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CryptoRank says 71.9% of former top 100 crypto tokens are effectively dead

CryptoRank says 71.9% of former top 100 crypto tokens are effectively dead

CryptoRank found most tokens that reached the top 100 later lost relevance, with median lifespan at 2 years and 4 months and survival rates dropping sharply over time.

ETH

Fact Check
CryptoRank's own news page (cryptorank.io) confirms it analyzed 1,539 tokens and found 71.9% operationally dead, with median lifespan of 2 years 4 months and sharply declining survival rates (62% dead within 5 years, 84.7% within 10 years, 91.5% within 12 years). This is corroborated by independent reporting from BeInCrypto and KuCoin citing the identical figures. All key elements of the claim — the 71.9% figure, effective death/operational-death definition, median lifespan, and declining survival — match the primary source exactly.
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Summary

CryptoRank said 71.9% of the 1,539 cryptocurrencies that once entered the market capitalization top 100 are now effectively defunct. The analysis defined that state as daily trading volume below $10,000 for more than 90 consecutive days after delisting from major exchanges. It found 62% of top-100 tokens die within five years, with the estimated mortality rate rising to 84.7% after a decade and 91.5% after 12 years, while the median lifespan was just two years and four months. In a separate review of the top 100 from July 2021, only 41 projects retained their place, 46 fell out and 13 ceased operations entirely, with the dropouts losing a median 93% of their market value. Roughly 65% of those fallen projects were Layer-1 and Layer-2 chains once promoted as Ethereum challengers, while stablecoins doubled their representation in the top 100 from eight to 16. The findings, alongside CoinGecko research showing 53.2% of all cryptocurrencies tracked on GeckoTerminal have stopped trading and that 11.6 million tokens failed in 2025 alone, suggest a top-100 ranking is more a snapshot of visibility than proof of durability.

Terms & Concepts
  • Layer-1 and Layer-2 chains: Blockchain networks and scaling systems built to process transactions either on a base chain or on top of it.
  • stablecoins: Tokens designed to maintain a relatively stable value, typically by being linked to another asset such as a fiat currency.
  • delisting: The removal of a token from trading on an exchange.