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What is a Gas Fee and How is it Calculated? Complete Guide for 2025

In the world of blockchain and cryptocurrency, "gas fees" are frequently mentioned but often misunderstood. These transaction costs represent a fundamental aspect of blockchain operations, affecting everything from simple cryptocurrency transfers to complex smart contract executions.
Talha Ahmad
5 min
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In the world of blockchain and cryptocurrency, "gas fees" are frequently mentioned but often misunderstood. These transaction costs represent a fundamental aspect of blockchain operations, affecting everything from simple cryptocurrency transfers to complex smart contract executions. Whether you're a newcomer exploring crypto or an experienced trader looking to optimize transaction costs, understanding gas fees is essential for navigating the blockchain ecosystem efficiently. This comprehensive guide explains what gas fees are, how they're calculated, and provides practical strategies for minimizing these costs—particularly important for active traders using platforms like Token Metrics to execute data-driven trading strategies.

Understanding Gas Fees: The Fundamentals

Gas fees are transaction costs that users pay to compensate validators or miners for the computational energy required to process and validate transactions on blockchain networks. Think of gas fees as tolls paid for using blockchain infrastructure—they ensure the network operates efficiently and securely while incentivizing network participants to maintain the system.

The term "gas" originates from Ethereum, where it refers to the computational work undertaken on the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). The analogy to automotive fuel is intentional: just as a car requires gasoline to operate, blockchain transactions require "gas" to be processed. More complex operations—like executing sophisticated smart contracts—require more gas, similar to how a larger, more powerful vehicle consumes more fuel.

Gas fees serve several critical purposes beyond simple compensation. They act as a deterrent against network spam by attaching costs to every transaction, making it economically unfeasible for malicious actors to overload the network with unnecessary operations. This security mechanism protects blockchain networks from denial-of-service attacks and ensures fair resource allocation among legitimate users.

How Gas Fees Are Calculated: Breaking Down the Formula

The calculation of gas fees involves several key components that work together to determine the total transaction cost. While different blockchain networks use varied mechanisms, Ethereum's gas fee structure provides an excellent baseline for understanding how these costs are determined.

The Core Components

Gas Limit represents the maximum amount of computational work a user is willing to spend on a transaction. This is essentially a ceiling on the resources that can be consumed. For a simple ETH transfer between wallets, the standard gas limit is 21,000 units. More complex operations, such as interacting with DeFi protocols like Uniswap, might require 100,000 gas units or more. Setting an appropriate gas limit ensures you don't overpay for simple transactions while providing sufficient resources for complex operations.

Base Fee is the minimum fee set by the network that adjusts dynamically based on demand. Introduced through Ethereum's EIP-1559 upgrade, the base fee changes automatically based on network congestion. When blocks are more than 50% full, the base fee increases; when they're less than 50% full, it decreases. Importantly, the base fee is burned (permanently removed from circulation) rather than going to validators, creating deflationary pressure on ETH supply.

Priority Fee (also called the "tip") is an additional fee users can pay to incentivize validators to prioritize their transaction. During periods of high network activity, offering a higher priority fee can significantly expedite transaction confirmation. Conversely, setting a lower priority fee during off-peak times can save money, though your transaction may take longer to process.

The Gas Fee Formula

The total gas fee is calculated using this formula:

Total Gas Fee = Gas Limit × (Base Fee + Priority Fee)

Let's walk through a practical example. Suppose you want to transfer ETH to another wallet, and current network conditions show:

  • Base Fee: 75 gwei
  • Priority Fee: 5 gwei (what you're willing to pay extra)
  • Gas Limit: 30,000 units (for this particular transaction)

The calculation would be: Total Fee = 30,000 × (75 + 5) gwei = 2,400,000 gwei = 0.0024 ETH

To understand the cost in familiar terms, remember that 1 gwei equals 0.000000001 ETH. Gas fees are displayed in gwei for better readability, as expressing these tiny fractions in ETH would be cumbersome.

Simple Transaction Examples

Basic ETH Transfer: Sending ETH from one wallet to another typically requires 21,000 gas units. If the gas price is 20 gwei, the transaction costs approximately 0.00042 ETH (21,000 × 20 gwei).

ERC-20 Token Transfer: Transferring tokens that follow the ERC-20 standard (like USDT or LINK) usually costs more than simple ETH transfers, requiring about 45,000 to 65,000 gas units depending on the specific token contract's complexity.

Smart Contract Interaction: Executing complex smart contracts, such as swapping tokens on decentralized exchanges or participating in DeFi protocols, can consume 100,000+ gas units, resulting in significantly higher fees during peak network times.

Why Do Gas Fees Fluctuate?

Gas fees are not static—they fluctuate dramatically based on network demand and activity levels. Understanding these dynamics helps users time their transactions strategically to minimize costs.

Supply and Demand Dynamics

Blockchain networks have limited capacity to process transactions within each block. When demand exceeds this capacity, users compete for block space by offering higher gas prices. Validators naturally prioritize transactions offering better compensation, creating a fee market where prices rise during congestion and fall during quiet periods.

Historical Gas Fee Spikes

Several events in blockchain history illustrate how demand drives gas fees:

The ICO Boom (2017-2018): When Initial Coin Offerings exploded in popularity, millions of new users flooded Ethereum to participate in token sales. The network lacked sufficient capacity, causing gas fees to spike dramatically.

DeFi Summer (2020): The rise of decentralized finance protocols like Uniswap and Compound Finance brought unprecedented activity to Ethereum. Users staking, swapping, and farming tokens created severe congestion, with fees often exceeding $50 per transaction.

NFT Mania (2021): Marketplaces like OpenSea caused extreme congestion as collectors rushed to mint and trade non-fungible tokens. During peak periods, gas fees exceeded $100 per transaction, pricing out many retail users.

Network Upgrades and Layer 2 Solutions (2022-2025): Ethereum's transition to Proof of Stake and the proliferation of Layer 2 scaling solutions have significantly improved fee predictability and reduced average costs, though fees still spike during periods of intense activity.

Strategies for Minimizing Gas Fees

For active crypto traders and investors—particularly those using advanced analytics platforms like Token Metrics to identify trading opportunities—managing gas fees effectively can significantly impact profitability. Here are proven strategies for reducing these costs.

Timing Your Transactions

Gas fees vary dramatically by time of day and day of week. Network activity typically drops during weekends and early morning hours (UTC timezone), resulting in lower fees. Real-time gas trackers like Etherscan's Gas Tracker or Gas Now provide current pricing and help identify optimal transaction windows.

For traders using Token Metrics to receive AI-powered buy and sell signals, timing transaction execution during low-fee periods can preserve more of your trading profits. The platform's real-time analytics help identify entry and exit points, while gas optimization ensures you're not eroding gains through excessive fees.

Leverage Layer 2 Solutions

Layer 2 scaling solutions process transactions off the main Ethereum chain, then batch-settle them on Layer 1, dramatically reducing costs. Popular Layer 2 networks include:

Arbitrum: Offers Ethereum-compatible smart contracts with significantly lower fees and faster confirmation times.

Optimism: Uses optimistic rollups to bundle transactions, reducing costs by 10-100x compared to Ethereum mainnet.

Polygon: Provides a complete ecosystem with extremely low transaction fees, often costing fractions of a cent.

Base: Coinbase's Layer 2 solution offering fast, cheap transactions while maintaining security through Ethereum.

Many decentralized exchanges and DeFi protocols now operate on Layer 2 networks, allowing traders to execute strategies without prohibitive gas costs.

Set Custom Gas Fees

Most modern wallets allow users to customize gas prices, balancing speed against cost. During non-urgent transactions, setting lower gas prices can save money, though confirmation may take longer. For time-sensitive trades based on Token Metrics signals, higher priority fees ensure rapid execution when market conditions demand quick action.

Use Gas-Optimized Contracts

Some protocols and wallets implement gas-optimized smart contracts that reduce computational complexity. Choosing platforms that prioritize efficiency can result in meaningful savings, especially for frequent traders executing dozens of transactions monthly.

Token Metrics: Optimizing Trading Performance Beyond Gas Fees

While managing gas fees is crucial for cost-effective trading, success in cryptocurrency requires sophisticated market intelligence and analytics. This is where Token Metrics stands out as the premier AI-powered crypto trading and analytics platform in 2025.

AI-Driven Market Intelligence

Token Metrics leverages advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze over 5,000 cryptocurrencies in real-time, providing traders with comprehensive insights that go far beyond basic price charts. The platform assigns Trader Grades (0-100) for short-term opportunities and Investor Grades for long-term potential, helping users identify winning tokens before they hit mainstream awareness.

This AI-powered analysis processes vast datasets including on-chain metrics, social sentiment, technical indicators, institutional flows, and market momentum—providing the actionable intelligence needed to make informed trading decisions that justify gas fee investments.

Integrated Trading Execution

In March 2025, Token Metrics launched integrated on-chain trading capabilities, transforming from an analytics platform into an end-to-end solution. Users can now research tokens using AI ratings, review detailed analytics, and execute trades directly on the platform through seamless multi-chain swaps—typically completing the entire process in under two minutes.

This integration is particularly valuable for managing gas fees. By consolidating research and execution on a single platform, traders reduce unnecessary wallet interactions and transaction steps, minimizing total gas costs while maintaining rapid response to market opportunities.

Real-Time Signals and Alerts

Token Metrics provides real-time buy and sell signals powered by AI algorithms that continuously monitor market conditions. These signals help traders time their entries and exits optimally, ensuring that when gas fees are paid for transaction execution, they're supporting high-probability trades rather than speculative positions.

Portfolio Optimization and Risk Management

Beyond individual trade execution, Token Metrics offers AI-managed indices and portfolio optimization tools that help traders maintain diversified exposure while minimizing unnecessary transactions. By reducing portfolio churn and focusing on high-conviction positions, users naturally reduce cumulative gas fee expenses over time.

Educational Resources and Market Analysis

The platform provides comprehensive educational content, market analysis, and research reports that help users understand not just what to trade, but why—and when. This knowledge empowers traders to make strategic decisions about transaction timing, balancing urgency against gas cost optimization.

The Future of Gas Fees in 2025 and Beyond

The blockchain industry continues innovating to address gas fee challenges. Several trends are shaping the future of transaction costs:

Free Gas Fee Solutions

Some networks like TRON have pioneered "free gas fee" models that eliminate or drastically reduce transaction costs. These innovations make blockchain applications more accessible to mainstream users who find traditional gas fees prohibitive.

Ethereum's Continued Evolution

Ethereum's roadmap includes further upgrades focused on scalability and cost reduction. The complete rollout of Ethereum 2.0 phases, combined with advanced Layer 2 adoption, promises to make gas fees more predictable and affordable while maintaining network security.

Cross-Chain Bridges and Interoperability

As blockchain interoperability improves, users can choose networks based on their gas fee structures for different use cases. Traders using platforms like Token Metrics can execute strategies across multiple chains, selecting optimal networks for each transaction type.

AI-Powered Gas Optimization

Emerging tools use artificial intelligence to predict optimal transaction timing, automatically route transactions through the most cost-effective paths, and dynamically adjust gas prices based on urgency and network conditions.

Conclusion: Mastering Gas Fees for Profitable Trading

Gas fees represent an unavoidable reality of blockchain transactions, but understanding their mechanics and implementing optimization strategies can significantly improve your trading economics. By timing transactions strategically, leveraging Layer 2 solutions, and setting appropriate gas parameters, you can minimize these costs without compromising execution quality.

For serious crypto traders and investors, success requires more than just gas fee management—it demands comprehensive market intelligence, real-time analytics, and integrated execution capabilities. Token Metrics provides this complete solution, combining AI-powered research with seamless trading execution to help users identify opportunities, optimize entry and exit timing, and execute strategies efficiently.

Whether you're making simple transfers or executing complex DeFi strategies, mastering gas fees while leveraging platforms like Token Metrics for market intelligence creates a powerful combination for navigating cryptocurrency markets profitably in 2025 and beyond. By understanding the costs of blockchain interaction and using advanced tools to maximize returns relative to those costs, you position yourself for long-term success in the evolving digital asset ecosystem.

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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.
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analysts, data scientists, and crypto engineers
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Recent Posts

Research

How to Find the Next 100x Cryptocurrency Before Everyone Else | Token Metrics Moonshots

Token Metrics Team
8 min

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:

  1. Early Accumulation – Whales and savvy investors quietly accumulate before the public is aware.
  2. Trigger Catalyst – A social media trend, influencer mention, exchange listing, or big partnership sparks interest.
  3. Volume Surge – Trading activity spikes, liquidity increases, and price begins to move.
  4. Parabolic Rally – The token “moons” as retail investors jump in.
  5. 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

Crypto Basics

How to Find 100x Altcoins Before They Explode | Token Metrics Moonshot Guide

Token Metrics Team
8 min

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:

  1. Early Accumulation – Smart money (including whales and insiders) buys in at low prices.
  2. Volume Spike – Trading activity picks up as new investors notice price movements.
  3. Parabolic Move – Price jumps rapidly due to FOMO and social media hype.
  4. 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

Research

Andrena and the Rise of DePIN: Decentralized Internet in 2025

Token Metrics Team
8 min

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

  1. 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.
  2. Token Incentives for Network Participation: Hardware operators are rewarded for contributing bandwidth, compute, or coverage—creating a new economic model.
  3. 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.

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