or jurisdiction in which the activities occur and can include regulations related to securities, commodities, taxation, anti-money laundering, and consumer protection.

Crypto laws aim to protect investors, consumers, and the financial system from the risks associated with cryptocurrencies, such as volatility, fraud, and money laundering. They are also intended to promote transparency and fairness in the market and to prevent illicit activities such as terrorist financing and the funding of criminal enterprises.

Some common aspects of crypto laws include licensing and registration requirements for crypto businesses, such as exchanges and wallet providers, as well as rules for capital gains, losses, and value-added taxes. Anti-money laundering and know-your-customer regulations are also often included in crypto laws to prevent using cryptocurrencies for illegal activities.

As the crypto market continues to evolve, so will the laws and regulations governing it. It is essential for investors and participants in the crypto market to stay up-to-date with the regulatory landscape in their particular jurisdiction in order to ensure compliance and mitigate risks.

How is Crypto Regulated in the World?

Crypto is somewhat regulated in the United States, but the specific regulations and requirements vary depending on the type of cryptocurrency activity and the state in which it occurs.

The regulation of cryptocurrency in the United States is primarily the responsibility of:

  • The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), 
  • The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and 
  • The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). 

The SEC and CFTC have authority over cryptocurrency exchanges and trading, while FinCEN is responsible for enforcing anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) regulations.

In addition to federal regulations, individual states have rules for cryptocurrency activities. Some states, such as New York, have implemented specific licensing requirements for cryptocurrency businesses, while others have yet to develop comprehensive regulations.

In Europe, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) regulates cryptocurrencies and initial coin offerings (ICOs). Each European country also has its regulatory authority, such as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom.

In Asia, the regulation of cryptocurrencies varies widely by country. Japan, for example, has implemented a licensing system for cryptocurrency exchanges, while China has banned cryptocurrency exchanges altogether.

Key Regulations that Every Nation Follows

To be honest, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The laws and regulations needed to regulate the crypto market effectively can vary depending on the specific circumstances of each country or jurisdiction.

However, some key areas that many nations may need to consider when regulating cryptocurrencies include the following:

Definition & Classification

Governments must define and classify cryptocurrencies, including whether they should be considered commodities, securities, or currency.

Licensing & Registration

Governments may need to implement licensing and registration requirements for cryptocurrency businesses, including exchanges, wallets, and other service providers.

Consumer Protection

Laws may need to be developed to protect consumers from fraud, scams, and other risks associated with investing in or using cryptocurrencies.

Taxation

Governments may need to develop tax laws specifically addressing cryptocurrencies, including rules for capital gains and losses and VAT or sales tax.

AML & KYC

Anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) regulations are essential to prevent money laundering, terrorist financing, and other illicit activities.

Security Standards

Regulations should be implemented to ensure that crypto businesses and their users adhere to specific security standards to protect against hacking and other security breaches.

International Cooperation

Due to the global nature of cryptocurrencies, nations may need to cooperate in developing consistent regulatory standards. The regulations needed to regulate cryptocurrencies effectively will depend on the specific circumstances of each country or jurisdiction and the evolving nature of the crypto market itself. 

Impact of Regulations on the Crypto Market

The impact of regulation on the crypto market can be significant and affect various aspects of the market. Here are some ways in which law can impact the crypto market:

Market Volatility - The announcement of new regulations can cause market volatility, as investors may become uncertain about the market's future. If the regulations are considered too restrictive, it may lead to a drop in prices, while regulations perceived as beneficial could increase costs.

Investor Confidence - Regulations designed to protect investors can increase confidence in the market, attracting more institutional investors and significant amounts of capital. This can ultimately lead to more stability in the market.

Adoption - Regulations that provide a clear legal framework for cryptocurrencies can encourage more businesses and individuals to adopt them. This can lead to increased demand for cryptocurrencies and, in turn, higher prices.

Innovation - Regulations can also impact innovation in the crypto market. Regulations that are too restrictive or burdensome can stifle innovation, while regulations that are designed to promote innovation can lead to the development of new technologies and use cases.

Compliance Costs - Compliance with regulations can be costly for crypto businesses, particularly smaller ones. This can create barriers to entry and limit the growth of the market.

While regulations can provide excellent protection for investors and encourage adoption, they can create uncertainty and increase business compliance costs. Regulators must balance protecting investors and promoting innovation in the market.

And here’s the million-dollar question!

Will the price of Bitcoin, Ethereum, or your preferred cryptocurrency suddenly drop upon the announcement of the subsequent regulation? 

It's a question worth a million dollars, but the truth is that nobody knows for sure. What we do know is that highly restrictive rules could hurt crypto prices. For instance, a regulation that bans crypto exchanges in the U.S. would make it difficult for U.S. residents to obtain cryptocurrencies, potentially causing a significant decline in the entire market.

Conversely, a regulation that mandates exchanges to maintain accurate records of trades and prevent market manipulation could attract more conservative investors, potentially leading to higher prices. Therefore, the effects of regulations on cryptocurrency prices can be either beneficial or detrimental.

Challenges of Enforcing these Regulations

Enforcing cryptocurrency regulations can be challenging for several reasons:

1. Cross-border nature of cryptocurrencies:

Cryptocurrencies are global, decentralized, and not bound by physical borders or jurisdictions. Therefore, enforcing regulations can be challenging, as different laws and regulations may exist in other countries.

2. Anonymity:

Cryptocurrencies allow users to maintain anonymity, making it difficult to track and identify individuals engaging in illicit activities.

3. Lack of regulatory clarity:

The regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies is still in its early stages, and some areas need more clarity. This can make it tough for businesses and investors to understand their legal obligations and create market uncertainty.

4. Rapidly evolving technology:

The technology behind cryptocurrencies is rapidly changing, creating the need to keep up with the latest developments, and ensure that their regulations are still relevant and practical.

5. Lack of resources:

Regulators may need more resources and expertise to effectively monitor and enforce regulations in the fast-paced and complex world of cryptocurrencies.

The Bottom Line

If you are an active crypto investor, understanding the current and potential future regulations is crucial for your portfolio. These regulations could impact various aspects, including your tax obligations, the types of cryptocurrencies available for purchase, and the procedures required to buy Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. 

Keeping tabs of the legislation is critical to becoming a knowledgeable investor.

Announcements

Introducing the Customizable Ratings Page for Best Crypto Opportunities

Token Metrics Team
7 minutes
MIN

Are you looking for a way to personalize your crypto investing experience like never before? Do you want to have access to a wealth of data and insights that can help you make smarter and faster investment decisions? If so, you’re going to love our latest innovation: the Customizable Ratings Page.

The Customizable Ratings Page is a powerful tool that allows you to tailor your Token Metrics dashboard according to your preferences and goals. You can choose from an expanded selection of columns and metrics, apply advanced filters, and save your preferred layout for future use. This way, you can have a streamlined and efficient interface that shows you exactly what you need to know about various cryptocurrencies.

In this blog post, we’ll show you how the Customizable Ratings Page works and why it’s a game-changer for crypto investors.

How the Customizable Ratings Page Works

The Customizable Ratings Page is designed to give you more control and flexibility over your crypto investing journey. Here’s how it works:

  • First, log in to your Token Metrics account and go to the ratings page. You’ll see our default columns that show you our ratings, predictions, fundamentals, technology, technical analysis, correlation rank, volatility rank, market cap rank, price change rank, volume change rank, liquidity rank.
  • Next, click on the “Customize” button at the top right corner of the page. You’ll see a list of additional columns that you can add or remove from your dashboard. These include: market cap dominance rank (how dominant is a coin in terms of market cap), price prediction accuracy (how accurate are our price predictions), ROI since inception (how much return has a coin generated since its launch), ROI 30 days (how much return has a coin generated in the past 30 days), ROI 90 days (how much return has a coin generated in the past 90 days), ROI 365 days (how much return has a coin generated in the past year), risk-adjusted returns (how much return has a coin generated relative to its risk), Sharpe ratio (a measure of risk-adjusted returns), Sortino ratio (a measure of downside risk-adjusted returns), max drawdown (the maximum loss from peak to trough), annualized volatility (the standard deviation of annual returns), skewness (a measure of asymmetry of returns distribution), kurtosis (a measure of tail risk of returns distribution).
  • Then, drag and drop the columns to rearrange them according to your preference. You can also resize them by dragging their edges.
  • Finally, click on “Save” to save your customized layout. You can also click on “Reset” to go back to the default layout.

You can also use advanced filters to narrow down your search for specific coins or criteria. For example:

  • If you want to see only coins with high ratings (>80%), high fundamentals (>80%), high technology (>80%), low correlation (<0.5) with Bitcoin or Ethereum
  • If you want to see only coins with positive price predictions (>0%), positive price change (>0%), positive volume change (>0%), high liquidity (>80%)
  • If you want to see only coins with high ROI since inception (>1000%), high Sharpe ratio (>2), low max drawdown (<50%), low annualized volatility (<50%)

You can apply these filters by clicking on the filter icon next to each column header and entering your desired values or ranges.

The Game-Changer for Crypto Investors?

The Customizable Ratings Page is more than just a cosmetic upgrade. It’s a game-changer for crypto investors because it offers several benefits:

  • It helps you focus on what matters most: With so many data points and indicators available in crypto investing, it can be overwhelming and confusing to keep track of everything.
    The Customizable Ratings Page lets you focus on what matters most to you and your strategy, whether it’s fundamentals, technology, technical analysis, price predictions, risk-adjusted returns, or anything else. You can eliminate unnecessary noise and clutter and have a clear view of the information that drives your decisions.
  • It helps you discover new opportunities: With over 6000 cryptocurrencies in existence, it can be hard to find new opportunities that match your criteria and goals.
    The Customizable Ratings Page lets you discover new opportunities by applying advanced filters that sort through our vast database of coins. You can find hidden gems that meet your standards and expectations, whether you’re looking for high growth potential, low risk, or niche markets.
  • It helps you save time and effort: Crypto investing can be time-consuming and exhausting if you have to manually research and analyze every coin that catches your eye.
    The Customizable Ratings Page helps you save time and effort by providing you with a quick and easy way to compare and contrast different coins based on various metrics. You can see at a glance how each coin stacks up against others in terms of ratings, predictions, fundamentals, technology, technical analysis, risk-adjusted returns, and more.

Here's a great video to give you a better understanding of the Customizable Ratings Page:

With an expanded selection of columns and metrics, advanced filters, and saved preferences, we’re putting users in the driver’s seat when it comes to analyzing and selecting the best investment opportunities.

At Token Metrics, we’re committed to providing the best tools and resources for our customers to succeed in the ever-evolving world of cryptocurrencies. The Customizable Ratings Page is just another step in our mission to help you make well-informed investment decisions, tailored to your unique goals and strategies.

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