
Every hour you wait is a signal you miss.

Stop Guessing, Start Trading: The Token Metrics API Advantage
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.
Crypto markets move fast, and having real-time, AI-powered insights can be the difference between catching the next big trend or getting left behind. Until now, traders and quants have been wrestling with scattered data, delayed reporting, and a lack of truly predictive analytics. Not anymore.
The Token Metrics API delivers 32+ high-performance endpoints packed with powerful AI-driven insights right into your lap, including:
- Trading Signals: AI-driven buy/sell recommendations based on real-time market conditions.
- Investor & Trader Grades: Our proprietary risk-adjusted scoring for assessing crypto assets.
- Price Predictions: Machine learning-powered forecasts for multiple time frames.
- Sentiment Analysis: Aggregated insights from social media, news, and market data.
- Market Indicators: Advanced metrics, including correlation analysis, volatility trends, and macro-level market insights.
Getting started with the Token Metrics API is simple:
- Sign up at www.tokenmetrics.com/api.
- Generate an API key and explore sample requests.
- Choose a tier–start with 50 free API calls/month, or stake TMAI tokens for premium access.
- Optionally–download the SDK, install it for your preferred programming language, and follow the provided setup guide.
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.
Designing Robust REST APIs for Modern Apps
REST APIs are the lingua franca of web services: lightweight, stateless, and widely supported. Whether you are integrating microservices, exposing data to frontend apps, or connecting AI agents to external data sources, understanding REST API fundamentals helps teams design reliable, maintainable interfaces. This guide explains core concepts, design trade-offs, and practical measures to evaluate and harden REST APIs without providing investment guidance.
Overview: What a REST API Is and When to Use It
Representational State Transfer (REST) is an architectural style that uses standard HTTP verbs and resource-oriented URLs to manipulate resources. A REST API typically exchanges JSON payloads and relies on stateless requests, making it easy to cache and scale. Use REST when you need a simple, interoperable protocol for CRUD-style operations, public data endpoints, or when wide client compatibility is important.
REST is not the only option—GraphQL, gRPC, and event-driven architectures address different needs—but REST remains a pragmatic choice for many services because of tooling, familiarity, and HTTP ecosystem support.
Design Principles: Resources, Versioning, and Consistency
Good REST design follows predictable patterns so clients can discover and consume APIs with low friction. Key principles include:
- Resource-based URIs: Model nouns rather than actions (e.g., /users/{id}/orders).
- Use HTTP verbs: GET for reads, POST for creation, PUT/PATCH for updates, DELETE for removal.
- Consistent status codes: 200 for success, 201 for resource creation, 4xx for client errors, 5xx for server errors.
- Versioning strategy: Implement clear versioning (URI versioning like /v1/, header-based, or content negotiation) to evolve without breaking clients.
- Hypermedia as needed: HATEOAS can improve discoverability but adds complexity; weigh trade-offs by client needs.
Document endpoints, request/response schemas, and error formats consistently so consumers can implement robust integrations and automated tests.
Security & Authentication: Practical Safeguards
Security is non-negotiable for any public-facing API. Implement layered defenses and clear authentication methods:
- Authentication: Use OAuth 2.0 for delegated access or token-based schemes (JWT) for service-to-service communication. Clearly document token lifetimes and refresh flows.
- Authorization: Enforce least privilege with role- or scope-based checks on endpoints.
- Transport security: Require TLS for all traffic and disable weak ciphers.
- Input validation: Validate payloads, sanitize inputs, and apply strict schema checks to mitigate injection and malformed data risks.
- Rate limiting and throttling: Protect infrastructure and prevent abuse by enforcing limits per key or IP.
Security posture should be regularly audited and complemented by monitoring for anomalous behavior and automated alerts.
Performance & Scalability: Caching, Pagination, and Rate Limits
Scalability depends on predictable resource consumption and efficient data handling:
- Caching: Use HTTP cache headers (Cache-Control, ETag) to reduce backend load for idempotent GET requests.
- Pagination and filtering: For large collections, prefer cursor-based pagination to avoid expensive offset scans. Support server-side filtering and sorting to limit payload sizes.
- Asynchronous patterns: For long-running tasks, provide job endpoints and webhooks or polling endpoints rather than blocking requests.
- Rate limiting: Communicate limits via headers and return clear error codes (e.g., 429) with retry semantics.
Design for observability: expose metrics (latency, error rates), structured logging, and traces to diagnose bottlenecks and scale capacity proactively.
Integration with AI and Crypto Systems: Data Needs and Reliability
REST APIs often serve as the glue between data providers, AI agents, and crypto platforms. When integrating AI or on-chain data consumers, consider:
- Deterministic schemas: AI pipelines prefer stable field names and types. Use versioning to evolve schemas safely.
- Throughput and latency: Real-time agents may require low-latency endpoints and websocket complements; REST remains suitable for many batch and metadata queries.
- Data provenance: For crypto-related data, include timestamps, source identifiers, and optional cryptographic proofs if available.
- Rate and cost considerations: Some providers throttle or bill per request—design clients to batch requests and respect limits.
AI-driven research platforms can augment API workflows by scoring endpoints for reliability and signal quality. For example, tools like Token Metrics illustrate how analysis layers can be combined with data feeds to inform system-level decisions.
Build Smarter Crypto Apps & AI Agents with Token Metrics
Token Metrics provides real-time prices, trading signals, and on-chain insights all from one powerful API. Grab a Free API Key
FAQ: What is the difference between REST and RESTful?
"REST" refers to the architectural constraints defined by Roy Fielding. "RESTful" typically describes APIs that adhere to some or most of those constraints—resource-oriented URLs, statelessness, and use of HTTP verbs. In practice, many APIs are partially RESTful and combine patterns tailored to product needs.
FAQ: How should I version my REST API?
Common approaches include URI versioning (e.g., /v1/), request header versioning, or content negotiation. URI versioning is explicit and simple for clients; header versioning can be cleaner but requires strict client-server coordination. Choose a strategy and document deprecation timelines clearly.
FAQ: What are best practices for error handling?
Return consistent, machine-readable error objects with status codes, an error code, and a descriptive message. Include retry hints for transient failures and avoid exposing internal implementation details in error text.
FAQ: How do I test and validate a REST API?
Combine unit, integration, and contract tests. Use schema validation tools, automated API testing suites, and mock servers for CI pipelines. Contract testing helps ensure client-server compatibility across deployments.
FAQ: When should I use WebSockets or gRPC instead of REST?
Choose WebSockets for low-latency bidirectional streams (e.g., live feeds). gRPC can be preferable for internal microservices where binary performance and strict schemas are important. REST remains strong for broad compatibility and human-readable APIs.
Disclaimer
This article is educational and technical in nature. It does not provide financial, legal, or investment advice. Implementation choices depend on your project requirements, risk tolerance, and regulatory context. Validate architecture and security decisions with appropriate experts before production deployment.
Modern API Development Best Practices
APIs power modern software: they connect services, enable integrations, and surface data across web, mobile, and AI systems. Effective api development combines clear design, robust security, reliable testing, and observability so teams can iterate fast without breaking integrations. This guide frames practical approaches, architectural trade-offs, and tooling choices for building maintainable APIs at scale.
What is API development?
API development is the process of designing, implementing, documenting, and maintaining application programming interfaces that expose functionality or data to clients. It spans technical disciplines: API design (URL patterns, request/response shapes), data modeling, authentication/authorization, versioning, monitoring, and developer experience (docs, SDKs, testing sandboxes).
Think of API development as a product lifecycle: define consumer use cases, design contracts, implement endpoints, validate with tests and staging environments, onboard consumers, and monitor usage to iterate. Success metrics are often qualitative (developer satisfaction) and quantitative (latency, error rates, adoption, and SLAs).
Design principles & architectures
Start with a consumer-driven approach: catalog who will call the API and why. Use interface-first design to lock contracts early and generate client code. Common architectural choices include REST, GraphQL, and gRPC; each has trade-offs:
- REST: Simplicity and caching advantages for resource-oriented models; works well for broad public APIs.
- GraphQL: Flexible payload shaping for front-end needs and reduced round-trips; adds complexity in caching and rate-limiting.
- gRPC: Low-latency binary protocol for inter-service communication, ideal for microservices environments.
Key design practices:
- Version your API using semantic strategies (URI-based v1/v2 or header-based negotiation) and communicate migration paths.
- Design predictable, consistent error responses and document status codes and error schemas.
- Model idempotency for write operations to support retries without side effects.
- Provide client SDKs or OpenAPI/GraphQL schemas to speed adoption.
Security, testing, and performance
Security and reliability are non-negotiable. Implement the principle of least privilege for data access and separate authentication (who you are) from authorization (what you can do).
- Authentication & authorization: Use proven standards such as OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, or mTLS where appropriate. Rotate keys and support scoped tokens for limited privileges.
- Input validation & rate limiting: Validate payloads server-side and apply rate limits per consumer to protect backend resources.
- Testing: Automate unit, integration, contract, and chaos tests. Contract testing (e.g., with Pact or OpenAPI validators) prevents breaking changes from reaching consumers.
- Performance: Profile endpoints, use caching layers (CDN, edge caches), and optimize database queries. Apply circuit breakers and graceful degradation to maintain overall system health.
Scenario analysis helps prioritize hardening efforts: model the impact of a high-traffic surge, a compromised key, or a backend outage and define mitigation steps and SLOs accordingly.
AI tooling and automation for faster api development
AI and automation accelerate many facets of api development. Use code generation from OpenAPI or GraphQL schemas to produce client libraries and reduce boilerplate. Leverage automated testing frameworks to generate test cases from specification files and fuzzers to discover edge-case inputs.
For research and monitoring, AI-driven analytics can surface anomalous patterns in API usage, suggest performance regressions, and assist in prioritizing refactors. For example, integrating analytics and signal providers can help teams detect changes in on-chain or market data streams if your API exposes such feeds. Tools like Token Metrics show how AI can be used to synthesize signals and telemetry for complex data domains; similar approaches can be applied to API observability and decision support.
Practical automation checklist:
- Generate docs and SDKs from schemas to reduce manual errors.
- Implement CI pipelines that run static analysis, contract tests, and security scans on every PR.
- Expose telemetry (request traces, error rates, latency histograms) and use anomaly detection to trigger alerts and retrospectives.
Build Smarter Crypto Apps & AI Agents with Token Metrics
Token Metrics provides real-time prices, trading signals, and on-chain insights all from one powerful API. Grab a Free API Key
FAQ: What is the difference between REST and GraphQL?
REST is resource-oriented with fixed endpoints and responses; it is simple and cache-friendly. GraphQL offers flexible queries that let clients request precisely the fields they need, reducing overfetching but adding complexity in caching and query cost control.
FAQ: How do I version an API safely?
Choose a clear versioning strategy (URI segments like /v1/ or header-based negotiation). Favor additive, backward-compatible changes (new endpoints or optional fields). Communicate deprecation timelines and provide migration guides and SDK updates.
FAQ: What are the key security practices for APIs?
Use standardized auth (OAuth2/OIDC), validate inputs, enforce least privilege, rotate credentials, employ rate limits, perform regular security scanning, and maintain an incident response plan. Monitor for suspicious access patterns.
FAQ: How can AI help with API development?
AI can generate client code and documentation, suggest test cases, detect anomalies in usage patterns, and prioritize performance fixes. AI-driven analytics can aggregate telemetry to guide product and engineering decisions.
FAQ: What is contract testing and why does it matter?
Contract testing verifies that the provider's API implementation meets the consumer's expected schema and behavior. It prevents breaking changes by validating interactions in CI before deployment.
Disclaimer
This article is educational and informational. It does not constitute professional, financial, or investment advice. Descriptions of products and tools are informational only and not endorsements. Evaluate technologies and services against your organizations requirements and compliance obligations before adopting them.
How API Calls Power Modern Apps
APIs are the lingua franca of modern software: when one system needs data or services from another, it issues an API call. For developers and analysts working in crypto and AI, understanding the anatomy, constraints, and best practices around api calls is essential to building resilient integrations and reliable research pipelines.
What is an API call and why it matters
An API call is a request sent from a client to a server to perform an action or retrieve information. The request specifies an endpoint, method (GET, POST, etc.), headers (for authentication or metadata), and often a body (JSON or other payloads). The server processes the request and returns a response with a status code and data. In distributed systems, api calls enable modularity: microservices, exchange endpoints, data providers, and AI agents all communicate via these standardized exchanges.
For teams integrating market data, on-chain analytics, or AI models, api calls are the mechanism that moves structured data from providers to models and dashboards. Latency, reliability, and data integrity of those calls directly affect downstream analysis, model training, and user experience.
Protocols and common patterns for api calls
There are several common protocols and patterns you will encounter:
- REST (HTTP/HTTPS): Resource-based endpoints with methods like GET, POST, PUT, DELETE and JSON payloads. It is simple and ubiquitous for public data APIs.
- RPC (Remote Procedure Call): Calls invoke functions on a remote server (examples include JSON-RPC used by many blockchain nodes).
- WebSocket / Streaming: Persistent connections for real-time updates, frequently used for trade feeds and live on-chain events.
- Webhooks: Server-initiated HTTP callbacks that push events to your endpoint, useful for asynchronous notifications.
Choosing the right pattern depends on the use case: low-latency trading systems favor streaming, while periodic snapshots and historical queries are often served over REST.
Anatomy of an api call: headers, payloads, and responses
Understanding the pieces of a typical API request helps with debugging and design:
- Endpoint URL: The path identifying the resource or action (e.g., /v1/price or /rpc).
- HTTP method: GET for retrieval, POST for creation or complex queries, etc.
- Headers: Include authentication tokens (Bearer, API-Key), content-type, and rate-limit metadata.
- Body / Payload: JSON, form-encoded data, or binary blobs depending on the API.
- Response: Status code (200, 404, 429, 500), response body with data or error details, and headers with metadata.
Familiarity with these elements reduces time-to-diagnosis when an integration fails or returns unexpected values.
Security, authentication, and safe key management
APIs that provide privileged data or actions require robust authentication and careful key management. Common approaches include API keys, OAuth tokens, and HMAC signatures. Best practices include:
- Use least-privilege API keys: limit scopes and rotate credentials regularly.
- Avoid embedding keys in client-side code; store them in secure vaults or server-side environments.
- Require HTTPS for all api calls to protect payloads in transit.
- Log access events and monitor for anomalous usage patterns that indicate leaked keys.
These practices help prevent unauthorized access and reduce blast radius if credentials are compromised.
Rate limits, pagination, and observability for robust integrations
Service providers protect infrastructure with rate limits and pagination. Common patterns to handle these include exponential backoff for 429 responses, caching frequently requested data, and using pagination or cursor-based requests for large datasets. Observability is critical:
- Track latency, error rates, and throughput per endpoint.
- Implement alerting on rising error ratios or slow responses.
- Use tracing and request IDs to correlate client logs with provider logs during investigations.
Monitoring trends in api call performance allows teams to proactively adjust retry strategies, request batching, or move to streaming alternatives when appropriate.
Testing, debugging, and staging strategies
Reliable integrations require systematic testing at multiple levels:
- Unit tests: Mock API responses to validate client logic.
- Integration tests: Run against staging endpoints or recorded fixtures to validate end-to-end behavior.
- Load tests: Simulate traffic patterns to surface rate-limit issues and resource constraints.
- Replay and sandboxing: For financial and on-chain data, use historical replays to validate processing pipelines without hitting production rate limits.
Tools like Postman, HTTP clients with built-in retries, and API schema validators (OpenAPI/Swagger) speed up development and reduce runtime surprises.
Build Smarter Crypto Apps & AI Agents with Token Metrics
Token Metrics provides real-time prices, trading signals, and on-chain insights all from one powerful API. Grab a Free API Key
What is an API call?
An api call is a client request to a server asking for data or to perform an action. It includes an endpoint, method, headers, and sometimes a payload; the server returns a status and response data.
REST vs RPC: which model should I use?
REST is resource-oriented and easy to cache and inspect; RPC is procedural and can be simpler for calling node functions (for example, blockchain RPC endpoints). Choose based on the data shape, latency needs, and provider options.
How do I handle rate limits and 429 errors?
Implement exponential backoff, respect Retry-After headers when provided, batch requests where possible, and use caching to reduce repeated queries. Monitoring helps you adapt request rates before limits are hit.
How should I secure API keys?
Store keys in server-side environments or secrets managers, rotate keys regularly, limit scopes, and never commit them to source control. Use environment variables and access controls to minimize exposure.
What tools help test and debug api calls?
Postman, curl, HTTP client libraries, OpenAPI validators, and request-tracing tools are useful. Unit and integration tests with mocked responses catch regressions early.
Disclaimer
This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It explains technical concepts related to api calls and integration practices and does not provide financial, investment, or trading advice. Readers should conduct their own research and consult appropriate professionals before acting on technical or market-related information.
Recent Posts

What is Crypto Burning: Meaning, Definition, and Explanation
In this article, we will explain what crypto burning is, how it is done, and why it is done. We will also discuss the potential benefits and risks of burning crypto, as well as the role of developers and miners in the process. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of how crypto burning works and whether it is something that you may want to consider for your own crypto investments.
What Does it Mean to Burn Crypto?
Crypto burning is the process of removing cryptocurrency from the blockchain. This concept originated from traditional stock markets and is facilitated by smart contracts. When tokens are burned, it can increase the value of the asset and make it more attractive to investors. It can also have benefits for tax regulations.
How is Crypto Burned?
The process of burning involves sending tokens to an invalid wallet address, where they cannot be accessed. This is typically done by developers or miners to manipulate the supply of tokens and potentially increase their value.
Why Burn Crypto Coins?
Developers burn tokens for many reasons, including to increase the value of the asset, create hype, and improve the business model. By decreasing the supply of tokens in circulation, they can also help to combat the effects of inflation and make the market more stable.
Can You Burn Crypto?
Technically, anyone can burn crypto. However, it is not advisable for individual investors to burn their own tokens as the coins will be permanently lost. Instead, they may want to consider staking or trading their crypto.
What is Crypto Buyback?
Crypto buyback is the process of repurchasing tokens from circulation. This is typically done by developers to decrease the supply of tokens and potentially increase their value. Buybacks are regulated by smart contracts, which ensures that the removed tokens will never resurface. This can be a good way for investors to encourage long-term holding (HODLing) of the tokens.

How to Create a Crypto Coin? 3 Ways to Do It
In today's world of decentralization and blockchain technology, creating your own cryptocurrency has become a viable option for individuals and businesses alike. But how exactly does one go about creating a cryptocurrency? In this post, we will explore three methods for creating a cryptocurrency, ranging from the most difficult to the easiest. Whether you want to create your own blockchain, fork an existing one, or launch a token on an existing platform, this guide will provide a comprehensive overview of the steps involved. Let's dive in!
How To Create A Crypto Coin?
We are going to explain three ways to create a cryptocurrency, from basic to advanced.
Create your own blockchain (advanced)
- Choose a consensus mechanism: Determine how transactions will be validated on your network
- Design the blockchain architecture: Define who can create blocks, validate transactions, and access data
- Create a user interface: Make sure the user experience is enjoyable
- Audit crypto and code: Hire experts to review your code to ensure security and compliance
Fork an existing blockchain (intermediate)
- Choose a blockchain to fork: Decide on an existing blockchain that aligns with your goals
- Clone the blockchain: Create a copy of the chosen blockchain's code
- Modify the code: Make any necessary changes to the code to suit your needs
- Launch your blockchain: Deploy your modified blockchain and begin mining
Launch a token on an existing platform (basic)
- Choose a blockchain: Decide on a blockchain that supports the creation of tokens, like Ethereum
- Follow the platform's instructions: Each platform will have its own process for creating and launching a token - you can also use sites like Token Factory to launch your token
- Promote and distribute your token: Once your token is live, market and distribute it to potential users.
What is the Difference Between a Coin and a Token?
A coin and a token are both types of cryptocurrency, but they have some key differences. A coin is a cryptocurrency that runs on its own blockchain, meaning it has its own independent infrastructure and user base. Examples of coins include Bitcoin and Litecoin.
On the other hand, a token is a cryptocurrency that is built on top of an existing blockchain, using the infrastructure and user base of that blockchain. Tokens are often created to represent a specific asset or utility, such as rewards points or event tickets. Examples of tokens include Tether and Shiba Inu.
Another key difference between coins and tokens is their relative scarcity. Since there can only be one coin on a given blockchain, the supply of coins is limited. This can give coins a certain level of value and scarcity, which can make them attractive to investors. In contrast, there can be an unlimited number of tokens on a given blockchain, which can make them less scarce and potentially less valuable.
It's important to understand the differences between coins and tokens when creating your own cryptocurrency. Depending on your goals and requirements, you may decide to create a coin or a token, or even both. With a clear understanding of the differences between the two, you can make an informed decision and choose the right approach for your project.
A Few Things to Consider Before Designing Your Crypto Coin:
There are several important things to consider before designing your crypto coin. These considerations will help you make informed decisions and increase the chances of success for your project.
First, you should consider the utility of your cryptocurrency. What value does it offer to users? Why would someone want to buy and use your cryptocurrency? What problems does it solve? Answering these questions will help you understand the potential value of your cryptocurrency and determine its utility.
Second, you should consider any regulatory and legal requirements. Cryptocurrency is a rapidly evolving field, and laws and regulations can change quickly. It's important to understand any compliance issues in your area and make sure your project adheres to all relevant regulations.
Third, you should consider the tokenomics of your cryptocurrency. Tokenomics is the study of the economics of a crypto project, including factors such as initial pricing, supply, emissions, distribution, market capitalization, and potential value. Understanding the tokenomics of your project will help you make informed decisions about how to structure your cryptocurrency and maximize its potential value.
Overall, it's important to carefully consider these factors before designing your crypto coin. By taking the time to understand your goals, requirements, and the economics of your project, you can increase the chances of success for your cryptocurrency.

Bullish in Crypto: Definition, Meaning, and Explanation
In the world of cryptocurrency, the terms "bullish" and "bearish" are commonly used to describe an investor's confidence in the potential growth of a particular crypto asset. But what do these terms really mean, and how do they apply to the crypto market? In this article, we will provide a comprehensive explanation of these terms, including the concept of a "bull run" and how it applies to both cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
What Does Bullish Mean in Crypto?
The terms "bullish" and "bearish" are commonly used in the financial market to describe the confidence an investor has in the potential growth of a financial asset. In the context of the crypto market, a "bullish" investor is one who believes that a particular cryptocurrency or non-fungible token (NFT) will rise in value. This confidence is often seen when the market is experiencing growth and gains are being made.
What Is Bull Run
A "bull run" in the crypto market is a period of time during which there is high demand for cryptocurrencies and NFTs, leading to an increase in prices. This increase is driven by confidence in the market, as investors are more likely to buy when they believe prices will continue to rise. A bull run typically includes an increase in the value of well-known cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Binance, and Solana, as these have the highest market capitalizations.
Bullish On NFTs
The concept of a "bull market" also applies to the market for non-fungible tokens (NFTs). In this context, a bull market is characterized by high demand for NFTs, which drives up their prices. Factors that can lead to increased demand for NFTs include strong marketing and community support from the development team, as well as the utility and scarcity of the NFTs. A collector, trader, or creator may feel bullish about a particular NFT project if they believe it has strong potential for growth. This bullish sentiment can lead to higher prices for the NFTs and a decrease in market supply.
Final Thoughts
It is important for investors to understand the terminology used in the crypto market in order to make informed decisions about their investments. The terms "bullish" and "bearish" are commonly used to describe confidence in the potential growth of a crypto asset. A "bull run" is a period of time during which there is high demand for cryptocurrencies and NFTs, leading to an increase in prices. In the NFT space, a bull market is characterized by high demand for NFTs, which drives up their prices.

What are NFTs? NFT Art Explained | Future of NFTs
You may have heard of CryptoPunks, Bored Ape Yacht Club, and VeeFriends, but you may not understand what they are. These names may sound like random combinations of words, but they actually represent some of the most valuable non-fungible token (NFT) projects that have emerged in the past few years.
The world of crypto art and NFTs may appear complex and mysterious, with a mix of celebrities, influencers, and internet experts. But it's not as confusing as it seems. Let's start from the beginning.
What Is An NFT?
Nearly all crypto art that has been introduced to the market has been done so through the minting of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). NFTs are digital assets that have verified proof of ownership. While "fungible tokens" like the US dollar can be easily traded (like exchanging 4 quarters for a dollar), each NFT is unique and cannot be easily traded. For example, imagine a sketch of "Starry Night" by Vincent Van Gogh that has been authenticated by a fine art appraiser as an original. This sketch would be non-fungible because you could not easily exchange it for, say, an original sketch by Leonardo da Vinci. This concept is easy to understand with tangible items like art pieces or collectible cards, but when digital assets can range from a celebrity tweet to an iconic meme to a picture of a pimped out animated ape, it may be confusing.
How Can We Ensure Unique Authenticity?
This is where NFTs enter the scene. Say you are a graphic design artist who just finished your newest 1-of-1 piece of work and you want to sell it as an NFT. Whoever purchases this piece would not only receive the artwork but they would also receive a “digital receipt” that proves that this exact piece is original, unique and authentic.
“But What If I Just Screenshot This Digital Artwork? Wouldn’t I Technically Own the Piece as Well?”
This is the first question that many have mockingly asked on social media and internet forums. The easy answer: yes, you can screenshot practically all digital artwork, but no, that does not mean you own it.
For example, millions of people swarm into the Louvre every year, waiting patiently amidst a giddy crowd, just to capture a picture of the priceless Mona Lisa. Obviously, a picture of the Mona Lisa saved on your iPhone camera roll does not mean that you own that painting.
NFTs work the same way.
Just as the Louvre paid millions of dollars to own, maintain, and display the Mona Lisa in their museum, NFT buyers do the same. However, the main difference is that instead of paying dollars to house the art in a fancy museum, they are paying with cryptocurrency and housing their art in a virtual showcase, so to speak.
This is the basis for how NFTs, cryptocurrency, and blockchain technology are establishing a new and lucrative market for digital art and artists.
The Art of Being Digital
In a 2021 interview, Gary Vaynerchuk (founder of Vayner Media and creator of VeeFriends) made the following statement regarding NFTs. The interviewer remarks on the tangibility of NFTs stating, "the digital aspect, like, you can't see it" — Gary jumps in:
"Well, you can't see a blue check on Instagram? I don't walk around the world with a blue check tattooed on my forehead, but everybody sees it. You can't see my 9 million followers on Instagram, or can you? I would argue the reverse. I would argue that people can't see most of the fancy things you have in your house; that people can see more digital than real life."
And he's onto something, and I'd like to call that something "The Art of Being Digital". In our highly digitized world, our online outreach and interconnectivity is wildly amplified. Gary Vee currently has 9.9 million followers on Instagram — but without access to the internet — he has no way of interacting with that community and tapping into the true power of those 9.9 million people.
Why Do NFTs Have Value?
The value of an NFT is determined by the collective intentionality of those who are willing to buy and sell them. In other words, the value of an NFT is based on what people are willing to pay for it. This is similar to the way that the value of traditional art is determined by the market, with the value being based on factors such as the artist's fame and the rarity of the work.
The Tom Brady example illustrates this idea. On the surface, it might seem strange that someone would pay $430k for a digital picture of a cartoon ape. However, if we consider the fact that the buyer was Tom Brady and the seller was the well-known digital artist Trevor Jones, it becomes clearer that the value of the NFT was determined by the collective intentionality of those involved in the transaction.
Furthermore, the digital art of NFTs offers more than just a digital file and a high price tag. NFTs provide the ability for digital artists to monetize their work and for collectors to own and trade unique digital items. This opens up new opportunities for artists and collectors alike, and has led to the growth of a vibrant and exciting market for NFTs.
Join The Club
Celebrities such as Tom Brady, Post Malone, Steph Curry, and Jimmy Fallon have been buying Bored Ape NFTs. Bored Ape NFTs were introduced by the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) in April 2021 at a price of 0.08 Ethereum (ETH) each, or about $190 at the time. Since then, the price of Bored Apes has increased significantly, yielding substantial returns for early investors.
In addition to the potential for financial gain, buying a Bored Ape NFT also grants the buyer access to the BAYC community. This includes access to the BAYC Discord, where buyers can connect with other members of the club, including celebrities, and collaborate on NFT-related projects. BAYC also gives members priority access to future NFT drops, allowing them to expand their collections.
Minting and selling NFTs can also be highly lucrative for those who create their own NFT projects. This is another reason why celebrities and others may be interested in the NFT market. Creating and selling NFTs allows artists and other creators to monetize their digital work and gives collectors the opportunity to own unique digital items. The growth of the NFT market has created new opportunities for both artists and collectors, leading to a vibrant and exciting market for NFTs.
Blockchain, Smart Contracts, and Secondary Sales
Blockchain technology is used to record the conversion of traditional currency into cryptocurrency, such as Ethereum (ETH), in the NFT market. This transaction is recorded on the blockchain as public information that is easily accessible to anyone who wants to view it. This ensures transparency and helps to prevent fraud in the NFT market.
Smart contracts are programs stored on the blockchain that allow NFT creators to stipulate the conditions of resale. For example, a creator could draft a smart contract that allows them to earn a 10% commission on any subsequent resales of their NFT. This allows creators to continue to benefit from the success of their work, even after the initial sale.
Smart contracts also facilitate secondary sales in the NFT market. When the value of an NFT increases, the smart contract associated with that NFT can automatically distribute any profits from the sale to the relevant parties, such as the creator or the NFT platform. For example, if the value of Tom Brady's Bored Ape NFT increased from $430k to $530k, the smart contract could automatically distribute the $100k profit to the Bored Ape Yacht Club, if that was stipulated in the contract.
This use of smart contracts helps to ensure that all parties are fairly compensated for their contributions to the NFT market, and it allows for efficient and transparent transactions without the need for intermediaries.
The Future Of Crypto-Art
Grammy-winning artist Tyler, the Creator recently questioned the value of NFTs, stating that most of the examples he has seen are not "beautiful art." While art is subjective and many NFTs are AI-generated, there are still many ways in which NFTs can offer value in the real world.
First, NFTs can be used to represent tangible experiences and achievements. Instead of framing a concert ticket or a season pass, these items could be represented as NFTs, allowing individuals to proudly display their experiences and achievements in the digital world. This could be especially beneficial for VIP experiences and exclusive memberships.
Second, NFTs can provide a level of authenticity and scarcity that cannot be achieved with physical items. This is especially useful for limited edition items and collectibles, which can be authenticated and traded easily on the blockchain.
Third, the use of smart contracts can ensure that all parties are fairly compensated for their contributions to the NFT market. This allows for transparent and efficient transactions without the need for intermediaries.
Overall, while some may dismiss NFTs as "silly little digital artworks," they have the potential to reshape not just the art world, but the world itself.

What is WETH: Wrapped Ethereum? [Answered]
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.

What Causes Crypto To Rise? [Answered]
Do you want to know what causes crypto to rise? This is the place to be.
Cryptocurrency prices are highly volatile and can fluctuate rapidly, which can be both good and bad for investors. To understand what causes crypto to rise in value, it's important to first understand how cryptocurrencies differ from traditional government-controlled currencies. Unlike fiat currencies, which are backed by a central authority and have value because consumers trust them, cryptocurrencies are decentralized and not controlled by any one entity. This means that cryptocurrencies gain value in different ways than traditional currencies. In this article, we will explore some of the factors that can cause the value of cryptocurrencies to increase.
What Causes Crypto to Rise?
Let's find out what causes cryptocurrencies to rise in value.
Supply and Demand
The value of cryptocurrency is determined by supply and demand, just like any other asset. When demand for a particular cryptocurrency is higher than the supply, its value will increase. For example, if there is a scarcity of a certain cryptocurrency, its value will rise due to the unequal balance between supply and demand.
Each cryptocurrency project typically announces its plans for minting and burning tokens, which is the process of creating and destroying tokens to control the supply. Some cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, have a fixed maximum supply, while others, such as Ether, have no limit on the number of tokens that can be created. Some cryptocurrencies also have mechanisms in place to burn tokens in order to prevent the circulating supply from growing too large and causing inflation.
The demand for a cryptocurrency can increase for a variety of reasons, such as increased awareness of the project or increased utility of the token. So, one factor that can cause the value of a cryptocurrency to rise is consumer demand for that particular coin.
Exchange Availability
Popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ether are typically available on multiple exchange platforms, which makes them easily accessible to a large number of investors. However, smaller cryptocurrencies may only be available on a few exchange platforms, which can limit their reach and make them less attractive to investors.
If a cryptocurrency is listed on many exchange platforms, it can increase the number of investors who are able to buy it and drive up demand. As we know, when demand for a cryptocurrency increases, its price will also rise. So, another factor that can cause the value of a cryptocurrency to increase is its availability on exchange platforms.
Competition
There are thousands of different cryptocurrencies and new projects and tokens are being launched all the time. Because the entry barriers to creating a new cryptocurrency are relatively low, the most important aspect of a cryptocurrency's success is building a network of users. Applications built on blockchain technology can help to build networks quickly, especially if they have an advantage over competing applications.
In a situation where a new competitor gains traction, it can take value away from the incumbent cryptocurrency, causing its price to drop as the new competitor's price rises. Overall, competition is an important factor to consider when looking at the value of a cryptocurrency.
Internal Governance
Cryptocurrency networks typically operate according to a fixed set of rules. Some cryptocurrencies, known as governance tokens, allow stakeholders to have a say in the future of the project, including how the token is used or mined. In order for changes to be made to the protocol of a token, there must be agreement among stakeholders.
For example, the Ethereum network upgraded from a proof-of-work to a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism, making much of the expensive mining equipment obsolete. This will likely have an impact on the value of Ether.
In theory, governance tokens should rise in value as stakeholders see fit. However, the slow process of improving protocols and updating software can limit the appreciation of cryptocurrency values.

What is KYC in Regard to Crypto? [Answered]
KYC, or "know your customer," is a term used to describe the identity and background checks that financial institutions are required to conduct on their customers. These checks are important for risk mitigation and are part of the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations that these institutions must follow. In the cryptocurrency space, KYC regulations are becoming increasingly important as more and more people use digital assets for financial transactions. By conducting KYC checks, cryptocurrency exchanges and other financial institutions can help prevent money laundering and other illegal activities.
History of Know Your Customer
The United States government has implemented a number of measures to help financial service institutions detect and prevent financial crimes. These measures were established by the USA Patriot Act of 2001 and were finalized in 2002, making KYC (know your customer) checks mandatory for all US financial institutions. In 2016, the Department of Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) expanded these regulations to include the FinTech sector, which resulted in virtual currency exchange platforms being declared official money services businesses under the Bank Secrecy Act. This means that these platforms are subject to all AML (anti-money laundering) and KYC requirements.
KYC in Practice
While it is up to regulated entities (banks, crypto exchanges, and other financial institutions) to implement the specifics of KYC and AML regulations, the KYC practices and programs generally include three essential components:
- Customer Identification Program (CIP): Through CIP, firms verify the customer's identity through independent data. This includes the client's name, address, and date of birth. Some firms even request a form of identification (passport or ID), social security number, or a video and selfie from their customers to verify their identity.
- Customer Due Diligence (CDD): CDD is the process of screening the background of a prospective client. Thorough background checks are essential to understand the risks that a new customer could bring to the firm. This process can expose fraudulent activity that potential new clients may have taken part in. If necessary, firms will perform enhanced due diligence (EDD) to get a deeper look into the new customer's past in order to mitigate risk further.
- Ongoing Monitoring and Risk Management: Even after Customer Identification Programs and Due Diligence take place, firms will continue to monitor and manage the potential risks of new customers. They will continue to oversee their customer's transactions and flag anything unusual. This ensures ongoing risk mitigation which is essential for the trust between financial firms and their clients.
Why is KYC/AML Important?
KYC regulations aim to discern that customers are who they say they are. This helps to prevent money laundering, terrorist financing, and fraud within the financial market.
Know Your Customer and other Anti-Money Laundering regulations benefit both financial institutions and their clients. These rules improve security and mitigate risk by keeping bad actors off the books. This acts as an assurance for customers and leads to a more trustworthy company-client relationship.
KYC and Cryptocurrency
The cryptocurrency industry is still relatively new, and its decentralized nature can make it difficult to implement KYC (know your customer) measures. Crypto regulations are also still evolving as regulators seek to prevent financial crimes using cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. As mentioned, crypto exchanges are considered official money services businesses and are therefore subject to KYC rules. These rules require exchanges to conduct identity and background checks on their customers, which may include requiring a photo ID. Many exchanges only allow transactions to occur once KYC is completed, especially for large sums of money.
However, some exchanges may try to avoid these rules by establishing their companies in countries with less stringent regulations. Exchanges that do not follow KYC and AML laws may not be available to use in countries that have these laws. This is why implementing KYC practices can actually increase an exchange's global reach by making it available in countries that have these laws, such as the US.
As the FinTech industry continues to grow and develop, it is important to regulate and mitigate risks to prevent illegal or suspicious behavior. AML laws are essential for ensuring fairness and equity in the emerging financial technology industry. Over time, regulations will continue to evolve to keep pace with the rapidly changing market.

When Does the Crypto Market Close? [Answered]
There are a few reasons why people might want to know the closing time of the market. First, knowing the closing time can help traders plan their buying and selling activities around the times when the market is most active. This can help them take advantage of price movements and increase their chances of making profitable trades. Second, knowing the closing time can also help investors manage their risk by allowing them to set limits on their trading activities. For example, an investor may want to avoid holding positions overnight in case of significant price movements while the market is closed.
If you want to trade cryptocurrencies, you may be wondering when the crypto market closes. We're here to provide the answer to that question and more.
When Does the Crypto Market Close?
The cryptocurrency market, unlike the stock exchange, does not close. Crypto markets are open 24/7, so you can buy, sell, and swap cryptocurrencies anytime you want. The 24/7 nature of the cryptocurrency market is a significant advantage for traders and investors. Because the market never closes, traders can respond to news and events as they happen, rather than having to wait for the market to open. This allows for more flexibility and can potentially lead to better trading decisions.
Additionally, the continuous trading activity in the crypto market can lead to increased liquidity and tighter spreads, which can make it easier for traders to buy and sell cryptocurrencies at the prices they want. This can be especially beneficial for investors who want to take advantage of short-term price movements or who need to execute large trades quickly.
Furthermore, the fact that the crypto market is always open can be useful for traders in different time zones. Because the market never closes, traders in any part of the world can access it and make trades at any time. This is particularly useful for traders who may not be able to trade during normal market hours due to work or other commitments.
What Time of Day is Crypto-Popular?
Cryptocurrencies are most commonly traded between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm in local time. As a rule of thumb, the market tends to see most of its activity take place on weekdays during the times in which the US stock exchange is open.
Strategies for Day Trading Crypto
The day trading method involves trading one or more shares during a given day to earn profits. It is buying and selling an asset (in this case, a cryptocurrency) within the same day or multiple times over the day. This allows the trader to take advantage of small price moves, which can be very lucrative. To thrive in crypto day trading, keeping your eye on the charts, analytics, and community announcements is very important. Token Metrics provides many of these valuable insights, thanks to our AI and Machine Learning models.
The strategy of day trading contrasts the popular buy and hold, aka HODL strategy, but it does have certain benefits for traders. It is essential to have a well-planned strategy for day trading to succeed in maximizing profits.
Range trading is a common strategy for day trading cryptocurrencies. This involves monitoring the market for drastic changes in price and volume, and buying and selling accordingly. For example, if you notice that the volume of a particular cryptocurrency has increased significantly, you may want to buy it when it reaches an oversold level and sell it when it reaches an overbought level. By doing this, you can take advantage of short-term price movements and potentially profit from them. It's important to remember, however, that the small market caps of many cryptocurrencies make them susceptible to manipulation by large buyers, so it's essential to carefully monitor the market and make informed trading decisions.
Another popular strategy is employing bots to automate your crypto investments. Certain platforms allow traders to customize trading bots to buy low and sell high. Platforms like these use bots to read the markets and let traders break from constantly tracking the blockchain themselves. Similarly, scalping allows traders to benefit from small price movements. Many scalpers use bots to accumulate smaller gains by buying and selling a crypto asset within seconds. Scalping tends to necessitate a larger bankroll to benefit to a greater extent.
The final way in which crypto traders can take advantage of day trading is through arbitrage. Arbitrage involves buying a cryptocurrency on one exchange market and selling it on another where a price discrepancy exists. The fact that the crypto market is unregulated allows for price discrepancies to take place between trading exchange markets. This means a specific cryptocurrency may sell for more on one market than another. This is known as trading the spread. A spread is the difference in a coin's buy and sell price on different platforms.
Traders must consider trading fees when using any day trading tactic, as trading fees may wipe out gains from multiple transactions.
Key Takeaways
The cryptocurrency market is non-stop. Crypto traders are not limited to trading hours, like stock or bond traders. There are a multitude of ways in which crypto traders can take advantage of the ever-changing market by implementing day-trading strategies. It is important to understand the volatility and risks that come with trading cryptocurrencies. It is best to take a measured approach when trading and investing in crypto, and do your own research to understand what tactics would provide significant profits and help achieve your investing goals.

Introducing Token Metrics Research
We are proud to announce Token Metrics Research, a dedicated platform to host all our research for our customers and crypto enthusiasts out there.
Token Metrics is an AI-driven crypto research platform. We bring to you the smartness of machine learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) by blending the expertise of our investment team, data scientists, and developers to deliver comprehensive institutional-grade research. To help navigate this new asset class we have a team of analysts dedicatedly to researching the crypto space and producing research reports.
Token Metrics Research
For the past years, we have delivered premium research for our customers through our email newsletters, Token Metrics TV and our Youtube channel. We received feedback to have an archive and dedicated platform for all research media, so we created – Token Metrics Research.
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*Token Metrics TV will be accessible through research.tokenmetrics.com*
How To Access Token Metrics Research?
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Token Metrics Media LLC is a regular publication of information, analysis, and commentary focused especially on blockchain technology and business, cryptocurrency, blockchain-based tokens, market trends, and trading strategies.
Token Metrics Media LLC does not provide individually tailored investment advice and does not take a subscriber’s or anyone’s personal circumstances into consideration when discussing investments; nor is Token Metrics Advisers LLC registered as an investment adviser or broker-dealer in any jurisdiction.
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All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of money you invest, and past performance does not guarantee future performance. Ratings and price predictions are provided for informational and illustrative purposes, and may not reflect actual future performance.