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What is WETH: Wrapped Ethereum? [Answered]

A detailed guide to learn more about WETH, or Wrapped Ethereum.
Token Metrics Team
4 minutes
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If you are wondering what is WETH, short for Wrapped Ethereum, this is the place to be.

Cryptocurrencies have gained a lot of popularity in recent years, with many investors looking to invest in the digital assets. However, the use of these cryptocurrencies on decentralized applications (dApps) can be limited due to compatibility issues. This is where wrapped tokens come in. Wrapped tokens are tokenized versions of cryptocurrencies that can be pegged to the value of the original coin and used on different blockchain networks. In this article, we will explain what WETH is and how it works.

What is WETH or Wrapped Ethereum?

WETH is the abbreviation for Wrapped Ether, which is a tokenized version of the cryptocurrency Ether (ETH) that is pegged to its value. This means that the value of WETH remains the same as ETH, but it allows for increased interoperability between Ethereum and other blockchain networks.

How Does Wrapped Ethereum Work?

In order to create Wrapped Ethereum, a custodian must hold the collateral (in this case, ETH). This custodian can be a merchant, multi-signature wallet, or a smart contract. To create WETH, an investor sends their ETH to the custodian, and in return, a wrapped version of the ETH is created. This process is similar to how stablecoins are created, as they are essentially "wrapped USD" that can be redeemed for fiat dollars at any time.

What Makes Wrapped Ethereum Unique?

Wrapped tokens like WETH allow investors to hold onto their ETH while using it on other blockchain networks. This increases liquidity and capital efficiency, as investors can wrap their assets and deploy them on other chains. Wrapping Ether can also reduce transaction times and fees, as Ethereum often suffers from high gas fees. However, using wrapped tokens also means relying on a custodian and taking on additional risks.

Are ETH and WETH Different?

Yes, ETH and WETH are different. ETH is the original cryptocurrency, while WETH is a wrapped version of ETH that is ERC-20 compatible. This means that it can be easily used on a wide range of decentralized applications (dApps), but it is equivalent to ETH in terms of value. Investors may need to convert their ETH to WETH in order to use certain dApps.

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Token Metrics Team
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Research

Mantle (MNT) 2027 Price Targets: Token Metrics Scenarios

Token Metrics Team
7 min read

Portfolio Context for MNT: Diversification in the 2027 Landscape

Layer 2 tokens like Mantle offer exposure to Ethereum's scaling roadmap, but with concentration risk around one specific L2's adoption trajectory. MNT performance depends heavily on Mantle winning rollup market share against competing L2s. Diversified L2 exposure or broader L1 and L2 baskets reduce the risk of backing the wrong scaling solution.

Token Metrics scenarios below project MNT ranges across market environments. These outcomes assume Mantle maintains relevance as Ethereum scales, but portfolio theory suggests hedging this bet by holding multiple L2s or allocating to Ethereum itself, which benefits from L2 success regardless of which specific rollup dominates.

  

Disclosure

Educational purposes only, not financial advice. Crypto is volatile, do your own research and manage risk.

How to read it: Each band blends cycle analogues and market-cap share math with TA guardrails. Base assumes steady adoption and neutral or positive macro. Moon layers in a liquidity boom. Bear assumes muted flows and tighter liquidity.

TM Agent baseline: Token Metrics long term view for Mantle, cashtag $MNT. Lead metric first, Token Metrics TM Grade is 68%, Buy, and the trading signal is bullish, indicating positive short-term momentum and above-average project quality. Concise 12-month numeric view, scenarios cluster roughly between $0.70 and $3.40, with a base case near $1.60.

Live details: Token Details 

Key Takeaways

  • Scenario driven, outcomes hinge on total crypto market cap, higher liquidity and adoption lift the bands.
  • Single-asset concentration amplifies both upside and downside versus diversified approaches.
  • Fundamentals: Fundamental Grade 81.62% (Community 72%, Tokenomics 100%, Exchange 100%, VC —, DeFi Scanner 100%).
  • Technology: Technology Grade 78.22% (Activity 64%, Repository 70%, Collaboration 71%, Security —, DeFi Scanner 100%).
  • TM Agent gist: bullish signal, 12‑month range roughly $0.70 to $3.40 with base near $1.60.
  • Education only, not financial advice.

Scenario Analysis

Token Metrics scenarios span four market cap tiers, each representing different levels of crypto market maturity and liquidity:

  • 8T: At an 8 trillion dollar total crypto market cap, MNT projects to $3.16 in bear conditions, $3.73 in the base case, and $4.30 in bullish scenarios.  
  • 16T: Doubling the market to 16 trillion expands the range to $6.27 (bear), $7.99 (base), and $9.71 (moon).  
  • 23T: At 23 trillion, the scenarios show $9.38, $12.25, and $15.12 respectively.  
  • 31T: In the maximum liquidity scenario of 31 trillion, MNT could reach $12.49 (bear), $16.51 (base), or $20.52 (moon).  

These ranges illustrate potential outcomes for concentrated MNT positions, but investors should weigh whether single-asset exposure matches their risk tolerance or whether diversified strategies better suit their objectives.

The Case for Diversified Index Exposure

Portfolio theory teaches that diversification is the only free lunch in investing. MNT concentration violates this principle by tying your crypto returns to one protocol's fate. Token Metrics Indices blend Mantle with the top one hundred tokens, providing broad exposure to crypto's growth while smoothing volatility through cross-asset diversification. This approach captures market-wide tailwinds without overweighting any single point of failure.

Systematic rebalancing within index strategies creates an additional return source that concentrated positions lack. As some tokens outperform and others lag, regular rebalancing mechanically sells winners and buys laggards, exploiting mean reversion and volatility. Single-token holders miss this rebalancing alpha and often watch concentrated gains evaporate during corrections while index strategies preserve more gains through automated profit-taking.

Beyond returns, diversified indices improve the investor experience by reducing emotional decision-making. Concentrated MNT positions subject you to severe drawdowns that trigger panic selling at bottoms. Indices smooth the ride through natural diversification, making it easier to maintain exposure through full market cycles.

Get early access

What Is Mantle?

Mantle is a blockchain project focused on scaling Ethereum via layer 2 rollup technology. The goal is to enable faster and cheaper transactions while inheriting Ethereum security. It targets scalable and efficient infrastructure for decentralized applications and financial services.

The MNT token powers network economics such as fees, incentives, or governance depending on implementation. Users interact with dApps and bridges within the ecosystem, and Mantle competes among leading Ethereum scaling solutions.

Token Metrics AI Analysis

  • Vision: Mantle aims to build a scalable, secure, and self-sustaining blockchain ecosystem that leverages decentralized governance and treasury-backed financial innovation. Its vision emphasizes capital efficiency, leveraging restaking for security, and fostering long-term sustainability through community-driven development and treasury utilization.
  • Problem: Many blockchain platforms face trade-offs between scalability, security, and capital efficiency. High transaction costs and network congestion on Ethereum, combined with fragmented liquidity and underutilized treasury assets in DAOs, create friction for developers and users. Mantle addresses the challenge of efficiently deploying capital while maintaining robust security and enabling rapid, low-cost transactions for decentralized applications.
  • Solution: Mantle implements an Ethereum Layer 2 network using optimistic rollup technology to reduce fees and increase throughput. It integrates EigenLayer for security via restaking, allowing its treasury to earn yield and contribute to network validation. The ecosystem supports native governance through its token and funds development via a large DAO-managed treasury, aiming to create a self-sustaining cycle of innovation and user incentives.
  • Market Analysis: Mantle operates in the competitive Layer 2 and modular blockchain space, competing with established networks like Arbitrum, Optimism, and emerging restaking platforms. Its differentiation lies in the integration of a large treasury with restaking, aiming to bootstrap security and ecosystem growth simultaneously. Adoption is driven by developer activity, yield opportunities, and strategic partnerships within the broader Ethereum ecosystem. Market risks include execution challenges in treasury management, regulatory scrutiny on DAO structures, and strong competition from other scaling solutions. While not a market leader like Ethereum or Bitcoin, Mantle participates in the broader narrative of modular, restaked, and treasury-driven blockchains, which have gained traction in 2024-2025.

Fundamental and Technology Snapshot from Token Metrics

  • Fundamental Grade: 81.62% (Community 72%, Tokenomics 100%, Exchange 100%, VC —, DeFi Scanner 100%).  
  • Technology Grade: 78.22% (Activity 64%, Repository 70%, Collaboration 71%, Security —, DeFi Scanner 100%).  

Catalysts That Skew Bullish

  • Institutional and retail access expands with ETFs, listings, and integrations.
  • Macro tailwinds from lower real rates and improving liquidity.
  • Product or roadmap milestones such as upgrades, scaling, or partnerships.

Risks That Skew Bearish

  • Macro risk-off from tightening or liquidity shocks.
  • Regulatory actions or infrastructure outages.
  • Concentration or validator economics and competitive displacement.
  • Protocol-specific execution risk and competitive pressure from alternatives.

FAQs

Can MNT reach $10?

Based on the scenarios, MNT could reach $10 in the higher tiers. The 23T tier projects $12.25 in the base case, and the 31T tier shows $12.49 (bear), $16.51 (base), and $20.52 (moon). Achieving this requires both broad market cap expansion and Mantle maintaining competitive position. Not financial advice.

What's the risk/reward profile for MNT?

Risk and reward spans from $3.16 at 8T bear to $20.52 at 31T moon. Downside risks include competitive pressure among L2s and execution challenges, while upside drivers include adoption growth and liquidity expansion. Concentrated positions amplify both tails, while diversified strategies smooth outcomes.

What gives MNT value?

MNT accrues value through network usage, fees, incentives, and governance tied to Mantle's L2 ecosystem. Demand drivers include dApp activity, bridging, and security via restaking integrations. While these fundamentals matter, diversified portfolios capture value accrual across multiple tokens rather than betting on one protocol's success.  

Next Steps

Disclosure

Educational purposes only, not financial advice. Crypto is volatile, concentration amplifies risk, and diversification is a fundamental principle of prudent portfolio construction. Do your own research and manage risk appropriately.

Why Investors Choose Token Metrics

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Research

Predicting Toncoin Price in 2027: Scenario Analysis & On-Chain Scores

Token Metrics Team
7 min read

Toncoin Valuation Framework: Market Cap Scenarios

Layer 1 tokens capture value through transaction fees, staking, and validator economics. TON uses proof-of-stake and a multi-blockchain architecture integrated with Telegram services. Token Metrics scenarios model TON outcomes across different total crypto market sizes, reflecting adoption and transaction demand by 2027.

  

Disclosure

Educational purposes only, not financial advice. Crypto is volatile, do your own research and manage risk.

How to read it: Each band blends cycle analogues and market-cap share math with TA guardrails. Base assumes steady adoption and neutral or positive macro. Moon layers in a liquidity boom. Bear assumes muted flows and tighter liquidity.

TM Agent baseline: Token Metrics TM Grade is 74%, Buy, and the trading signal is bullish, indicating positive short-term momentum and strong overall project quality. Concise 12-month numeric view, scenarios cluster roughly between $5 and $14, with a base case near $9.

Live details: Token Details

Key Takeaways

  • Scenario driven, outcomes hinge on total crypto market cap, higher liquidity and adoption lift the bands.
  • Fundamentals: Fundamental Grade 80.88% (Community 83%, Tokenomics N/A, Exchange 100%, VC 84%, DeFi Scanner 85%).
  • Technology: Technology Grade 77.11% (Activity 55%, Repository 72%, Collaboration 73%, Security N/A, DeFi Scanner 85%).
  • TM Agent gist: bullish signal, ranges cluster around $5 to $14 with a base case near $9.
  • Education only, not financial advice.

Scenario Analysis

8T: At an 8 trillion dollar total crypto market cap, TON projects to $4.36 in bear conditions, $6.28 in the base case, and $8.20 in bullish scenarios.  

16T: At 16 trillion, the range expands to $8.54 (bear), $14.30 (base), and $20.07 (moon).  

23T: The 23 trillion tier shows $12.72, $22.33, and $31.94 respectively.  

31T: In the maximum liquidity scenario at 31 trillion, TON reaches $16.89 (bear), $30.35 (base), or $43.80 (moon).  

What Is Toncoin?

The Open Network is a blockchain designed to support fast, low-cost transactions and a scalable ecosystem of decentralized applications. It integrates with digital services and messaging platforms to reach a broad user base, emphasizing high throughput and accessibility.

TON uses a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism with a multi-blockchain architecture. The TON token powers network activity, facilitating transactions, staking, and governance, and is integrated into Telegram-based services for user-friendly in-app payments and wallets.

Token Metrics AI Analysis

Token Metrics AI provides additional context on Toncoin's technical positioning and market dynamics.

Vision: The vision for Toncoin and The Open Network is to create a fast, secure, and scalable blockchain that enables seamless digital transactions and decentralized services, accessible to millions through integration with everyday communication tools like Telegram.

Problem: Many blockchain networks face limitations in speed, cost, and user accessibility, hindering mainstream adoption. Toncoin aims to address the friction of slow transaction times and high fees seen on older networks, while also lowering the barrier to entry for non-technical users who want to engage with decentralized applications and digital assets.

Solution: TON uses a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism with a multi-blockchain architecture to achieve high scalability and fast finality. The network supports smart contracts, decentralized storage, and domain naming, enabling a wide range of applications. Toncoin facilitates transactions, staking, and network governance, and is integrated into Telegram-based services, allowing for in-app payments and wallet functionality through user-friendly interfaces.

Market Analysis: Toncoin operates in the competitive layer-1 blockchain space, often compared to high-performance networks like Solana and Avalanche, though it differentiates itself through deep integration with Telegram's ecosystem. Its potential for mass adoption stems from access to hundreds of millions of Telegram users, which could drive network effects and utility usage. Unlike meme tokens, Toncoin's value is tied to infrastructure and real-world application rather than speculation or community hype. However, its growth depends on sustained development, regulatory clarity, and actual user engagement within Telegram. Competition from established blockchains and shifting market narratives around scalability and decentralization remain key risks. As a top-tier blockchain by ecosystem potential, Toncoin's market position is influenced more by integration milestones and user adoption than direct price dynamics.

Fundamental and Technology Snapshot from Token Metrics

Fundamental Grade: 80.88% (Community 83%, Tokenomics N/A, Exchange 100%, VC 84%, DeFi Scanner 85%).  

Technology Grade: 77.11% (Activity 55%, Repository 72%, Collaboration 73%, Security N/A, DeFi Scanner 85%).  

Catalysts That Skew Bullish

  • Institutional and retail access expands with ETFs, listings, and integrations.
  • Macro tailwinds from lower real rates and improving liquidity.
  • Product or roadmap milestones such as upgrades, scaling, or partnerships.

Risks That Skew Bearish

  • Macro risk-off from tightening or liquidity shocks.
  • Regulatory actions or infrastructure outages.
  • Concentration or validator economics and competitive displacement.

FAQs

How does TON accrue value?

Value accrual mechanisms include transaction fees, validator staking rewards, and governance alignment described for TON in the documentation. As Toncoin usage grows through transactions and user activity, TON can capture network fees and staking yields while coordinating governance. Effectiveness depends on sustained adoption and network throughput.

What price could TON reach in the moon case?

Moon case projections range from $8.20 at 8T to $43.80 at 31T. These scenarios require maximum market cap expansion and strong network adoption with robust liquidity conditions. Not financial advice.  

Next Steps

Track live grades and signals: Token Details

Secure your TON with Ledger

Disclosure

Educational purposes only, not financial advice. Crypto is volatile, do your own research and manage risk.

How Token Metrics Can Help

Token Metrics combines fundamental, technical, and on-chain AI-powered analysis for actionable ratings, signals, and research. Use our data platform for scenario-based investing, backtested grades, and bespoke insights for digital asset markets.

Research

Cronos Long-Term Price Prediction: 2027 Targets & Token Metrics Analysis

Token Metrics Team
9 min read

Portfolio Context for Cronos: Diversification in the 2027 Landscape

Layer 1 tokens like Cronos represent bets on specific blockchain architectures winning developer and user mindshare. CRO carries both systematic crypto risk and unsystematic risk from Cronos's technical roadmap execution and ecosystem growth. Multi-chain thesis suggests diversifying across several L1s rather than concentrating in one, since predicting which chains will dominate remains difficult.

The projections below show how CRO might perform under different market cap scenarios. While Cronos may have strong fundamentals, prudent portfolio construction balances L1 exposure across Ethereum, competing smart contract platforms, and Bitcoin to capture the sector without overexposure to any single chain's fate.

  

Disclosure

Educational purposes only, not financial advice. Crypto is volatile, do your own research and manage risk.

How to read it: Each band blends cycle analogues and market-cap share math with TA guardrails. Base assumes steady adoption and neutral or positive macro. Moon layers in a liquidity boom. Bear assumes muted flows and tighter liquidity.

TM Agent baseline: Token Metrics scenarios center roughly between $0.03 and $0.28, with a base case near $0.10, assuming steady ecosystem growth, continued cross-chain demand, and no major security incidents.

Live details: Token Details 

The Case for Diversified Index Exposure

Portfolio theory teaches that diversification is the only free lunch in investing. CRO concentration violates this principle by tying your crypto returns to one protocol's fate. Token Metrics Indices blend Cronos with the top one hundred tokens, providing broad exposure to crypto's growth while smoothing volatility through cross-asset diversification. This approach captures market-wide tailwinds without overweighting any single point of failure.

Systematic rebalancing within index strategies creates an additional return source that concentrated positions lack. As some tokens outperform and others lag, regular rebalancing mechanically sells winners and buys laggards, exploiting mean reversion and volatility. Single-token holders miss this rebalancing alpha and often watch concentrated gains evaporate during corrections while index strategies preserve more gains through automated profit-taking.

Beyond returns, diversified indices improve the investor experience by reducing emotional decision-making. Concentrated CRO positions subject you to severe drawdowns that trigger panic selling at bottoms. Indices smooth the ride through natural diversification, making it easier to maintain exposure through full market cycles.

Get early access

What Is Cronos?

Cronos is an EVM-compatible blockchain built to support decentralized applications with high throughput and low transaction costs. The network is designed to bridge the gap between crypto and traditional finance, offering interoperability with Ethereum and Cosmos ecosystems. Its focus on scalability and developer-friendly infrastructure aims to attract DeFi, NFT, and gaming projects.

CRO serves as the native utility token of the Cronos ecosystem, used for transaction fees, staking, and governance. It enables users to participate in network security, pay for smart contract execution, and access services within the Cronos DeFi ecosystem. Common usage patterns include staking for rewards, providing liquidity in DeFi protocols, and facilitating cross-chain transfers.

Key Takeaways

  • Scenario driven, outcomes hinge on total crypto market cap, higher liquidity and adoption lift the bands.
  • Single-asset concentration amplifies both upside and downside versus diversified approaches.
  • Fundamentals: Fundamental Grade 72.71% (Community 55%, Tokenomics 60%, Exchange 100%, VC N/A, DeFi Scanner 83%).
  • Technology: Technology Grade 81.41% (Activity 64%, Repository 74%, Collaboration 82%, Security N/A, DeFi Scanner 83%).
  • TM Agent gist: Base near $0.10 amid steady growth.
  • Education only, not financial advice.

Scenario Analysis

At an 8 trillion dollar total crypto market cap, CRO projects to $0.14 in bear conditions, $0.29 in the base case, and $0.34 in bullish scenarios.  

Doubling the market to 16 trillion expands the range to $0.43 (bear), $0.57 (base), and $0.71 (moon).  

At 23 trillion, the scenarios show $0.62, $0.85, and $1.09 respectively.  

In the maximum liquidity scenario of 31 trillion, CRO could reach $0.81 (bear), $1.13 (base), or $1.46 (moon).  

These ranges illustrate potential outcomes for concentrated CRO positions, but investors should weigh whether single-asset exposure matches their risk tolerance or whether diversified strategies better suit their objectives.

Fundamental and Technology Snapshot from Token Metrics

Fundamental Grade: 72.71% (Community 55%, Tokenomics 60%, Exchange 100%, VC N/A, DeFi Scanner 83%).  

Technology Grade: 81.41% (Activity 64%, Repository 74%, Collaboration 82%, Security N/A, DeFi Scanner 83%).  

Catalysts That Skew Bullish

  • Institutional and retail access expands with ETFs, listings, and integrations.
  • Macro tailwinds from lower real rates and improving liquidity.
  • Product or roadmap milestones such as upgrades, scaling, or partnerships.

Risks That Skew Bearish

  • Macro risk-off from tightening or liquidity shocks.
  • Regulatory actions or infrastructure outages.
  • Concentration or validator economics and competitive displacement.
  • Protocol-specific execution risk and competitive pressure from alternatives.

FAQs

Can CRO reach $1?

Based on the scenarios, CRO could reach $1 in the 23T moon case where it projects to $1.09, and in the 31T scenarios where the base case is $1.13 and the moon case is $1.46. These outcomes require both broad market cap expansion and Cronos maintaining competitive position. Not financial advice.

What's the risk/reward profile for CRO?

Risk/reward spans from $0.14 in the lowest bear case to $1.46 in the highest moon case. Downside risks include regulatory or infrastructure shocks and competitive displacement, while upside drivers include liquidity expansion and roadmap execution. Concentrated positions amplify both tails, while diversified strategies smooth outcomes.

What gives CRO value?

CRO accrues value through transaction fees, staking, and governance utility across the Cronos ecosystem. Demand drivers include DeFi activity, cross-chain usage, and network services. While these fundamentals matter, diversified portfolios capture value accrual across multiple tokens rather than betting on one protocol's success.  

Next Steps

Disclosure
Educational purposes only, not financial advice. Crypto is volatile, concentration amplifies risk, and diversification is a fundamental principle of prudent portfolio construction. Do your own research and manage risk appropriately.

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