From Retail to Institutions: Who’s Driving the Crypto Market in 2025?
Crypto markets are evolving — and fast. In the early days, retail investors dominated the space.
Token Metrics Team
4 min
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Crypto markets are evolving — and fast. In the early days, retail investors dominated the space. But by 2025, the tides are shifting. Institutional investors, family offices, and algorithmic funds are entering the market at scale. This blog explores the growing divide — and how it’s reshaping opportunities for everyday traders.
The Rise of Institutional Money in Crypto Over the last year, a new class of investors has emerged: professional firms with deep pockets and long-term horizons. They're no longer just “exploring crypto” — they’re actively deploying capital.
Why now?
Regulatory clarity in major jurisdictions
Bitcoin ETF approvals and crypto fund launches
Better custody, risk management, and analytics tools (including Token Metrics)
What Are Institutions Buying? Institutions tend to avoid meme coins and hyper-volatility. Instead, they focus on:
Layer 1 Infrastructure – Ethereum alternatives like Sui and Avalanche
AI Tokens – Leveraging real-world utility and strong narratives
DeFi Blue Chips – Projects with consistent TVL and governance upgrades
Token Metrics has seen a spike in institutional users filtering by Investor Grade and project fundamentals.
Retail Traders Still Dominate One Arena Retail traders are far from out — they dominate high-volatility narratives:
Meme tokens
Social coin launches (e.g., Launchcoin)
Short-term speculation based on influencer sentiment
Retail’s edge? Speed, risk tolerance, and virality. Many of Token Metrics’ bold signals still originate from this activity before institutions catch on.
Token Metrics Bridging the Divide What makes Token Metrics powerful in 2025 is its ability to serve both segments:
Institutions use it for due diligence, grades, and long-term planning.
Retail traders use it for short-term signals, alerts, and narrative tracking.
This dual capability creates a level playing field, where data, not capital, is the edge.
How to Trade Based on Who’s in Control
When institutions lead – expect slower but more sustainable growth. Focus on high Investor Grade tokens.
When retail leads – expect fast-moving pumps and dumps. Use high Trader Grade + bold signals.
Hybrid phase (now) – Use both metrics to balance volatility and long-term conviction.
Market Behavior Patterns to Watch
Low volatility + high inflows → Institutional buildup
High volume + sudden spikes → Retail-driven narratives
Diverging BTC vs. altcoin trends → Mixed sentiment cycles
Conclusion The crypto market in 2025 is being driven by both the old guard and the new wave. Institutions bring maturity. Retail brings momentum. Smart investors use tools like Token Metrics to read the room — and position themselves accordingly.
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Token Metrics Team
The Token Metrics Team comprises blockchain and cryptocurrency experts dedicated to providing accurate information and empowering investors. Through our blog, we aim to educate and inspire readers to navigate the world of cryptocurrencies confidently.
Token Metrics Team
The Token Metrics Team comprises blockchain and cryptocurrency experts dedicated to providing accurate information and empowering investors. Through our blog, we aim to educate and inspire readers to navigate the world of cryptocurrencies confidently.
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In the world of crypto, timing is everything. If you’re trying to turn $100 into $10,000, the holy grail is finding the next 100x altcoin before the masses catch on. These explosive opportunities are rare, but with the right tools and strategy, they’re not impossible to uncover.
In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to identify moonshot tokens—those under-the-radar gems that have the potential to skyrocket. You’ll also learn how to use Token Metrics, one of the most powerful AI-driven platforms, to spot them before they take off.
What Are Moonshot Cryptocurrencies?
“Moonshot” is a crypto-native term that refers to a low-cap cryptocurrency with the potential to deliver outsized returns, often 10x, 50x, or even 100x. These tokens may start unnoticed, trading at fractions of a penny, but once they gain traction, they can make early adopters massive profits in a very short period of time.
Key Traits of Moonshots:
Market cap under $50 million
High volatility with strong upward price potential
Community-driven marketing or narrative
Emerging sectors like AI, DePIN, Web3 infrastructure, or meme coins
Limited exchange listings (often only on DEXs)
Moonshots are risky—but with smart research and analytics, they can be strategic bets rather than blind gambles.
How Moonshots Work
Most 100x altcoins follow a predictable life cycle:
Early Accumulation – Whales and savvy investors quietly accumulate before the public is aware.
Trigger Catalyst – A social media trend, influencer mention, exchange listing, or big partnership sparks interest.
Volume Surge – Trading activity spikes, liquidity increases, and price begins to move.
Parabolic Rally – The token “moons” as retail investors jump in.
Top Formation and Correction – Early investors take profits; latecomers often buy the top.
Catching a moonshot before Step 3 is your goal. You want to be in position before the breakout, not chasing after it.
This is where Token Metrics becomes invaluable.
Why Token Metrics Is the Best Tool for Discovering Moonshots
Token Metrics is a crypto analytics platform powered by AI, machine learning, and real-time data. It monitors thousands of tokens and ranks them using quantitative models, helping traders and investors find opportunities before they trend.
With features like:
Trader Grade and Investor Grade rankings
AI-generated signals
Real-time ROI tracking
Integrated trading functionality
…Token Metrics helps you act fast and stay ahead of the crowd.
Let’s walk through exactly how to use Token Metrics to find the next 100x cryptocurrency.
How to Use Token Metrics to Find Moonshots
Here’s a step-by-step guide to using Token Metrics’ Moonshot system to uncover high-potential altcoins.
✅ Step 1: Go to the Ratings Page
Once logged into the Token Metrics platform:
Navigate to the “Ratings” tab from the main dashboard.
This section ranks thousands of cryptocurrencies based on AI-calculated Trader Grade and Investor Grade.
Trader Grade is especially important for short-term breakout potential—it reflects the strength of a token’s momentum and technical setup.
✅ Step 2: Click on the “Moonshots” Tab
In the Ratings interface:
Click the “Moonshots” tab at the top.
This filters the token list to show only those identified as moonshot candidates by Token Metrics’ AI models.
These tokens are selected using proprietary algorithms that scan for:
Sudden volume surges
Rising trader grades
Favorable technical and social signals
Market cap anomalies
These are the coins flying just below the radar—with massive breakout potential.
✅ Step 3: Review Key Metrics
Each token in the Moonshots tab includes real-time, high-signal data to guide your decision-making:
Trader Grade: How strong is this token’s short-term setup?
Change in Trader Grade: Is momentum building?
24-Hour Volume: Is there growing interest or liquidity?
Market Cap: The smaller the cap, the more upside (and risk).
Date of Entry: When was this token added to the Moonshots list?
Live ROI Since Moonshot: Has the token already moved—or is it still early?
You can also switch to Past Moonshots to see historical performance. Many past Moonshots have shown gains of 3x–20x within days of being listed.
✅ Step 4: Choose a Token to Explore
Click on any token from the Moonshots list to open its Token Details Page.
Here’s what you’ll find:
Live charts with technical indicators
Token fundamentals like supply, utility, and project roadmap
Top holder data to spot whales or early VC involvement
Sentiment scores and momentum shifts
This is where you do your research. Look for projects with:
Increasing community engagement
Clear narratives (e.g., AI, DePIN, meme, Layer 2)
Early whale accumulation
Undiscovered by influencers or major Twitter accounts
✅ Step 5: Buy in Seconds
Once you’ve found a token you like:
Hit the “Buy” button right from the Moonshots interface.
A swap widget will open inside Token Metrics.
Connect your wallet and execute the trade within seconds—no need to leave the platform.
This frictionless experience allows you to act immediately before the market catches on.
Pro Tips for Moonshot Hunting
Finding the next 100x crypto is part art, part science. Here are a few tips to sharpen your strategy:
Don’t Chase Pumps: Look for tokens with fresh momentum, not ones that are already up 500%.
Use On-Chain Data: Look for early accumulation, token holder growth, and low exchange balances.
Diversify: Don’t go all in on a single moonshot—spread risk across 3–5 plays.
Set Targets: Know your entry and exit strategy. Moonshots can reverse fast.
Final Thoughts
The next 100x altcoin won’t look obvious at first. It will likely be a small-cap token with limited press, an emerging narrative, and strong community energy.
By combining smart research, disciplined entries, and tools like Token Metrics Moonshots, you give yourself a major edge in spotting breakout coins before the explosion.
So stop guessing. Start using AI-powered insights to track moonshots, monitor early signals, and make informed trades that could change your portfolio—and your life.
🎯 Try Token Metrics now and unlock the Moonshots tab. Visit: www.tokenmetrics.com
In the world of cryptocurrency, the term “moonshot” isn’t just slang—it’s the dream. A moonshot is that rare token that delivers 100x or even 1000x returns, turning small investments into massive profits. But the real question is: how do you find these altcoins before they explode?
In this guide, we’ll break down what moonshots are, how they work, and most importantly, how to use Token Metrics—the leading AI-powered crypto analytics platform—to discover hidden gems before the crowd catches on.
What Are Moonshot Altcoins?
Moonshots are low market cap altcoins with high growth potential. These tokens often start under the radar, trading at fractions of a cent, and then experience explosive price action fueled by community hype, technical breakthroughs, or big news.
Common Traits of Moonshot Altcoins:
Market Cap < $50M – Small enough to grow exponentially
High Volatility – Swings of 20–100% daily are not unusual
Speculative Narrative – Often driven by trend cycles like AI, DePIN, or meme coin mania
Community Driven – Strong social momentum via X (Twitter), Telegram, or Discord
Limited Listings – Usually launched on decentralized exchanges (DEXs) before hitting major CEXs
These tokens carry high risk but also high reward. Timing and information are everything—and that’s where Token Metrics comes in.
How Moonshot Altcoins Work
The mechanics behind a moonshot typically follow a cycle of accumulation, hype, breakout, and profit-taking:
Early Accumulation – Smart money (including whales and insiders) buys in at low prices.
Volume Spike – Trading activity picks up as new investors notice price movements.
Parabolic Move – Price jumps rapidly due to FOMO and social media hype.
Peak & Correction – Early buyers take profits, causing volatility or sharp retracement.
Catching the token in Phase 1 or 2 is crucial. If you're entering during the parabolic move, the risk/reward ratio is much worse.
That’s why traders and investors rely on data and AI-powered tools like Token Metrics to identify moonshots before they explode.
How to Use Token Metrics to Find Moonshots
Token Metrics offers a dedicated Moonshots feature powered by machine learning models trained on thousands of historical signals. It helps you find high-potential altcoins before they go mainstream.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to finding moonshot tokens using Token Metrics:
✅ Step 1: Go to the Ratings Page
From your Token Metrics dashboard, navigate to the “Ratings” tab.
This is where tokens are scored using Trader Grade and Investor Grade, based on factors like:
Technical indicators
On-chain activity
Market momentum
Social sentiment
Trader Grade is especially important for identifying short-term opportunities and moonshot candidates.
✅ Step 2: Click on the “Moonshots” Tab
Inside the Ratings page:
Click the “Moonshots” tab at the top.
This filters tokens identified by the platform’s AI as having short-term explosive potential.
These are not random picks—they are selected based on:
Sharp trader grade increases
Unusual volume and price action
Sentiment spikes
Market cap vs. performance anomalies
The Moonshots page refreshes in real-time to capture fast-moving opportunities.
✅ Step 3: Review Key Metrics
Each token listed in the Moonshots section includes crucial data to guide your decisions:
Trader Grade (with % change over time)
24-Hour Trading Volume – Helps gauge interest and momentum
Market Cap – Smaller cap = higher potential upside
Date of Entry – Know exactly when the token was flagged
Live ROI Since Moonshot – See how it’s performed since it was listed
Want to see past winners? Just switch to “Past Moonshots” to view previous AI picks and how they performed over 7–14 days. Many tokens in this category have delivered 5x–20x returns in a matter of days.
✅ Step 4: Choose a Token to Explore
Click on any token from the list to open its Token Details Page.
Here, you can:
View a real-time price chart
Read a breakdown of fundamentals, including tokenomics, roadmap, and sector
See top holders (whales, insiders, or project wallets)
Review technical indicators, volume trends, and volatility
This deep-dive view gives you everything you need to make an informed decision—not just guesswork.
✅ Step 5: Buy in Seconds
Once you’ve done your due diligence:
Click the “Buy” button directly on the Moonshots page.
This opens a swap widget that connects to top DEXs.
Choose your wallet, confirm the swap, and you’re done—no need to leave the platform.
This seamless process saves time and allows you to act quickly in a fast-moving market.
Why Token Metrics Is the Best Tool for Moonshot Hunting
Finding 100x altcoins is about timing, data, and confidence. Token Metrics gives you all three:
🔍 Data-Backed Confidence
No more relying on anonymous influencers or Telegram groups. Token Metrics backs every moonshot with quantifiable metrics.
🧠 AI-Powered Predictions
The platform’s models constantly analyze price, volume, sentiment, and chain activity to spot anomalies and early breakouts.
📈 Transparent Track Record
You can review past Moonshots and their ROI—transparency that few platforms offer.
💡 Trade-Ready UI
With integrated swap functionality, you can go from discovery to execution in under a minute.
Final Thoughts
Finding the next 100x altcoin is never easy—but with the right tools, your odds improve dramatically.
Moonshots are real, and they happen frequently in crypto. But they’re only lucrative if you find them early, analyze them rationally, and manage your risk.
With Token Metrics, you don’t have to chase hype—you can rely on real-time analytics, AI-powered ratings, and actionable insights to guide your moonshot hunting.
If you're serious about catching the next 100x gem, start using Token Metrics today.
🚀 Start your free trial and unlock the Moonshots tab at TokenMetrics.com
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
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.
Token Incentives for Network Participation: Hardware operators are rewarded for contributing bandwidth, compute, or coverage—creating a new economic model.
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.