Crypto Dinosaurs Outperform Hype-Driven Assets in 2025

The Resilience of Established Cryptocurrencies

Recent trends indicate that older cryptocurrencies, often referred to as “dinos,” such as Litecoin (LTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), and XRP, are showing stronger performance compared to more hyped assets in the crypto market this year.

A Shift in Market Sentiment

Despite the initial excitement surrounding AI tokens and advanced scaling technologies projected for 2025, data from Delphi Digital reveals that these established cryptocurrencies have fared better than many newer, trendier assets since the beginning of the year.

Performance Metrics of Crypto Dinosaurs

On average, this group of older cryptocurrencies has experienced a decline of just over 16% from January 2025 to June 24. Notably, some assets within this category have even recorded gains, with BCH rising by more than 4% and XRP increasing nearly 6% year-to-date.

Market Dynamics and Influences

The crypto market saw a surge of optimism in early 2025, largely driven by indications from the Trump administration signaling a more favorable stance towards cryptocurrencies. This positive sentiment propelled Bitcoin to surpass the $105,000 threshold for the first time, boosting the overall market.

Recent Market Volatility

However, this bullish trend has reversed, as uncertainties surrounding tariffs, U.S. foreign policy, and other factors have introduced volatility and dampened market enthusiasm.

Declines in Hype-Driven Sectors

Sectors that were previously the focus of excitement, such as AI tokens, gaming infrastructure, and modular blockchains, have experienced significant downturns. The modular blockchain category, which includes projects like StarkNet and Optimism, has seen average declines exceeding 70% this year.

Struggles in Gaming and AI Projects

Gaming infrastructure tokens, including BEAM and RON, have faced similar challenges, with steep declines. Even projects in the AI and DePIN categories, once heralded as the future of crypto, have dropped over 57%, according to the latest data.

Broader Market Challenges

Other areas have not been spared either. The Ethereum DeFi sector, which encompasses tokens like Aave (AAVE), Chainlink (LINK), and Uniswap (UNI), has seen a decline of over 17%. Meanwhile, Solana’s DeFi ecosystem has suffered a drop of more than 38%.

Memecoins Show Unexpected Resilience

Interestingly, memecoins, typically known for their volatility, have outperformed several more established projects, averaging a decline of 38%. While this is still a significant drop, it is notably less severe than the declines seen in the modular blockchain sector.

Benchmark Cryptocurrencies Hold Steady

In contrast, a select group of major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL), has shown relatively better performance, with an average decline of 14.25% since 2024. This performance, while still negative, is an improvement compared to many other sectors within the crypto landscape.

This article highlights the ongoing shifts in the cryptocurrency market, emphasizing the surprising strength of established assets amidst a backdrop of volatility and uncertainty.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research before making any investment decisions.