Crypto Basics

The Best Cryptocurrencies to Mine in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide

Cryptocurrency mining remains a viable way to earn passive income in 2025. However, with advancements in blockchain technology, changing mining algorithms, and rising energy costs, selecting the best cryptocurrencies to mine has become more complex than ever.
Token Metrics Team
5 mins
MIN

Cryptocurrency mining remains a viable way to earn passive income in 2025. However, with advancements in blockchain technology, changing mining algorithms, and rising energy costs, selecting the best cryptocurrencies to mine has become more complex than ever. This guide explores the top cryptocurrencies to mine in 2025, providing valuable insights to help you make informed decisions.

What is Crypto Mining?

Cryptocurrency mining is the process of validating transactions on a blockchain network by solving complex cryptographic puzzles using computational power. Miners are rewarded with cryptocurrency tokens for successfully securing the network and verifying transactions.

There are three primary types of mining:

  1. CPU Mining – Uses a computer's central processing unit. This method is largely obsolete due to inefficiency.
  2. GPU Mining – Utilizes high-performance graphics processing units, making it ideal for mining altcoins.
  3. ASIC Mining – Employs specialized hardware for maximum efficiency, often used for Bitcoin mining.

Top Cryptocurrencies to Mine in 2025

With evolving blockchain technology, some cryptocurrencies remain profitable to mine, while others have become impractical. Here are the best choices for 2025:

1. Bitcoin (BTC)

  • Mining Reward: 3.125 BTC/block (post-2024 halving)
  • Mining Method: ASIC mining (SHA-256)
  • Profitability: Moderate to high, depending on electricity costs and mining difficulty
  • Why Mine? Bitcoin remains the most valuable and widely adopted cryptocurrency, making it a reliable long-term investment.

2. Kaspa (KAS)

  • Mining Reward: ~166 KAS/block
  • Mining Method: GPU mining (KHeavyHash)
  • Profitability: High due to its energy-efficient algorithm
  • Why Mine? Kaspa is gaining traction for its innovative blockDAG architecture, allowing faster transaction speeds and scalability.

3. Monero (XMR)

  • Mining Reward: 0.6 XMR/block
  • Mining Method: CPU & GPU mining (RandomX)
  • Profitability: Moderate, but offers privacy-focused transactions
  • Why Mine? Monero is ASIC-resistant, keeping mining accessible to individuals using consumer hardware.

4. Dogecoin (DOGE)

  • Mining Reward: 10,000 DOGE/block
  • Mining Method: GPU & ASIC mining (Scrypt)
  • Profitability: Moderate, depending on market price
  • Why Mine? Dogecoin maintains a strong community and high transaction volume, making it an excellent alternative to Bitcoin and Litecoin.

5. Ergo (ERG)

  • Mining Reward: 45 ERG/block
  • Mining Method: GPU mining (Autolykos 2)
  • Profitability: High for GPU miners due to its energy efficiency
  • Why Mine? Ergo offers smart contract functionality with an energy-efficient mining process, making it attractive for sustainable mining.

6. Ravencoin (RVN)

  • Mining Reward: 2,500 RVN/block
  • Mining Method: GPU mining (KawPow)
  • Profitability: Moderate
  • Why Mine? Ravencoin is ASIC-resistant, ensuring fairer mining opportunities for individual miners.

7. Litecoin (LTC)

  • Mining Reward: 6.25 LTC/block
  • Mining Method: ASIC mining (Scrypt)
  • Profitability: Moderate to high
  • Why Mine? Litecoin remains a stable, well-established cryptocurrency with faster transactions than Bitcoin.

8. Zcash (ZEC)

  • Mining Reward: 3.125 ZEC/block
  • Mining Method: GPU mining (Equihash)
  • Profitability: Moderate
  • Why Mine? Zcash offers strong privacy features and is supported by major exchanges.

How to Start Mining in 2025

Step 1: Choose a Cryptocurrency

Research the best coin for your hardware and profitability.

Step 2: Set Up a Mining Rig

  • CPU/GPU miners: Build a computer with multiple GPUs.
  • ASIC miners: Purchase specialized hardware.

Step 3: Install Mining Software

Popular options include CGMiner, NiceHash, and PhoenixMiner.

Step 4: Join a Mining Pool

Pooling resources with others increases chances of consistent rewards. Top mining pools include F2Pool, Slush Pool, and 2Miners.

Step 5: Monitor & Optimize

Track electricity usage, optimize settings, and stay updated on network difficulty.

Pros and Cons of Crypto Mining

Pros:

  • Passive income potential
  • Supports blockchain security
  • Can be profitable with the right setup

Cons:

  • High electricity costs
  • Hardware can become obsolete
  • Increased mining difficulty over time

Is Crypto Mining Still Profitable in 2025?

The profitability of mining depends on factors such as electricity costs, mining difficulty, and market prices. Bitcoin mining remains profitable for those with access to low-cost energy and high-performance ASIC miners. However, GPU mining is still viable for altcoins like Kaspa, Ergo, and Ravencoin.

With the increasing focus on energy efficiency and sustainability, miners should consider eco-friendly mining operations to stay competitive.

Final Thoughts

Crypto mining in 2025 continues to evolve, offering opportunities for individuals and businesses. Whether you choose to mine Bitcoin, altcoins, or privacy-focused cryptocurrencies, conducting thorough research and optimizing your setup is crucial for success.

If you're looking to get started with mining, make sure to consider hardware costs, electricity consumption, and long-term profitability before making your decision.

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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.

Research

DeFi 3.0 and the Rise of Permissionless Lending – What's Changing in 2025?

Token Metrics Team
8 min
MIN

Introduction:
The DeFi landscape is evolving rapidly, and 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year. With innovations like permissionless lending, the ecosystem is transitioning into what many are calling DeFi 3.0. This blog explores what’s driving the shift, the platforms leading the charge, and what investors and developers need to know about this new wave.

What Is DeFi 3.0?

Decentralized finance (DeFi) has experienced two major innovation cycles:

  • DeFi 1.0 was defined by protocols like Uniswap, which revolutionized decentralized trading through automated market makers (AMMs).
  • DeFi 2.0 introduced concepts like protocol-owned liquidity, led by projects like OlympusDAO.

Now in DeFi 3.0, the focus has shifted to permissionless lending, advanced tokenomics, and integrated liquidity solutions.

The Core Drivers of DeFi 3.0

  1. Decentralization of Lending Access:
    Traditional DeFi lending platforms like AAVE require users to hold governance tokens or pass internal gatekeeping to create new markets. DeFi 3.0 protocols remove those barriers, allowing anyone to participate more freely.

  2. Integrated Liquidity and Lending:
    New platforms are enabling liquidity provision and borrowing from the same pool—merging the utility of DEXs with money markets.

  3. Improved Capital Efficiency:
    DeFi 3.0 focuses on optimizing the use of locked capital. Through smart contract automation, platforms allow users to earn on idle funds, reduce slippage, and optimize collateral.

Leading Platforms in the DeFi 3.0 Movement

1. Euler Finance
Euler has grown to over $1B in total value locked (TVL) and is rolling out a key innovation: EulerSwap. This module lets protocols provide liquidity for both swaps and borrowing in a single pool.
Key features:

  • Dual-purpose liquidity (swap + lending)
  • “Just-in-time” borrowing mechanisms
  • Smart contract automation for optimized usage

2. Morpho
Morpho is another high-growth player. With support from Coinbase and over $4B in TVL, it's becoming a serious challenger to AAVE. Its permissionless lending architecture and novel liquidity provisioning model stand out.

3. Hyperliquid
While not a lender per se, Hyperliquid’s approach to perpetuals (perps) trading is noteworthy. It has captured 11% of Binance’s perp market share, signaling DeFi’s growing ability to challenge centralized platforms.

Why Permissionless Lending Matters

The benefits of removing centralized control over lending markets include:

  • Faster innovation and product launches
  • Greater financial inclusion for emerging projects
  • Risk-based pricing by the market, not centralized governance
  • Enhanced decentralization and resilience

However, challenges remain. The risk of undercollateralized positions and protocol exploits still exist. That’s why security—such as smart contract audits and on-chain firewalls—is critical.

The Role of Token Metrics in Tracking DeFi 3.0

During the webinar, the Token Metrics team highlighted how their platform tracks the performance of DeFi 3.0 projects using metrics like:

  • TVL growth rate
  • Trader grade and investor grade
  • Bullish or bearish signals based on 80+ data points

For example, Euler’s bullish signal flipped just before a 30% price rise, demonstrating the value of data-driven insight in volatile markets.

What's Next for DeFi?

As the cycle evolves, we expect:

  • A proliferation of permissionless lending protocols across L1s and L2s
  • Better capital efficiency tools
  • Greater interoperability across EVM chains and Solana
  • On-chain integrations with tokenized real-world assets

Final Thoughts

DeFi 3.0 is not just hype—it represents a fundamental shift in how decentralized finance operates. Permissionless lending, composable liquidity, and institutional-grade risk controls are turning DeFi into a more mature, scalable ecosystem.

As always, perform your own due diligence and keep an eye on platform fundamentals, smart contract risk, and ecosystem adoption.

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