A moonshot in crypto is a small, high-risk token that some people hope will rise many times in value. The name comes from the idea of a rocket going “to the moon.” A few moonshots do rise a lot. Most fall, and many go to zero.
So what is a moonshot really? It is a bet with a big upside and a big chance of loss. This guide explains how moonshots work, how to check one, and how to keep your risk small.
Older guides on this blog told you to open the Ratings page and click a Moonshots tab. That page and that tab are gone. Token Metrics no longer offers AI ratings, Trader or Investor grades, Moonshots, price predictions, indices, or trading bots. There is no public API. The app you can use today is built around signals, vaults, and research (app launch post).
What is a moonshot in crypto?
People use the word moonshot for any token they think could grow 10 times, 50 times, or more. These are usually new or small tokens. Their total market value is low, so it takes less new money to push the price up.
The same math works the other way. It takes very little selling to push the price down. That is why a moonshot can lose most of its value in a day.
Why people chase moonshots
What is a moonshot’s pull? People chase moonshots because of the stories. Everyone has heard of a coin that went up a lot. What you do not hear about are the thousands that went to zero. That is called survivor bias. You only see the winners.
A smart way to think about it: what is a moonshot worth to you if it goes to zero? If the answer is “too much,” the bet is too big.
What is a moonshot vs. a large, older coin?
| Question | Moonshot token | Large, older coin |
|---|---|---|
| How big is it? | Small market value | Large market value |
| How much does it trade? | Often very little | A lot, every day |
| How fast can it move? | Very fast, both ways | Slower |
| Can it go to zero? | Yes, often | Less likely, but still possible |
| How much info is out there? | Very little | A lot |
Crypto is crowded, so the Token Metrics app starts you with a shortlist of standouts. Trending token signals show new tokens the traders we track are buying. Value token signals show tokens under fundamental and on-chain research, not a rating or a recommendation.
How to check a moonshot in 6 steps
What is a moonshot worth checking? Use these six steps before you put in any money. If a token fails one step, move on.
- See who is buying. Look at wallets and trades, not just social posts. When tracked traders buy a token, that shows what they did. It is not a promise about what comes next.
- Check daily trading. If almost no one trades it, you may not be able to sell when you want.
- Check who holds it. If a few wallets hold most of the supply, they can crash the price.
- Check the team and code. Can the team mint more tokens or block sales? Was the code reviewed?
- Check the unlock dates. Big unlocks add supply and can push the price down.
- Check for real use. Is anyone using the product or paying fees?
What is a moonshot’s biggest risk?
The biggest risk is losing all of it. Here is how that usually happens.
- Rug pulls. The team pulls the money out of the trading pool and leaves.
- Pump and dumps. A group hypes a token, sells to late buyers, and walks away.
- Thin trading. You can get stuck with a token you cannot sell.
- Fake hype. Bots and paid posts can make a token look popular.
The SEC warns that crypto can be very risky and that fraud is common (Investor.gov). The FTC says only scammers promise sure profits or big returns (FTC).
How to keep your risk small
What is a moonshot bet size that makes sense? Plan for the chance of a total loss. Only use money you can afford to lose. Keep each moonshot to a small part of what you own. Decide when you will sell before you buy, both if it rises and if it falls.
Where to start your research
The Token Metrics app is live in early alpha. Crypto is crowded, so it starts you with a shortlist of standouts. On Signal plans and up (Signal, Alpha, and Roundtable), you get:
- Trending token signals: new tokens the traders we track are buying.
- Value token signals: tokens under fundamental and on-chain research. Being on the Value list isn’t a rating and isn’t a recommendation.
- Prediction market signals: the side tracked traders took and the price. Once a market settles, it shows Won or Lost.
- Tokenized stock and Pre-IPO signals, plus vault research and a research library.
New signals can reach you as browser alerts if you turn them on. They also post in the paid Telegram and Discord signal channels. A signal is research to start from, not a recommendation. A trader’s past record is evidence of past performance, not proof of future skill.
For a step-by-step guide on small tokens, read how to find hidden crypto gems or how to find the next 100x crypto.
Open the Market tab for the day’s read. Then go to Signals to see which side tracked traders took and how each one settled. The app is live in early alpha at app.tokenmetrics.com, with signals, vaults, and research in one place. Signals need the Signal plan or higher.
Moonshot FAQ
What is a moonshot in simple words?
A small crypto token that people hope will rise many times in value. It is very risky and often fails.
What is a moonshot coin’s chance of success?
No one can tell you that. Most small tokens lose value. Treat each one as a bet you could lose.
What is a moonshot list?
A list of small tokens someone thinks could grow a lot. Treat any moonshot list as a place to start your checks, not a list to buy.
Does Token Metrics still have Moonshots?
No. The Moonshots tab and the Ratings page are retired. Token Metrics does not offer price predictions or grades. The app now has Trending and Value token signals, prediction market signals, tokenized stock and Pre-IPO signals, vaults, and research.
What is a moonshot vs. a 100x coin?
They mean about the same thing. A 100x coin is one people hope grows 100 times. Both words describe hope, not a fact about the token.
Is a moonshot the same as a meme coin?
Not always. Many meme coins are moonshots, but a moonshot can be any small token. What makes it a moonshot is the size and the risk, not the theme.
This guide is for education only. It is not financial advice.
