Crypto Basics

What Is a Moonshot? The Ultimate Guide to High-Risk, High-Reward Gems in Crypto (2025)

Learn what a moonshot is in crypto, how to find the next 100x token, and how to manage risk. Discover top moonshot tools like Token Metrics and key trends for 2025
Token Metrics Team
6 min
MIN

The term “moonshot” is everywhere in the crypto world—but what does it really mean? In 2025, as the search for the next 100x token intensifies, understanding the concept of a crypto moonshot is more important than ever. Moonshots offer massive upside potential, but they also come with high risk. So how do you find them, and more importantly, how do you separate hype from real opportunity?

In this guide, we’ll break down what a moonshot is, why it matters, how to identify one, and how tools like Token Metrics are helping investors discover the next big thing in crypto—before it takes off.

🚀 What Is a Moonshot in Crypto?

In crypto, a moonshot refers to a low-cap, high-potential cryptocurrency that could deliver outsized returns, typically 10x, 50x, or even 100x your initial investment. The term comes from the idea that a token is going “to the moon”—crypto slang for an explosive price increase.

Unlike established cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, moonshots are usually early-stage projects with small market caps, limited trading volume, and a high level of speculation. These tokens often sit under the radar, only gaining traction once a specific narrative, innovation, or market trend brings them into the spotlight.

🧠 Characteristics of a Moonshot Token

While no one can guarantee a moonshot, successful ones often share several key traits:

1. Low Market Cap

Most moonshots start with a market cap under $50 million, sometimes even under $10 million. This gives them room to grow exponentially as adoption increases.

2. Strong Narrative or Trend Alignment

Moonshots usually align with emerging crypto narratives, such as:

  • AI in crypto (e.g., TMAI)
  • Real-world assets (RWA)
  • Decentralized infrastructure (DePIN)
  • ZK rollups and Layer-2s
  • On-chain gaming and modular blockchains

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3. Innovative Technology or Unique Use Case

They bring new ideas or solve real problems, giving them the potential to disrupt existing models.

4. Early Community Traction

Even if small, moonshots typically have loyal, vocal communities that drive awareness and support adoption.

5. Token Utility

Tokens that play a critical role in a product’s functionality (staking, access, governance) are more likely to gain value as adoption grows.

6. Exchange Listings

Getting listed on a major CEX (centralized exchange) or DEX (decentralized exchange) often serves as a catalyst for price surges.

⚠️ Moonshot = High Risk, High Reward

While the upside is massive, moonshots come with serious risks:

  • Volatility: Prices can swing wildly in hours or minutes.
  • Scams and rug pulls: Many low-cap tokens are created with malicious intent.
  • Illiquidity: It may be hard to buy or sell large amounts.
  • Overhype: Narratives can fizzle out quickly, leaving bag holders behind.
  • Lack of product-market fit: Many projects never deliver a working product.

Risk management is essential. Only allocate a small portion of your portfolio to moonshots and always do your own research.

🔍 How to Identify Crypto Moonshots

Finding true moonshots is part art, part science. Here are practical steps to help spot them:

1. Use Token Metrics Moonshots Feature

Token Metrics, the leading AI-powered crypto research platform, features a dedicated Moonshots tab that helps users discover early-stage altcoins with massive potential.

Token Metrics uses AI models to:

  • Scan over 6,000+ tokens
  • Analyze 80+ on-chain and off-chain data points
  • Score tokens based on Investor Grade (long-term) and Trader Grade (short-term)
  • Highlight tokens before they hit mainstream radar

2. Follow Emerging Narratives

Pay attention to sectors gaining momentum—AI, DePIN, L2s, gaming, and RWA are hot in 2025. Moonshots often emerge at the intersection of narrative and innovation.

3. Explore Crypto Twitter and Discord

Many early-stage gems are discussed by small communities, KOLs (key opinion leaders), and early investors before any mainstream media coverage.

4. Check Tokenomics

A great idea can’t succeed with poor tokenomics. Look for:

  • Fair initial distribution
  • Deflationary or limited supply
  • Lock-up periods for team/investors
  • Strong incentive alignment with users

5. Monitor DEX Launchpads and On-Chain Metrics

Platforms like Uniswap, Camelot, or Base-native DEXs are where most moonshots launch first. Analyze:

  • Wallet distribution (whale vs retail)
  • Volume and liquidity
  • Holder growth

🔬 How Token Metrics Helps You Find the Next Moonshot

Token Metrics is the ultimate tool for discovering and validating moonshot opportunities. Here’s how:

🧠 AI-Driven Token Ratings

Get real-time Investor Grade and Trader Grade scores, generated by AI models trained on historical altcoin performance.

📈 Bullish & Bearish Signals

Get alerts when a token shows strong upside or downside momentum based on quantitative signals.

🚀 Moonshots Section

A curated feed of low-cap, high-potential tokens filtered by market cap, sector, risk level, and on-chain traction.

📊 Backtesting & Risk Analysis

Use simulation tools to see how a moonshot would have performed in different market conditions, helping you gauge timing and position sizing.

👉 Try Token Metrics with a 7-day free trial and start exploring moonshots with data, not just hype.

✅ Examples of Real Moonshots

In previous years, several tokens started as moonshots and delivered massive gains:

  • Polygon (MATIC) – Launched below $0.01, surged to over $2.50 at peak

  • Axie Infinity (AXS) – Went from cents to $165 during the 2021 gaming boom

  • Pepe (PEPE) – Meme coin that turned thousands into millions in 2023

  • VIRTUAL (SPX6900) – Token Metrics alerted this 55x trade before the crowd

In 2025, emerging moonshots include AI-powered tokens like $TMAI (Token Metrics AI)—positioned at the forefront of AI + crypto convergence.

🛡️ Tips for Safely Investing in Moonshots

  • Only use risk capital (money you can afford to lose)
  • Start small and scale positions after traction
  • Set profit targets and stop-losses
  • Diversify across 5–10 moonshot tokens
  • Use non-custodial wallets and keep private keys secure
  • Don’t chase pumps—enter early or not at all

Moonshot investing isn’t about certainty—it’s about asymmetrical bets with defined downside and massive upside.

Final Thoughts

Moonshots are the heartbeat of crypto innovation. They represent the bold, risky, and visionary projects that could reshape entire industries—or fade into obscurity.

In 2025, the opportunity to find the next Solana, MATIC, or PEPE still exists—but success comes from informed decisions, not hype-driven FOMO. That’s why platforms like Token Metrics are critical. With AI-powered research, curated moonshot lists, and real-time trading signals, Token Metrics helps you spot the gems before they moon.

So, what’s your next moonshot?

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Token Metrics Team
Token Metrics Team

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Rise of AI Coins: How AI Narratives Are Fueling the Next Bull Run

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Introduction
AI is no longer just a tech buzzword — it’s a dominant force driving the next wave of crypto innovation. In 2025, artificial intelligence has found a new frontier: blockchain. From infrastructure protocols to AI-native tokens, the market is seeing a surge in interest, investment, and returns for coins tied to the AI narrative. Token Metrics is at the forefront, helping users identify these explosive opportunities.

Why AI Coins Are Surging
The intersection of AI and crypto isn’t random. Three forces are converging to power this narrative:

  1. Mainstream AI Adoption – With tools like ChatGPT and Claude going mainstream, interest in AI has exploded.
  2. Decentralized Intelligence – Blockchain offers a secure, transparent way to distribute AI models and datasets.
  3. Speculative Momentum – The hype around AI is creating high-risk, high-reward token launches with strong upside potential.

Token Metrics’ AI Token Detection Strategy
Token Metrics uses its proprietary AI to identify early momentum in the market. Here's how it helped surface the best-performing AI tokens:

  • Volume spikes and unusual trading patterns
  • Token grades showing >80 Trader Score
  • Bold signals based on narrative tracking
  • Cross-chain analysis for upcoming projects

Ian Balina noted during the recent webinar that several AI coins have already delivered outsized returns — and this is just the beginning.

Examples of AI Tokens to Watch

  • Launch Coin – While not an AI token itself, its virality shows how fast narratives spread.
  • AI Infrastructure Projects – Platforms building decentralized compute for training and deploying models.
  • AI DeFi Hybrids – Tokens merging machine learning with trading, risk management, or yield optimization.

How to Ride the AI Wave
Using the Token Metrics platform, here’s how to position your portfolio:

  • Use Bold Signals: Sort by AI narrative to find breakout projects.
  • Set Alerts: Monitor new signal generation across top AI narratives.
  • Filter by Grade: Combine high Trader Grade with AI tag for high-conviction trades.

What This Means for Investors
The AI narrative is not a flash in the pan. It represents a paradigm shift in both technology and finance. Tokens that combine utility, vision, and timing will thrive. As always, early entry is key — and that’s where Token Metrics’ daily insights give users the edge.

Conclusion
AI tokens are fueling the next crypto bull run — and the smartest investors are already positioned. With real-time signals, narrative filters, and AI-powered grading, Token Metrics is your map through the chaos. The next big opportunity may already be on the Market Page.

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📈 Launch Coin’s Wild Ride: From 54 SOL to $4 Million

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The crypto world thrives on narratives, and few have captured attention in recent weeks like Launchcoin. Born from a blend of SocialFi innovation and meme-driven virality, Launchcoin has surged into the spotlight—offering both eye-popping returns and warnings of extreme volatility. Powered by Token Metrics’ AI insights, here’s a detailed look at where Launchcoin stands today.

🚀 AI Detected the Breakout Early

On April 20, 2025, Token Metrics’ proprietary AI model flipped bullish on Launchcoin. Since then, the token has rallied over 3x, proving the strength of the signal. Backed by machine learning models that track on-chain data, sentiment, and price action across multiple timeframes, the Trader Grade for Launchcoin is currently at a whopping 93.15%, designating it a Strong Buy in the short term.

However, after such an exponential surge, the platform’s analysts expect natural pullbacks as early buyers and whales begin to take profits. These corrections are healthy and expected in any meteoric price run—and should not be confused with a loss of fundamental strength.

🧠 Token Metrics Investor Grade: A Balanced Perspective

While short-term indicators are overwhelmingly bullish, the Investor Grade remains neutral, pointing to a more measured view on Launchcoin’s long-term potential. This signals that while there’s momentum, there are still structural risks—particularly due to its meme coin characteristics and reliance on hype cycles.

Still, a neutral long-term grade isn’t bearish. It suggests Launchcoin is currently stable at its elevated valuation, but investors should monitor developments carefully—especially as new features and ecosystem growth unfold.

📈 Launchcoin’s Wild Ride: From 54 SOL to $4 Million

The Launchcoin story has already minted millionaires. One trader reportedly turned an $8,191 investment (54 SOL) into $4 million after purchasing 14.62 million LAUNCHCOIN tokens when the market cap was below $500,000. This kind of exponential return is rare—even in crypto—and helped drive speculative interest across social media and trading forums.

Within just 22 days, Launchcoin’s market cap crossed $300 million, illustrating how quickly meme-based projects can capture market momentum, especially when they ride the wave of a compelling narrative.

🔄 Listings and Market Access

Launchcoin’s liquidity and accessibility have improved significantly. The token is now trading on major centralized exchanges:

  • Spot listings: Bitget, KuCoin, Gate.io, and MEXC
  • Futures: Recently launched on ByBit

These listings have broadened exposure, attracting a wider investor base and allowing leveraged traders to participate. Increased liquidity also reduces slippage, enabling larger capital inflows while minimizing execution risk.

🎭 From PASTERNAK to LAUNCHCOIN: The Rebranding

Initially launched as PASTERNAK, named after Believe’s founder Ben Pasternak, the project was rebranded to Launchcoin on May 2, 2025. The new name better reflects its core value proposition: empowering creators to launch tokens through a SocialFi model.

The model is simple but revolutionary—anyone can create a token by posting on social media with the “@launchcoin” tag. This lowers the barrier for entry into token creation and adds viral potential to every social interaction.

🧨 Risk and Volatility: A Speculative Bet

Despite its recent success, Launchcoin remains a highly speculative asset. Its meteoric rise is reminiscent of meme coin cycles seen with tokens like PEPE or DOGE. While Launchcoin offers a unique utility layer with its token-creation feature, its current valuation includes a significant hype premium.

Token Metrics encourages traders to stay nimble. With the AI trading signals, users can track grade changes in real-time, ensuring they’re not caught off guard by sharp reversals or cooldowns.

🧠 Final Thoughts

Launchcoin represents a blend of viral marketing, social token innovation, and AI-predicted trading opportunity. With strong short-term momentum, neutral long-term positioning, and significant ecosystem buzz, it’s a token to watch—but not without caution.

Whether you’re a trader riding the momentum or an investor assessing long-term viability, Token Metrics provides the data-driven edge to navigate Launchcoin’s volatility with confidence.

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Best Long-Term Crypto Picks for the 2025 Bull Market

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In a market full of noise, value investors are asking one critical question: what should I hold long-term?

Here are some of our top picks, based on fundamentals, traction, and longevity.

1. Grass – AI + Revenue

Grass stands out in the AI space. With over $15M in revenue from its browser extension and data resale model, it’s one of the few protocols generating real-world value. It’s a top AI blue chip we’re confident holding over multiple cycles.

2. Peaq – DePIN Infrastructure

Peaq positions itself as the Chainlink of decentralized physical infrastructure. While still under $1B FDV, it’s been consistent in development and narrative strength.

3. Sui – Consumer-Focused L1

Sui isn’t just another L1. Between Phantom wallet support, SuiPlay hardware, and growing dApp adoption, Sui has the elements to outpace older chains like Solana or Avalanche in user growth.

4. Parcl – Real Estate Derivatives

For exposure to real-world assets, Parcl offers a compelling play. Their UI is retail-friendly, listings are strong, and the market cap remains under $150M. This is one to watch as RWA adoption grows.

5. BitTensor – AI Infrastructure Layer

With a unique emission model and growing subnet usage, BitTensor remains the top AI infra token. Some even compare its long-term potential to early Bitcoin.

Bonus Mentions:

  • Uniswap / Aave / Compound – battle-tested DeFi with upcoming fee-sharing upgrades

  • Chainlink – oracle king still dominating infrastructure

  • Hyperliquid – sustainable revenue, EVM chain, and perps dominance

Final Words

The 2025 bull market will create noise—but also opportunity. These tokens aren’t just trendy—they’re infrastructure plays with real utility and upside. Allocate accordingly.

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