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Top Crypto Indices in 2025: The Best Ways to Invest in Crypto Without Picking Tokens

Explore the top crypto indices in 2025, including AI-powered strategies, passive HODL indices, and sector-based baskets. Learn how to simplify crypto investing with smart, diversified index portfolios.
Token Metrics Team
Top Crypto Indices in 2025: The Best Ways to Invest in Crypto Without Picking Tokens
MIN

Crypto investors in 2025 face an overwhelming number of choices. With thousands of tokens, rapidly shifting narratives, and constant market volatility, building and managing a profitable portfolio isn’t easy. But one solution is gaining traction among both beginner and seasoned investors alike: crypto indices.

A crypto index is a curated basket of tokens that provides diversified exposure to a specific segment of the crypto market. Instead of researching and buying individual tokens, you invest in a single index that tracks a group of assets—similar to how the S&P 500 or NASDAQ works in traditional finance.

In this article, we’ll cover the top crypto indices in 2025, explain what makes each one stand out, and explore how AI is revolutionizing index investing in the crypto space.

What Is a Crypto Index?

A crypto index is a portfolio of cryptocurrencies selected and weighted using a specific methodology. It can be passive—holding the top 10 tokens by market cap—or active, where an algorithm or AI rebalances the index based on market conditions.

Investing in a crypto index means you’re buying into an entire theme or strategy, not just a single token. This helps reduce risk, smooth out returns, and simplify the investing process.

Why Use Crypto Indices in 2025?

Here’s why crypto indices are more relevant than ever in 2025:

  • Diversification: Spread your capital across multiple tokens, reducing the impact of any single asset's volatility.
  • Automation: Many indices rebalance automatically, saving you time and effort.
  • Trend Exposure: Sector-based indices let you ride major trends like AI, DeFi, or Real World Assets (RWA).
  • Risk Management: AI-powered indices can reduce exposure or shift to stablecoins in bearish conditions.

Top Crypto Indices in 2025

1. Token Metrics AI Indices

  • Type: Actively Managed
  • Technology: AI-driven with over 80 data points per token
  • Themes: Memecoins, RWA, AI Agents, DeFi, Layer 1s
  • Frequency: Rebalanced weekly based on bullish/bearish market signals

Why It’s a Top Pick:
Token Metrics has pioneered a new generation of crypto indices that actively trade based on AI insights. Instead of static rebalancing, the AI identifies when to enter or exit tokens based on current momentum, volatility, sentiment, and technical indicators. These indices offer a smarter, automated approach to outperforming the market—especially in fast-moving sectors like AI tokens or memecoins.

2. Bitwise 10 Crypto Index Fund (BITW)

  • Type: Passive
  • Structure: Traditional investment vehicle (available via brokerage)
  • Assets: Top 10 cryptocurrencies by market cap

Why It’s a Top Pick:
BITW is ideal for investors looking for simple, long-term exposure to the largest and most established cryptos. It tracks the performance of the top 10 digital assets, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL). It's fully regulated and targets institutions or traditional investors entering crypto.

3. Phuture DeFi Index (PDI)

  • Type: On-chain, Passive
  • Focus: Decentralized Finance (DeFi) tokens
  • Access: Non-custodial, DeFi-native

Why It’s a Top Pick:
Phuture makes index investing seamless within DeFi ecosystems. Its DeFi Index provides exposure to high-utility tokens like AAVE, UNI, and CRV. Ideal for crypto-native users, it’s completely on-chain, composable, and doesn’t require intermediaries.

4. Index Coop – GMI (Bankless DeFi Innovation Index)

  • Type: Community-Governed, Thematic
  • Focus: Experimental and innovative DeFi projects
  • Governance: Managed by Index Coop and Bankless DAO

Why It’s a Top Pick:
GMI stands for “Going Mainstream Index” and aims to capture cutting-edge projects at the bleeding edge of DeFi innovation. It’s great for those bullish on next-gen financial infrastructure and looking for exposure to governance tokens, staking protocols, and experimental finance.

5. Crypto20 (C20)

  • Type: Tokenized Index Fund
  • Composition: Top 20 cryptocurrencies
  • Access: ERC-20 token (C20) represents index share

Why It’s a Top Pick:
Crypto20 was one of the first tokenized crypto index funds. It lets you invest in the top 20 cryptocurrencies through a single token, with auto-rebalancing and transparent weighting. It’s an easy on-ramp for beginners who want broad crypto exposure.

6. Token Metrics Global Market Cap Indices (HODL Series)

  • Type: Passively Managed
  • Available Indices: Top 5, 10, 25, and 100 by market cap
  • Strategy: Buy-and-hold portfolios for long-term investors

Why It’s a Top Pick:
These indices are designed for investors who believe in the long-term growth of the crypto market but don’t want to chase narratives. The HODL series is great for passive wealth accumulation with minimal trading activity.

Thematic Crypto Indices to Watch

If you’re looking to ride specific crypto narratives in 2025, these thematic indices are worth considering:

🔹 AI Tokens Index

  • Tracks top AI-focused crypto projects like FET, AGIX, and GRT.
  • Surging interest due to the AI boom in both tech and crypto sectors.

🔹 Memecoin Index

  • Includes high-volatility meme tokens like DOGE, PEPE, BONK, and WIF.
  • Great for traders who want to play high-risk, high-reward cycles.

🔹 RWA Index (Real World Assets)

  • Exposure to tokens that represent off-chain value: MKR, ONDO, XDC, etc.
  • Benefiting from institutional crypto adoption and tokenized finance growth.

🔹 Layer 1 Index

  • Tracks the performance of top blockchain platforms: ETH, SOL, AVAX, NEAR, etc.
  • Best for investors bullish on infrastructure plays.

How to Start Investing in Crypto Indices

  1. Choose a Platform – Token Metrics, Bitwise, Index Coop, or Phuture.
  2. Select an Index – Based on your interest: AI, DeFi, Memecoins, or Market Cap.
  3. Connect Wallet or Sign Up – Depending on whether it's on-chain or centralized.
  4. Fund Your Account – Typically via USDC, ETH, or fiat.
  5. Monitor Performance – AI indices may require weekly check-ins; HODL indices can be set and forgotten.

Final Thoughts: Crypto Indices Are the Smartest Way to Invest in 2025

Whether you’re a new investor or an experienced trader, crypto indices in 2025 offer one of the most efficient, diversified, and intelligent ways to grow your crypto portfolio. Platforms like Token Metrics lead the way with cutting-edge AI-powered indices, while more traditional players like Bitwise provide reliable exposure for institutional strategies.

By investing in an index, you’re not just buying a few coins—you’re gaining access to a curated, balanced, and often smarter portfolio that evolves with the market. And as AI and automation take over more of the investing process, index strategies are becoming even more powerful.

If you’re ready to stop guessing and start investing strategically, now is the time to explore the best crypto indices available.

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Token Metrics Team

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In a move that could fundamentally transform how crypto markets operate, Token Metrics has unveiled its highly anticipated AI-powered API and software development kit (SDK), providing the essential intelligence infrastructure that developers, traders, and institutions need to build their own high-performing trading AI agents.

The Intelligence Gap in Crypto Markets

For years, crypto market participants have faced a significant disadvantage against institutional players with proprietary AI systems. While most traders rely on lagging indicators and fragmented information sources, institutions leverage sophisticated algorithms and real-time analytics to capture alpha.

Token Metrics' CEO Ian Balina recognized this imbalance firsthand.

"What we've built is essentially the democratization of institutional trading advantages," Balina noted. "We're putting the same AI that spotted MATIC at $0.03 and SOL at $100 directly into an API that developers, traders, and funds can use to power their own trading agents."

Powering the Next Generation of Trading AI Agents

As trading agents and AI agents become mainstream in crypto, Token Metrics is positioning itself as the intelligence layer that fuels this trend. The API serves as the crucial foundation that enables users to build sophisticated AI trading agents without developing complex machine-learning models from scratch.

This API represents the culmination of web3 and AI technologies, helping brands and developers integrate advanced trading intelligence directly into their platforms, products, and services.

One API to Rule Them All: 20+ Intelligence Endpoints

The platform features over 20 specialized endpoints that developers can leverage to build various types of trading agents:

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According to early users, the sentiment analysis endpoint has proven particularly valuable. 

Building Different Types of Trading Agents

Token Metrics' API enables developers to create various specialized trading agents that are increasingly becoming essential in the crypto ecosystem:

CEX Trading Agents

Developers can build agents that automate profitable trades on centralized exchanges like Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken, with the API providing the real-time intelligence needed for effective decision-making.

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Perhaps, the most innovative aspect of Token Metrics' API is its tokenized access model, which stands in stark contrast to traditional subscription services.

Users can start with 500 free API calls monthly at zero cost, then unlock higher limits by staking TMAI tokens. This approach creates a self-reinforcing ecosystem where:

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Who's Building with the API?

The API has found traction across multiple segments of the crypto ecosystem:

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What makes Token Metrics' offering truly revolutionary is how it enables the shift toward agentic trading—widely considered the future of crypto markets. The platform has streamlined the onboarding process into three simple steps:

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  2. Explore Documentation: Comprehensive guides and tutorials help users integrate the API quickly
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The platform is currently accepting new API users, with a particular focus on developers building trading algorithms, portfolio management tools, and market intelligence dashboards.

Those interested in experiencing "the GREEN side of crypto" can visit Token Metrics Data API  to generate an API key and begin integrating this powerful intelligence layer into their trading systems today.

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Big news: We’re cranking up the heat on AI-driven crypto analytics with the launch of the Token Metrics API and our official SDK (Software Development Kit). This isn’t just an upgrade – it's a quantum leap, giving traders, hedge funds, developers, and institutions direct access to cutting-edge market intelligence, trading signals, and predictive analytics.

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The Token Metrics API delivers 32+ high-performance endpoints packed with powerful AI-driven insights right into your lap, including:

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‍Getting started with the Token Metrics API is simple:

  1. Sign up at www.tokenmetrics.com/api. 
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At Token Metrics, we believe data should be decentralized, predictive, and actionable. 

The Token Metrics API & SDK bring next-gen AI-powered crypto intelligence to anyone looking to trade smarter, build better, and stay ahead of the curve. With our official SDK, developers can plug these insights into their own trading bots, dashboards, and research tools – no need to reinvent the wheel.

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Now, buying ETH has never been easier! With Token Metrics, you can research, analyze, and purchase Ethereum all in one seamless experience.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Buy Ethereum

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To purchase ETH, you first need to access the Token Metrics trading platform. Simply log in to your Token Metrics account and navigate to the trading section.

2. Fund Your Web3 Wallet

Before making a purchase, ensure that you have a Web3 wallet such as MetaMask or Trust Wallet. Fund your wallet with crypto or stablecoins to facilitate transactions smoothly.

3. Use AI-Powered Analysis for Smarter Investing

Before buying, leverage Token Metrics' AI trading assistant (TMAI) to get real-time technical analysis and price predictions for Ethereum. Our AI-driven insights help you make informed decisions based on market trends and signals.

4. Buy Ethereum Seamlessly

Once you've reviewed Ethereum's performance, you can execute your trade directly on Token Metrics—no need to switch between multiple apps or exchanges. Simply enter the amount of ETH you want to purchase and confirm your transaction.

5. Securely Store Your ETH

After purchasing Ethereum, you can store it in your Web3 wallet for easy access or transfer it to a hardware wallet for added security.

Why Buy Ethereum on Token Metrics?

  • One-Stop Platform: Research, analyze, and invest—all in one place.
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  • Secure & Easy Transactions: No need for multiple apps or exchanges—buy ETH directly on Token Metrics.
  • Web3 Integration: Trade ETH effortlessly with your Web3 wallet.

Invest in Ethereum Today with Token Metrics!

Ethereum is at the forefront of blockchain innovation, and now you can buy ETH effortlessly on Token Metrics. Get started today and stay ahead in the crypto revolution!

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