Key Takeaways
Market capitalization is a way to measure the total value of a cryptocurrency.
It is calculated by multiplying the current price of a token by its circulating supply.
Market cap is often used to rank cryptocurrencies and assess their relative size and popularity.
What Is Crypto Market Capitalization?
Crypto market capitalization is a simple way to measure the total value of a cryptocurrency. It’s calculated by multiplying the current price of a single token by the number of tokens currently in circulation:
Market Cap = Current Price × Circulating Supply
For example, if a cryptocurrency is priced at $10 and there are 10 million of them in circulation, its market cap would be $100 million. You will often see tokens ranked by market cap on data platforms like CoinMarketCap or CoinGecko.
These platforms typically calculate prices using a volume-weighted average from multiple cryptocurrency exchanges, which helps smooth out price differences across trading platforms.
In practice, market cap can help you:
Compare different cryptocurrencies, regardless of their individual price.
Track how projects grow or decline over time.
See which tokens are leading the market in terms of value and adoption.
Why Market Cap Matters
Market capitalization is one of the most commonly used indicators to gauge a cryptocurrency’s overall size, importance, and standing in the market. While token price often draws the most attention, it does not provide the full picture.
Consider the following example:
Cryptocurrency A: 400,000 tokens × $1 = $400,000 market cap
Cryptocurrency B: 100,000 tokens × $2 = $200,000 market cap
Although Cryptocurrency B has a higher price per token, Cryptocurrency A has a larger market capitalization and reflects a higher total network value.
Market capitalization is commonly used in the following ways:
1. Comparing projects by size
Market capitalization allows investors to compare the relative size of different cryptocurrencies. For example, if one project has a $5 billion market cap and another has $500 million, the first is generally considered more established and popular. This doesn’t guarantee better performance, but it does suggest a larger or more mature user and investor base.
2. Guiding portfolio allocation
Large market cap cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and ether are often considered the “blue chips” of the crypto space. They are seen as more stable due to higher market cap and liquidity. Their long track record and widespread adoption also make them a popular choice for investors seeking crypto exposure.
On the other hand, smaller market cap cryptocurrencies often come with greater risk. These assets typically have lower liquidity and are traded less frequently than the big ones. In some cases, even a modest wave of selling can cause sharp price drops. As such, investors often weigh market cap when deciding how to balance risk and reward in their portfolios.
3. Building crypto indexes
Just like in traditional finance, the crypto space features market indexes that track the performance of a selected group of digital assets. Platforms such as CoinMarketCap offer curated indices like the CoinMarketCap 100 Index, while firms like Bitwise provide products such as the Bitwise 10 Crypto Index Fund.
These indexes would feature cryptocurrencies with the highest market capitalizations and are often used as benchmarks for the broader market or by investors seeking diversified exposure to the crypto sector.
Circulating Supply vs. Total Supply
Circulating supply refers to the number of tokens that are currently available to the public and actively being traded. It doesn’t include tokens that are locked in smart contracts or held by the project team for future use. Tokens that have been burned or are inaccessible are not counted either. Since market cap is based on circulating supply (not total or maximum supply), it gives a more realistic view of a cryptocurrency’s current market value.
Market Cap vs. Fully Diluted Valuation (FDV)
Another metric often mentioned alongside market cap is Fully Diluted Valuation (FDV). While market cap tells you what a crypto project is worth today, based on the number of tokens currently in circulation, FDV estimates what the project could be worth if all of its tokens were released into the market.
Most crypto projects don’t release their entire token supply at once. Instead, a large portion is usually set aside for things like team incentives, staking rewards, or community growth. These tokens are often locked and released gradually over time, sometimes spanning months or even years. FDV takes this future supply into account by using the formula:
FDV = Current Price × Max Supply
While market cap provides a useful snapshot of a project’s current value, it doesn’t always reflect the full picture. For example, a project with a $50 million market cap could have an FDV of $500 million if its full supply were circulating. If those additional tokens enter the market without enough demand to absorb them, the token’s price may fall due to dilution.
Looking at FDV alongside market cap offers a more balanced view of a project’s present valuation and potential long-term supply risks. Other complementary metrics like Total Value Locked (TVL), token release schedules, and trading volume can also help assess a project’s underlying fundamentals and longer-term prospects.
Closing Thoughts
Market capitalization is one of the most widely used metrics to gauge the size and maturity of a crypto project. But like any metric, it has its limitations and it's important to consider it alongside other indicators so you can form a more balanced view of a project’s current position and future potential.
Further Reading
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