In crypto, the term “moonshot” describes a low-cap project with the potential to deliver exponential returns — 10×, 50×, or even 100×. These are the speculative bets that attract early investors willing to stomach risk in exchange for asymmetric upside. The current market cycle makes 2025 an opportune year for moonshots. As institutional capital flows toward Bitcoin and Ethereum, retail attention shifts to smaller tokens that could outperform during the next broad rally. The challenge is separating real innovation from noise. What Qualifies as a Moonshot Moonshot tokens share three measurable traits: Low Market Capitalization – typically under $50 million, sometimes below $10 million. Small liquidity pools mean even modest demand can move prices sharply. Narrative Alignment – the strongest moonshots fit into emerging narratives like AI integration, real-world asset tokenization (RWA), or decentralized physical infrastructure (DePIN). Early Stage Positioning – minimal exchange listings, limited liquidity, and early development phases. These conditions carry both opportunity and risk. Social traction and community energy amplify all three. Viral memes or strong community engagement can accelerate a coin’s momentum faster than fundamentals alone. Key Narratives Driving Moonshots in 2025 1. AI + Blockchain AI-linked tokens remain a hotbed for speculation. Projects combining machine learning with decentralized data or compute networks captured attention in 2024. The next wave is likely to come from smaller AI infrastructure plays, especially those building decentralized compute or AI agent markets. 2. Real-World Asset (RWA) Tokenization Tokenizing real-world assets — bonds, real estate, commodities — is emerging as one of 2025’s most credible growth stories. Platforms enabling regulatory-compliant issuance and trading of RWAs could see massive adoption if institutions adopt blockchain rails. Low-cap entrants in this space, such as early-stage DeFi RWA protocols, fit the “moonshot” profile. 3. Gaming and Metaverse Tokens Gaming remains one of the most promising on-ramps for mainstream blockchain adoption, and in 2025, the strongest momentum comes from Web2 gaming companies expanding into Web3 rather than speculative GameFi experiments. The best current example is TRUE LABS, a game studio with over 4.5 million players now powering its TRUE World Web3 progression layer through the $TRUE token listing.  4. Meme and Community Tokens While memes remain volatile, 2025 will likely see a few community-driven successes echoing PEPE or BONK’s runs. Their power lies in viral engagement and liquidity rotation during bull-market euphoria. However, these are pure sentiment plays — not fundamentals — and should be treated as speculative gambles. Positioning Moonshots in a Portfolio Moonshots work best as a small allocation — typically 2–5 % of total crypto exposure. The goal is asymmetric risk: small losses if they fail, outsized wins if one succeeds. The rest of the portfolio should stay in established assets with proven liquidity and security. This approach allows participation in speculative upside without jeopardizing capital preservation. What Tokens Could Be Considered Moonshots in 2025 The market is flooded with early presales promising innovation. Most fade before launch because they lack revenue, users, or a working product. A credible moonshot in 2025 must meet three conditions: Operational Proof – measurable activity (users, revenue, or partnerships). Scalable On-Chain Utility – real integration with blockchain systems, not just tokenized hype. Supply Control – mechanisms like burns or buybacks that reinforce value over time. The $TRUE token meets all three, while other projects — Orderly, Meteora, Avantis, and Plasma — illustrate other corners of the 2025 opportunity map. TRUE LABS: Web2 Success Going Web3 The next big crypto listing to watch is TRUE LABS, a licensed game studio behind more than 60 released titles, 1,700 partner integrations, and a player base exceeding 4.5 million. After six years of building in the gaming industry, the studio plans to list its native $TRUE token on Tier-1 CEX and DEX platforms in Q4 2025. Unlike speculative GameFi startups, TRUE LABS already generates over €7 million in monthly gross gaming revenue. The $TRUE token is designed not to fund development but to extend an already profitable ecosystem into Web3. Why $TRUE Could be the Next Moonshot: Deflationary model – usage-based token burns and buybacks funded from real revenue link scarcity to business success. Ecosystem utility – powers in-game purchases, player rewards, and staking pools across existing titles. Revenue-backed foundation – the solid reputation of TRUE LABS lays a strong basis for the $TRUE token sustainability.  For traders seeking a token backed by fundamentals — not promises — $TRUE offers rare credibility among upcoming listings. It brings verifiable cash flow, a functioning product suite, and millions of paying users already in place. If GameFi 1.0 was about experimentation, TRUE marks the start of GameFi 2.0 — profit-driven and sustainable. Orderly Network: Building Liquidity Infrastructure Orderly Network takes a completely different approach. It’s a liquidity layer built on NEAR and Arbitrum, designed to unify fragmented DeFi markets. By providing shared liquidity pools to connected exchanges and protocols, Orderly aims to fix one of DeFi’s biggest weaknesses: capital inefficiency. Why it’s notable: Orderly has active integrations with major DeFi protocols, giving it tangible utility. It benefits from the infrastructure narrative, which remains strong as modular and cross-chain solutions mature. The token’s risk lies in competition — players like dYdX v4 and Hyperliquid dominate the same niche. A solid, infrastructure-driven moonshot for investors focused on long-term DeFi evolution rather than fast speculative gains. Meteora: The Liquidity Engine of Solana Meteora positions itself as the liquidity backbone of the Solana ecosystem, offering dynamic vaults and automated liquidity management. It’s part of the growing “DeFi re-industrialization” on Solana after its ecosystem revival in 2024. Strengths: Close alignment with Solana’s rising TVL and developer activity. Innovative approach to capital efficiency through adaptive vaults. Backed by established Solana funds and projects. Risks:Solana’s ecosystem, though expanding, remains cyclical. Meteora’s growth depends heavily on the chain’s continued momentum. Verdict:Meteora fits the “narrative moonshot” mold — technically strong and ecosystem-driven, but sensitive to macro market flows. Avantis: Derivatives Reimagined Avantis is emerging as a decentralized derivatives exchange aiming to bridge institutional liquidity with DeFi trading. It uses smart-margin systems and real-time risk engines to allow leveraged positions without centralized custodianship. Upside: Positioned within the DeFi 2.0 derivatives trend, alongside GMX v3 and Drift. Early traction among power users seeking transparency and better fee models. Concerns:Competition is fierce, and derivatives DEX adoption remains low compared with spot markets. Avantis must prove depth of liquidity and robust risk controls before scaling. Verdict:An ambitious project with potential upside in the next derivatives wave, though still in early product-validation stages. Plasma: Scaling Beyond Rollups Plasma is part of the next-generation modular scaling race, revisiting early Ethereum “Plasma chain” concepts with modern proofs and data-availability layers. The idea: achieve near-instant finality and ultra-low fees without centralization compromises. Pros: Strong technical thesis and renewed developer interest in modular designs. Fits perfectly into the scalability narrative for 2025, alongside Celestia and EigenLayer. Cons: Highly experimental; implementation risk is high. Adoption depends on developer migration from existing Layer-2 ecosystems. Verdict:A classic “high-risk, high-reward” moonshot — powerful idea, but a long road to market validation. Comparing the 2025 Moonshot Set Project Core Narrative Traction Risk Profile What Makes It Interesting TRUE LABS ($TRUE) GameFi 2.0 / Revenue-Backed €7M monthly revenue, 4.5M players Low–Medium First listing from a licensed gaming studio with real revenue Orderly DeFi Liquidity Infrastructure Multi-chain integrations Medium Shared liquidity layer with expanding ecosystem Meteora Solana DeFi Liquidity Solana TVL growth Medium Key player in Solana’s liquidity resurgence Avantis Derivatives DEX Product testing High Targeting institutional DeFi traders Plasma Modular Scaling / L2 Early development High Reinventing scalability with Plasma-style proofs Conclusion In 2025, established assets consolidate institutional trust, while smaller tokens fight for attention in new narratives. The smart play isn’t chasing every presale or meme trend — it’s recognizing which narratives are gaining real traction and finding early, credible projects within them. Crypto moonshots remain what they’ve always been: high-risk experiments in innovation and timing. The investors who treat them as such — with discipline, skepticism, and strategy — are the ones most likely to see them actually reach the moon. Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, gambling, or legal advice.In crypto, the term “moonshot” describes a low-cap project with the potential to deliver exponential returns — 10×, 50×, or even 100×. These are the speculative bets that attract early investors willing to stomach risk in exchange for asymmetric upside. The current market cycle makes 2025 an opportune year for moonshots. As institutional capital flows toward Bitcoin and Ethereum, retail attention shifts to smaller tokens that could outperform during the next broad rally. The challenge is separating real innovation from noise. What Qualifies as a Moonshot Moonshot tokens share three measurable traits: Low Market Capitalization – typically under $50 million, sometimes below $10 million. Small liquidity pools mean even modest demand can move prices sharply. Narrative Alignment – the strongest moonshots fit into emerging narratives like AI integration, real-world asset tokenization (RWA), or decentralized physical infrastructure (DePIN). Early Stage Positioning – minimal exchange listings, limited liquidity, and early development phases. These conditions carry both opportunity and risk. Social traction and community energy amplify all three. Viral memes or strong community engagement can accelerate a coin’s momentum faster than fundamentals alone. Key Narratives Driving Moonshots in 2025 1. AI + Blockchain AI-linked tokens remain a hotbed for speculation. Projects combining machine learning with decentralized data or compute networks captured attention in 2024. The next wave is likely to come from smaller AI infrastructure plays, especially those building decentralized compute or AI agent markets. 2. Real-World Asset (RWA) Tokenization Tokenizing real-world assets — bonds, real estate, commodities — is emerging as one of 2025’s most credible growth stories. Platforms enabling regulatory-compliant issuance and trading of RWAs could see massive adoption if institutions adopt blockchain rails. Low-cap entrants in this space, such as early-stage DeFi RWA protocols, fit the “moonshot” profile. 3. Gaming and Metaverse Tokens Gaming remains one of the most promising on-ramps for mainstream blockchain adoption, and in 2025, the strongest momentum comes from Web2 gaming companies expanding into Web3 rather than speculative GameFi experiments. The best current example is TRUE LABS, a game studio with over 4.5 million players now powering its TRUE World Web3 progression layer through the $TRUE token listing.  4. Meme and Community Tokens While memes remain volatile, 2025 will likely see a few community-driven successes echoing PEPE or BONK’s runs. Their power lies in viral engagement and liquidity rotation during bull-market euphoria. However, these are pure sentiment plays — not fundamentals — and should be treated as speculative gambles. Positioning Moonshots in a Portfolio Moonshots work best as a small allocation — typically 2–5 % of total crypto exposure. The goal is asymmetric risk: small losses if they fail, outsized wins if one succeeds. The rest of the portfolio should stay in established assets with proven liquidity and security. This approach allows participation in speculative upside without jeopardizing capital preservation. What Tokens Could Be Considered Moonshots in 2025 The market is flooded with early presales promising innovation. Most fade before launch because they lack revenue, users, or a working product. A credible moonshot in 2025 must meet three conditions: Operational Proof – measurable activity (users, revenue, or partnerships). Scalable On-Chain Utility – real integration with blockchain systems, not just tokenized hype. Supply Control – mechanisms like burns or buybacks that reinforce value over time. The $TRUE token meets all three, while other projects — Orderly, Meteora, Avantis, and Plasma — illustrate other corners of the 2025 opportunity map. TRUE LABS: Web2 Success Going Web3 The next big crypto listing to watch is TRUE LABS, a licensed game studio behind more than 60 released titles, 1,700 partner integrations, and a player base exceeding 4.5 million. After six years of building in the gaming industry, the studio plans to list its native $TRUE token on Tier-1 CEX and DEX platforms in Q4 2025. Unlike speculative GameFi startups, TRUE LABS already generates over €7 million in monthly gross gaming revenue. The $TRUE token is designed not to fund development but to extend an already profitable ecosystem into Web3. Why $TRUE Could be the Next Moonshot: Deflationary model – usage-based token burns and buybacks funded from real revenue link scarcity to business success. Ecosystem utility – powers in-game purchases, player rewards, and staking pools across existing titles. Revenue-backed foundation – the solid reputation of TRUE LABS lays a strong basis for the $TRUE token sustainability.  For traders seeking a token backed by fundamentals — not promises — $TRUE offers rare credibility among upcoming listings. It brings verifiable cash flow, a functioning product suite, and millions of paying users already in place. If GameFi 1.0 was about experimentation, TRUE marks the start of GameFi 2.0 — profit-driven and sustainable. Orderly Network: Building Liquidity Infrastructure Orderly Network takes a completely different approach. It’s a liquidity layer built on NEAR and Arbitrum, designed to unify fragmented DeFi markets. By providing shared liquidity pools to connected exchanges and protocols, Orderly aims to fix one of DeFi’s biggest weaknesses: capital inefficiency. Why it’s notable: Orderly has active integrations with major DeFi protocols, giving it tangible utility. It benefits from the infrastructure narrative, which remains strong as modular and cross-chain solutions mature. The token’s risk lies in competition — players like dYdX v4 and Hyperliquid dominate the same niche. A solid, infrastructure-driven moonshot for investors focused on long-term DeFi evolution rather than fast speculative gains. Meteora: The Liquidity Engine of Solana Meteora positions itself as the liquidity backbone of the Solana ecosystem, offering dynamic vaults and automated liquidity management. It’s part of the growing “DeFi re-industrialization” on Solana after its ecosystem revival in 2024. Strengths: Close alignment with Solana’s rising TVL and developer activity. Innovative approach to capital efficiency through adaptive vaults. Backed by established Solana funds and projects. Risks:Solana’s ecosystem, though expanding, remains cyclical. Meteora’s growth depends heavily on the chain’s continued momentum. Verdict:Meteora fits the “narrative moonshot” mold — technically strong and ecosystem-driven, but sensitive to macro market flows. Avantis: Derivatives Reimagined Avantis is emerging as a decentralized derivatives exchange aiming to bridge institutional liquidity with DeFi trading. It uses smart-margin systems and real-time risk engines to allow leveraged positions without centralized custodianship. Upside: Positioned within the DeFi 2.0 derivatives trend, alongside GMX v3 and Drift. Early traction among power users seeking transparency and better fee models. Concerns:Competition is fierce, and derivatives DEX adoption remains low compared with spot markets. Avantis must prove depth of liquidity and robust risk controls before scaling. Verdict:An ambitious project with potential upside in the next derivatives wave, though still in early product-validation stages. Plasma: Scaling Beyond Rollups Plasma is part of the next-generation modular scaling race, revisiting early Ethereum “Plasma chain” concepts with modern proofs and data-availability layers. The idea: achieve near-instant finality and ultra-low fees without centralization compromises. Pros: Strong technical thesis and renewed developer interest in modular designs. Fits perfectly into the scalability narrative for 2025, alongside Celestia and EigenLayer. Cons: Highly experimental; implementation risk is high. Adoption depends on developer migration from existing Layer-2 ecosystems. Verdict:A classic “high-risk, high-reward” moonshot — powerful idea, but a long road to market validation. Comparing the 2025 Moonshot Set Project Core Narrative Traction Risk Profile What Makes It Interesting TRUE LABS ($TRUE) GameFi 2.0 / Revenue-Backed €7M monthly revenue, 4.5M players Low–Medium First listing from a licensed gaming studio with real revenue Orderly DeFi Liquidity Infrastructure Multi-chain integrations Medium Shared liquidity layer with expanding ecosystem Meteora Solana DeFi Liquidity Solana TVL growth Medium Key player in Solana’s liquidity resurgence Avantis Derivatives DEX Product testing High Targeting institutional DeFi traders Plasma Modular Scaling / L2 Early development High Reinventing scalability with Plasma-style proofs Conclusion In 2025, established assets consolidate institutional trust, while smaller tokens fight for attention in new narratives. The smart play isn’t chasing every presale or meme trend — it’s recognizing which narratives are gaining real traction and finding early, credible projects within them. Crypto moonshots remain what they’ve always been: high-risk experiments in innovation and timing. The investors who treat them as such — with discipline, skepticism, and strategy — are the ones most likely to see them actually reach the moon. Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, gambling, or legal advice.

Crypto Moonshots in 2025: High-Risk, High-Reward Tokens to Watch Now

2025/10/27 22:24

In crypto, the term “moonshot” describes a low-cap project with the potential to deliver exponential returns — 10×, 50×, or even 100×. These are the speculative bets that attract early investors willing to stomach risk in exchange for asymmetric upside.

The current market cycle makes 2025 an opportune year for moonshots. As institutional capital flows toward Bitcoin and Ethereum, retail attention shifts to smaller tokens that could outperform during the next broad rally. The challenge is separating real innovation from noise.

What Qualifies as a Moonshot

Moonshot tokens share three measurable traits:

  1. Low Market Capitalization – typically under $50 million, sometimes below $10 million. Small liquidity pools mean even modest demand can move prices sharply.

  2. Narrative Alignment – the strongest moonshots fit into emerging narratives like AI integration, real-world asset tokenization (RWA), or decentralized physical infrastructure (DePIN).

  3. Early Stage Positioning – minimal exchange listings, limited liquidity, and early development phases. These conditions carry both opportunity and risk.

Social traction and community energy amplify all three. Viral memes or strong community engagement can accelerate a coin’s momentum faster than fundamentals alone.

Key Narratives Driving Moonshots in 2025

1. AI + Blockchain

AI-linked tokens remain a hotbed for speculation. Projects combining machine learning with decentralized data or compute networks captured attention in 2024. The next wave is likely to come from smaller AI infrastructure plays, especially those building decentralized compute or AI agent markets.

2. Real-World Asset (RWA) Tokenization

Tokenizing real-world assets — bonds, real estate, commodities — is emerging as one of 2025’s most credible growth stories. Platforms enabling regulatory-compliant issuance and trading of RWAs could see massive adoption if institutions adopt blockchain rails. Low-cap entrants in this space, such as early-stage DeFi RWA protocols, fit the “moonshot” profile.

3. Gaming and Metaverse Tokens

Gaming remains one of the most promising on-ramps for mainstream blockchain adoption, and in 2025, the strongest momentum comes from Web2 gaming companies expanding into Web3 rather than speculative GameFi experiments. The best current example is TRUE LABS, a game studio with over 4.5 million players now powering its TRUE World Web3 progression layer through the $TRUE token listing. 

4. Meme and Community Tokens

While memes remain volatile, 2025 will likely see a few community-driven successes echoing PEPE or BONK’s runs. Their power lies in viral engagement and liquidity rotation during bull-market euphoria. However, these are pure sentiment plays — not fundamentals — and should be treated as speculative gambles.

Positioning Moonshots in a Portfolio

Moonshots work best as a small allocation — typically 2–5 % of total crypto exposure. The goal is asymmetric risk: small losses if they fail, outsized wins if one succeeds.

The rest of the portfolio should stay in established assets with proven liquidity and security. This approach allows participation in speculative upside without jeopardizing capital preservation.

What Tokens Could Be Considered Moonshots in 2025

The market is flooded with early presales promising innovation. Most fade before launch because they lack revenue, users, or a working product. A credible moonshot in 2025 must meet three conditions:

  1. Operational Proof – measurable activity (users, revenue, or partnerships).

  2. Scalable On-Chain Utility – real integration with blockchain systems, not just tokenized hype.

  3. Supply Control – mechanisms like burns or buybacks that reinforce value over time.

The $TRUE token meets all three, while other projects — Orderly, Meteora, Avantis, and Plasma — illustrate other corners of the 2025 opportunity map.

TRUE LABS: Web2 Success Going Web3

The next big crypto listing to watch is TRUE LABS, a licensed game studio behind more than 60 released titles, 1,700 partner integrations, and a player base exceeding 4.5 million. After six years of building in the gaming industry, the studio plans to list its native $TRUE token on Tier-1 CEX and DEX platforms in Q4 2025.

Unlike speculative GameFi startups, TRUE LABS already generates over €7 million in monthly gross gaming revenue. The $TRUE token is designed not to fund development but to extend an already profitable ecosystem into Web3.

Why $TRUE Could be the Next Moonshot:

  • Deflationary model – usage-based token burns and buybacks funded from real revenue link scarcity to business success.

  • Ecosystem utility – powers in-game purchases, player rewards, and staking pools across existing titles.

  • Revenue-backed foundation – the solid reputation of TRUE LABS lays a strong basis for the $TRUE token sustainability. 

For traders seeking a token backed by fundamentals — not promises — $TRUE offers rare credibility among upcoming listings. It brings verifiable cash flow, a functioning product suite, and millions of paying users already in place.

If GameFi 1.0 was about experimentation, TRUE marks the start of GameFi 2.0 — profit-driven and sustainable.

Orderly Network: Building Liquidity Infrastructure

Orderly Network takes a completely different approach. It’s a liquidity layer built on NEAR and Arbitrum, designed to unify fragmented DeFi markets. By providing shared liquidity pools to connected exchanges and protocols, Orderly aims to fix one of DeFi’s biggest weaknesses: capital inefficiency.

Why it’s notable:

  • Orderly has active integrations with major DeFi protocols, giving it tangible utility.

  • It benefits from the infrastructure narrative, which remains strong as modular and cross-chain solutions mature.

  • The token’s risk lies in competition — players like dYdX v4 and Hyperliquid dominate the same niche.

A solid, infrastructure-driven moonshot for investors focused on long-term DeFi evolution rather than fast speculative gains.

Meteora: The Liquidity Engine of Solana

Meteora positions itself as the liquidity backbone of the Solana ecosystem, offering dynamic vaults and automated liquidity management. It’s part of the growing “DeFi re-industrialization” on Solana after its ecosystem revival in 2024.

Strengths:

  • Close alignment with Solana’s rising TVL and developer activity.

  • Innovative approach to capital efficiency through adaptive vaults.

  • Backed by established Solana funds and projects.

Risks:Solana’s ecosystem, though expanding, remains cyclical. Meteora’s growth depends heavily on the chain’s continued momentum.

Verdict:Meteora fits the “narrative moonshot” mold — technically strong and ecosystem-driven, but sensitive to macro market flows.

Avantis: Derivatives Reimagined

Avantis is emerging as a decentralized derivatives exchange aiming to bridge institutional liquidity with DeFi trading. It uses smart-margin systems and real-time risk engines to allow leveraged positions without centralized custodianship.

Upside:

  • Positioned within the DeFi 2.0 derivatives trend, alongside GMX v3 and Drift.

  • Early traction among power users seeking transparency and better fee models.

Concerns:Competition is fierce, and derivatives DEX adoption remains low compared with spot markets. Avantis must prove depth of liquidity and robust risk controls before scaling.

Verdict:An ambitious project with potential upside in the next derivatives wave, though still in early product-validation stages.

Plasma: Scaling Beyond Rollups

Plasma is part of the next-generation modular scaling race, revisiting early Ethereum “Plasma chain” concepts with modern proofs and data-availability layers. The idea: achieve near-instant finality and ultra-low fees without centralization compromises.

Pros:

  • Strong technical thesis and renewed developer interest in modular designs.

  • Fits perfectly into the scalability narrative for 2025, alongside Celestia and EigenLayer.

Cons:

  • Highly experimental; implementation risk is high.

  • Adoption depends on developer migration from existing Layer-2 ecosystems.

Verdict:A classic “high-risk, high-reward” moonshot — powerful idea, but a long road to market validation.

Comparing the 2025 Moonshot Set

Project

Core Narrative

Traction

Risk Profile

What Makes It Interesting

TRUE LABS ($TRUE)

GameFi 2.0 / Revenue-Backed

€7M monthly revenue, 4.5M players

Low–Medium

First listing from a licensed gaming studio with real revenue

Orderly

DeFi Liquidity Infrastructure

Multi-chain integrations

Medium

Shared liquidity layer with expanding ecosystem

Meteora

Solana DeFi Liquidity

Solana TVL growth

Medium

Key player in Solana’s liquidity resurgence

Avantis

Derivatives DEX

Product testing

High

Targeting institutional DeFi traders

Plasma

Modular Scaling / L2

Early development

High

Reinventing scalability with Plasma-style proofs

Conclusion

In 2025, established assets consolidate institutional trust, while smaller tokens fight for attention in new narratives. The smart play isn’t chasing every presale or meme trend — it’s recognizing which narratives are gaining real traction and finding early, credible projects within them.

Crypto moonshots remain what they’ve always been: high-risk experiments in innovation and timing. The investors who treat them as such — with discipline, skepticism, and strategy — are the ones most likely to see them actually reach the moon.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, gambling, or legal advice.

Disclaimer: The articles reposted on this site are sourced from public platforms and are provided for informational purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the views of MEXC. All rights remain with the original authors. If you believe any content infringes on third-party rights, please contact service@support.mexc.com for removal. MEXC makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content and is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. The content does not constitute financial, legal, or other professional advice, nor should it be considered a recommendation or endorsement by MEXC.
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This fear of disruption drives their resistance to providing the very data that could fuel their own automation. Mercor’s success is a direct challenge to these incumbents, as their valuable corporate knowledge effectively ‘slips out the back door’ through former employees. Foody believes that companies fall into two categories: those that embrace this ‘new future of work’ and those that are fearful of being sidelined. His prediction is clear: the former category will ultimately be on ‘the right side of history,’ adapting to a rapidly changing technological landscape rather than resisting the inevitable. Revolutionizing AI Training: Mercor’s Expert-Driven Model The evolution of AI training data acquisition has seen a significant shift. Early in the AI boom, data vendors like Scale AI primarily hired contractors in developing countries for relatively simple labeling tasks. Mercor, however, was among the first to recruit highly-skilled knowledge workers in the U.S. and compensate them handsomely for their expertise. This focus on expert-driven AI training has proven critical for improving the sophistication and accuracy of AI models. Competitors like Surge AI and Scale AI have since recognized this need and are now also focusing on recruiting experts. Furthermore, many data vendors are developing ‘training environments’ to enhance AI agents’ ability to perform real-world tasks. Mercor has also benefited from the challenges faced by its competitors; for instance, many AI labs reportedly ceased working with Scale AI after Meta made a significant investment in the company and hired its CEO. Despite still being smaller than Surge and Scale AI (both valued at over $20 billion), Mercor has quintupled its value in the last year, demonstrating its powerful trajectory. Feature Mercor Scale AI / Surge AI (Early Model) Target Workforce Highly-skilled former industry experts General contractors, often in developing countries Data Type Complex industry knowledge, reports, forms, codebase access Simple labeling, data annotation Value Proposition Unlocks proprietary industry insights for AI automation Scalable, cost-effective basic data processing Compensation Up to $200/hour Lower hourly rates Beyond the Horizon: Mercor’s Future and the Gig Economy of Expertise While most of Mercor’s current revenue stems from a select few AI labs, Foody envisions a broader future. The startup plans to expand its partnerships into other sectors, anticipating that companies in law, finance, and medicine will seek assistance in leveraging their internal data to train AI agents. This specialization in extracting and structuring expert knowledge positions Mercor to play a crucial role in the widespread adoption of AI across various industries. Foody’s long-term vision is ambitious: he believes that advanced AI, like ChatGPT, will eventually surpass the capabilities of even the best human consulting firms, investment banks, and law firms. This transformation, he suggests, will radically reshape the economy, creating a ‘broadly positive force that helps to create abundance for everyone.’ Mercor, in this context, is not just a data provider but a facilitator of a new type of gig economy, one built on specialized expertise and akin to the transformative impact Uber had on transportation. The Bitcoin World Disrupt 2025 Insight The discussion surrounding Mercor at Bitcoin World Disrupt 2025 underscores the event’s role as a nexus for cutting-edge technological discourse. Held in San Francisco from October 27-29, 2025, the conference brought together a formidable lineup of founders, investors, and tech leaders from companies like Google Cloud, Netflix, Microsoft, a16z, and ElevenLabs. With over 250 heavy hitters leading more than 200 sessions, Bitcoin World Disrupt served as a vital platform for sharing insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen industry edge. The presence of Mercor’s CEO on a panel highlighted that the future of technology, including the critical area of AI training data, is a central theme even at events with a strong cryptocurrency focus, demonstrating the interconnectedness of modern innovation. FAQs About Mercor and AI Data Acquisition What is Mercor?Mercor is a startup that operates a marketplace connecting AI labs with former senior employees from various industries. These experts provide their specialized corporate knowledge to help train AI models, offering a novel way to acquire valuable industry data that traditional companies are unwilling to share. How does Mercor acquire data for AI labs?Mercor recruits highly-skilled former employees from sectors like finance, consulting, and law. These individuals are paid to fill out forms and write reports based on their industry experience, which is then used for AI training. Is Mercor’s approach legal and ethical?While Mercor CEO Brendan Foody argues that knowledge in an employee’s head belongs to the employee, the process walks a fine line. The company instructs contractors not to upload proprietary documents. However, the potential for inadvertently sharing sensitive corporate knowledge remains a subject of ongoing debate. Which AI labs use Mercor?Prominent AI labs that are customers of Mercor include OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta. How does Mercor compare to its competitors like Scale AI or Surge AI?Unlike early data vendors that focused on simple labeling tasks with a general workforce, Mercor specializes in recruiting highly-skilled industry experts to provide complex corporate knowledge for AI training. While competitors like Scale AI and Surge AI are now also engaging experts, Mercor has carved out a unique niche with its expert-driven model. Conclusion: Mercor’s Impact on the Future of AI Mercor’s innovative model represents a significant shift in how AI labs acquire the specialized industry data essential for their development. By tapping into the vast reservoir of corporate knowledge held by former employees, Mercor not only bypasses traditional data acquisition hurdles but also challenges established notions of intellectual property and the future of work. The startup’s rapid growth and substantial valuation underscore the immense demand for this expert-driven data. As AI continues to advance, Mercor’s approach could indeed pave the way for a new gig economy of expertise, profoundly impacting how industries operate and how AI training evolves. The ethical considerations surrounding data ownership will undoubtedly continue to be debated, but Mercor’s disruptive strategy has undeniably opened a powerful new channel for AI innovation. To learn more about the latest AI market trends, explore our article on key developments shaping AI models features. This post AI Labs: Mercor’s Bold Strategy Unlocks Priceless Industry Data first appeared on BitcoinWorld.
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Coinstats2025/10/30 00:40