A recent study by CryptoRank analyzed 1,539 tokens that once entered the Top 100, finding that 71.9% are no longer traded. The median lifespan of a token is 2 years and 4 months, with 62% disappearing in less than 5 years and 84.7% in less than 10 years.
The study also looked at the Top 100 tokens from July 2021, finding that 41 are still in the Top 100, 46 have fallen out, and 13 have disappeared. Notable examples of fallen tokens include Theta Network, EOS, and Tezos, which have seen significant declines in market capitalization.
Token Mortality
CryptoRank considers a token dead when it is delisted from major exchanges and its daily trading volume remains below $10,000 for more than 90 days. CoinGecko reported that 11.6 million tokens became inactive in 2025 alone, with 53.2% of tokens listed since 2021 now inactive.
Survival Factors
The study found that tokens with strong liquidity, presence on major exchanges, and media coverage are more likely to survive. However, even these factors do not guarantee a long lifespan. The failure of a project does not immediately cause its token to disappear, but rather leads to a gradual decline in trading activity and eventual delisting.
Current Market
The current market is dominated by a new generation of Layer 1 blockchains, including Sui, Aptos, and TON. Stablecoins, exchange tokens, and DeFi protocols such as Uniswap, Aave, and Maker continue to be widely used and have a strong presence in the Top 100.
Investment Strategies
In response to the high mortality rate of tokens, many investors are choosing to hold a portion of their portfolio in stablecoins. The DeFi market offers opportunities for stablecoins to generate returns between investments, providing a way for investors to put their liquidities to work.
