A CryptoQuant analyst has identified three categories of altcoins with real long-term value.
The altcoin market is entering a new phase of maturity. Loud narratives or hype no longer serve as the foundation for long-term holding of digital assets. Real business, stable revenue, and integration into global financial trends are coming to the forefront. This conclusion was reached by the founder of the analytical platform CryptoQuant, who published a detailed analysis of the current situation in the segment.
The expert identified three key groups of altcoins that, in his opinion, retain investment appeal in the long term.
First category: Global internet companies with a tokenized market
This includes projects that already have a real business model and strong execution metrics. We are talking about tokens issued by major platforms such as BNB (Binance) and GRAM (TON/Telegram ecosystem). Issuing a proprietary token and listing it on exchanges often proves to be a more pragmatic step than a traditional stock market debut. These assets are backed by the long-term commitments of their creators and provide investors with access to liquidity and returns from ecosystem growth.
Second category: DeFi services with real revenue
This group includes decentralized platforms that generate stable income and consider the interests of token holders. Examples include Hyperliquid and high-quality decentralized exchanges (DEXs). Sustainable growth for such altcoins is possible if the team is trustworthy and governance is focused on long-term value for the community.
Third category: Infrastructure for global trends
These are projects embedded in macroeconomic trends: tokenization of real-world assets (RWA), stablecoins, and infrastructure for artificial intelligence (AI). The analyst draws a parallel with the dot-com era: strong technology companies form precisely after the bubble bursts. AI infrastructure projects, in his view, will become the foundation for reliable crypto companies in the current cycle.
Important context: The market capitalization of the altcoin sector has barely grown compared to the 2021 peak. Previous growth periods relied on internal trends (e.g., memecoins), causing capital to circulate within the industry. In contrast, Bitcoin successfully attracted external institutional money. The market has finally recognized the real utility of blockchain—stablecoins, tokenized stocks, and projects with real assets.
The analyst emphasizes: 99.9% of altcoins should be rejected, but "most are garbage" does not equal "everything is garbage." He calls for a selective, rather than biased, approach. Data from CryptoQuant confirms this logic: a record capital outflow from altcoins has been recorded—net sales on spot exchanges have continued for 15 months. The cumulative difference between purchase and sales volumes (excluding BTC and ETH) has hit a historic low since 2020.
My expert opinion: The market is going through a painful but necessary phase of cleansing. Investors who now focus on projects with real economics and ties to global trends (RWA, AI, stablecoins) will gain an advantage in the next cycle. Altcoins without fundamental value will continue to lose capital.