Which New Crypto Projects Are Gaining Momentum This Year?

Which new crypto projects are gaining momentum this year?

Quick overview: why this matters to you

You want to know which new crypto projects are gaining traction because momentum often signals real adoption, active development, and increasing utility. Tracking new momentum helps you decide where to engage, test, or allocate capital while managing the higher risk that comes with newer protocols.

How to measure momentum (and what each metric tells you)

You’ll want to look at multiple on-chain and off-chain indicators rather than a single headline metric. Below are the most useful signals and what they typically indicate about a project’s health and adoption.

• Total Value Locked (TVL): measures assets committed to the protocol and shows economic activity.
• Active addresses and daily transactions: reveal user activity and retention.
• Developer activity (GitHub commits, open-source contributions): signals ongoing improvement and bug fixes.
• Token trading volume and liquidity: shows market interest and ease of entering/exiting positions.
• Social engagement and community growth: indicates organic interest and grassroots adoption.
• Partnerships, integrations, and exchange listings: can accelerate adoption and liquidity.
• Security audits and bug-bounty participation: reflect a focus on safety and risk reduction.

Quick reference table of momentum metrics

Key trends shaping this year’s new projects

You should understand macro trends because they explain why certain projects gain momentum. These trends influence funding, user behaviors, and developer choices.

• Modular architecture and data availability-focused chains are gaining attention as teams separate consensus, execution, and data layers to scale more flexibly.
• Zero-knowledge proofs and zk-rollups continue to attract projects focused on privacy, low-cost transactions, and scalability.
• Re-staking and shared security models are appearing as a way to bootstrap security for emerging chains.
• Cross-chain messaging and interoperability protocols are seeing renewed interest because users expect seamless asset and message transfers across ecosystems.
• Web3 gaming, real-world asset tokenization, and on-chain identity are driving niche projects that bring new user cohorts to crypto.

Notable projects gaining momentum by category

Below are projects that have shown significant interest, development activity, or adoption signals recently. For each, you’ll get a short description, why they’re gaining momentum, what to watch next, and key risks to consider.

Note: project states can change quickly. Use this as a starting point and verify on-chain metrics and primary sources before acting.

Layer 1 and modular blockchains

You’ll see a split between new standalone Layer 1s and modular designs that separate consensus and execution.

• Sui (Move-based L1): Sui emphasizes fast finality and parallel transaction processing using the Move language. It has attracted gaming and NFT projects because of low latency and developer tooling. Watch on-chain activity, new dApp launches, and tooling adoption. Risk: competing L1s and execution bugs or complex upgrade paths.

• Aptos (Move-based L1): Aptos focuses on safety and performance with Move and strong developer grants. It gained attention for institutional funding and developer ecosystem programs. Watch developer onboarding metrics and real dApp usage beyond testnets. Risk: centralization concerns and market competition.

• Celestia (modular data availability): Celestia’s modular approach allows rollups and execution layers to plug into its data availability layer, potentially reducing infrastructure burdens. Momentum comes from teams building rollups that want dedicated data availability. Watch integrations, partnerships, and mainnet adoption by rollups. Risk: adoption pace and technical complexity.

Layer 2 solutions and zk-rollups

You can expect growth in rollups that reduce Ethereum congestion while keeping security.

• zkSync (zkEVM and zkPorter): zkSync has been advancing with zkEVM compatibility and modular scaling ideas. Momentum comes from low fees and growing tooling. Watch mainnet transaction volume, bridge flows, and developer migration. Risk: competition from other zk-rollups and tech maturity.

• StarkNet (STARK-based rollup): You’ll find strong interest from developers seeking high throughput and STARK proof benefits. Watch ecosystem growth and tooling for non-EVM devs. Risk: bridging complexity and EVM compatibility gaps.

• Scroll (zkEVM): Scroll focuses on a developer-friendly zkEVM approach and has been gaining traction with bridges and tooling. Watch developer retention, TVL, and partnerships. Risk: zk-prover costs and cross-rollup liquidity.

Cross-chain and interoperability

You should follow messaging layers and generalized cross-chain protocols because they enable multi-chain dApps.

• LayerZero (omnichain messaging): LayerZero provides generalized cross-chain messaging with application-level verification. Its momentum comes from broad adoption by cross-chain dApps and bridges. Watch notable protocol adoptions and audits. Risk: cross-chain security is inherently complex and targeted by attackers.

• Wormhole / other messaging systems: Protocols aiming for high-throughput and low-latency messaging are attracting infrastructure projects. Watch integration lists and reliability metrics. Risk: past bridge exploits highlight attack surfaces.

Re-staking, security abstraction, and shared security

You’ll want to pay attention to innovations in how security is provided to smaller chains.

• EigenLayer (re-staking): EigenLayer enables stakers to re-stake ETH to secure additional services or chains, creating economic security marketplaces. Momentum stems from its potential to bootstrap security for new L2s and services. Watch validator participation and the rollout of services. Risk: new economic attack vectors and complexity for stakers.

DeFi and AMMs (new models)

You should look for protocols offering better UX, capital efficiency, or novel incentive models.

• Sei (orderbook DEX chain): Sei is built around high-throughput trading primitives and an optimized orderbook for decentralized exchange activity. Its momentum is linked to niche performance benefits for trading. Watch active markets and liquidity depth. Risk: niche demand and concentrated liquidity.

• New concentrated liquidity AMMs: Several new AMMs tweak concentrated liquidity or introduce different fee models to attract market makers. Watch TVL, slippage metrics, and fees. Risk: impermanent loss models and fragility in volatile markets.

Infrastructure, data, and oracles

You’ll see infrastructure projects that fill gaps for real-world data and faster validation.

• The Graph alternatives and indexing services: Faster or cheaper indexing solutions for subgraphs and data queries attract developers who need responsive dApps. Watch query volumes and developer toolkits. Risk: centralization and performance bottlenecks.

• Oracle competition (beyond Chainlink): New oracle solutions focusing on throughput, cheaper data, or specialized feeds are gaining traction for niche use cases like gaming, sports, and high-frequency DeFi. Watch live feed reliability and breach history. Risk: data manipulation and feed downtime.

Privacy and zero-knowledge privacy layers

You’ll find projects putting privacy into payments, messaging, or identity.

• Privacy rollups and zk-native privacy tools: Protocols that add privacy-preserving layers using zk-proofs attract users with privacy needs. Watch adoption in gaming, messaging, and payments. Risk: regulatory scrutiny and integration complexity.

Gaming, metaverse, and on-chain assets

You’ll notice projects combining Web3 ownership with traditional gaming mechanics.

• Play-to-own ecosystems and NFT utilities: New chains and L2s optimized for gaming (fast, cheap microtransactions) are attracting studios that want true item ownership. Watch studio sign-ups and in-game economics. Risk: speculative NFT markets and short-lived game lifecycles.

AI + blockchain

You’ll see early-stage projects that combine on-chain data with off-chain AI compute or tokenized incentives for model training.

• Decentralized data marketplaces and compute markets: Momentum comes from projects enabling on-chain payments to off-chain compute or shared model training incentives. Watch developer adoption and real-world pilot projects. Risk: regulatory and privacy issues, and heavy reliance on off-chain infrastructure.

Comparison table of selected projects to watch

How to track momentum in real time

You’ll want a mix of dashboards, code repositories, and community signals.

• On-chain dashboards: DeFiLlama for TVL, Dune for custom analytics, and Nansen for wallet-level activity.
• Market aggregators: CoinGecko and CoinMarketCap for price/volume and listing updates.
• Developer tools: GitHub, GitLab, and repo activity trackers to watch commits and releases.
• Social and community: Twitter/X (project accounts), Discord, Telegram, and Reddit for community pulse.
• Security & audit reports: Check audit firms’ reports and bug-bounty activity on Immunefi or similar.
• Specialized analytics: Messari, Token Terminal, and Glassnode for deeper economic and market metrics.

Due diligence checklist you can use before committing funds or using a protocol

You should have a checklist to reduce the chance of ignoring an obvious risk.

• Team and track record: Are core contributors identifiable? Do they have proven experience?
• Code and audits: Is the code open? Are audit reports public and recent?
• Tokenomics and distribution: Who holds the tokens? Is distribution concentrated or fair?
• Security history: Any previous exploits, and how did the team respond?
• Governance model: Is governance on-chain? Who controls upgrades and admin keys?
• Liquidity and market access: Can you enter and exit without large slippage?
• Economic incentives: Are incentives sustainable or purely short-term yield?
• Legal and regulatory posture: Has the team addressed potential compliance issues?
• Roadmap realism: Are timelines reasonable? Are milestones being met?
• Community quality: Are users engaged constructively or mostly hype-seeking?

Simple due diligence scoring grid (example)

Common red flags you should watch for

Knowing red flags helps you avoid obvious traps and protect your capital.

• Anonymous core developers combined with large token holdings.
• Unclear or changing token utility; tokens used mainly as speculative faucets.
• Extremely high, unsustainable APRs that require infinite new inflows.
• Admin keys with unilateral upgrade power and no timelocks.
• Lack of public audits or poor-quality audits with unaddressed findings.
• Repeated promises with missed milestones and opaque communication.
• Partnerships that can’t be confirmed or are overstated.

How to participate safely (practical approaches)

You’ll likely want to try a few low-risk engagement methods before committing significant capital.

• Use testnets and faucet tokens to learn the UX and bridge mechanics first.
• Allocate small exploratory capital (a research allocation) separate from core holdings.
• Prefer non-custodial use when possible so you control private keys.
• Use hardware wallets and multi-sig for larger allocations.
• Consider dollar-cost averaging into tokens rather than lump sums.
• Track positions with alerts for price, TVL shifts, and governance proposals.
• Participate in governance with caution; don’t vote without reading proposals.

Strategies if you’re more interested in using products than speculating

You may prefer utility over token speculation; here’s how to approach that.

• Use dApps that provide clear utility (stable payments, decentralized exchanges, identity).
• Assess UX, fees, developer support, and cross-chain compatibility.
• Consider platforms with long-term partner commitments (e.g., enterprise pilots).
• When using protocols, prioritize security and insurance options for funds.

How to evaluate token launches and airdrops (if you want airdrop upside)

You might target projects that are likely to airdrop tokens to early users, but you should be discerning.

• Look for retroactive reward frameworks and transparent airdrop criteria.
• Be wary of “airdrop farming” schemes that create low-quality activity.
• Prioritize genuine usage that demonstrates real value creation over contrived transactions.
• Keep track of snapshot rules and maintain records of participation to support potential claims.

Regulatory and security considerations you must keep in mind

Regulatory developments and security incidents can change project trajectories quickly.

• Regulatory clarity varies regionally: if you’re in a jurisdiction with strict securities laws, token ownership or staking can carry unexpected legal obligations.
• Bridges and cross-chain messaging are common exploit targets; restrict exposures if possible.
• Centralization in L1 or L2 validator sets may invite regulatory or coordination pressures.
• For custodial or institutional services, check licensing and insurance coverage.

Risk management and exit planning you should implement

You’ll want clear rules so emotions don’t drive your decisions when markets move.

• Set position size limits relative to your total portfolio (e.g., small single-digit percent allocations per early-stage project).
• Predefine stop-loss or reallocation triggers like major exploit, rugpull indicators, or governance takeover.
• Keep some liquid stablecoins to capitalize on opportunities or to exit quickly.
• Diversify across categories (infrastructure, L2s, DeFi, gaming) rather than concentrating on a single thesis.
• Reassess holdings after major upgrades, audits, or token unlock events.

Example scenario: assessing a rising Layer 2 project

You’re evaluating a new L2 that’s seen rapid user growth. Follow these steps:

1. Check TVL growth and active wallets on Dune and DeFiLlama.
2. Review GitHub or repo activity for dev cadence and recent releases.
3. Confirm audit reports and any open security issues.
4. Evaluate token distribution and any impending unlock schedules.
5. Look for real dApp integrations and partnerships, not just incentive-driven liquidity.
6. Check bridging UX and fee economics compared to other L2s.
7. Consider whether momentum is organic (real users) or marketing-driven (yield farms).

If the project clears these checks, you can allocate a small exploratory position and monitor key metrics weekly.

Questions to ask the team or community before deeper involvement

You’ll get better context if you ask targeted questions directly.

• What’s the current and target use-case for the token versus protocol fees?
• How are upgrades governed and what timelocks are in place for admin actions?
• Can the team share audit remediation steps or details of security drills?
• What are the major technical risks for the next 6–12 months?
• How do you expect liquidity to be maintained after incentive programs end?
• Are partnerships legally binding pilots or informal announcements?

Good teams will answer transparently; evasive answers are a warning sign.

Final checklist before you act

You should run through this short checklist just before you commit funds or significant time.

• Have you confirmed the codebase and audit status?
• Do you understand tokenomics and lockups?
• Is liquidity sufficient to enter and exit?
• Are you comfortable with the project’s regulatory posture?
• Have you set position sizing and exit rules?
• Are you prepared to lose your research allocation?

If you answer “no” to any of these, either reduce exposure or postpone involvement.

Final thoughts

You’re operating in a fast-moving space where new projects can grow quickly but also fail fast. Momentum is a helpful signal, but it should be combined with careful due diligence, risk management, and an understanding of the broader trends driving adoption. Use on-chain metrics, developer activity, audits, and community quality as your primary evaluation toolkit, and treat any single metric—especially token price—only as one piece of the puzzle.

If you want, I can pull recent on-chain metrics for a shortlist of projects, create a personal due diligence template you can reuse, or help you evaluate a specific project step-by-step. Which option would you prefer?