Volatility Hits Early 2025: Bitcoin Holds, Ethereum Falls, Meme Coin Valuations Collapse

January has proven to be a captivating period for many crypto assets, with bitcoin (BTC) managing a 2.3% rise against the U.S. dollar since the onset of 2025. However, several other digital currencies recorded quadruple and triple-digit gains, while numerous coins experienced losses ranging from 55% to nearly 80% over the past month.

Cryptos 2025 Rollercoaster

At press time, at the start of February 2025, the global crypto market capitalization is pegged at $3.36 trillion—a figure that remains above the $3.26 trillion recorded on Jan. 1, 2025. In January, bitcoin (BTC) advanced 2.3% even as ethereum (ETH) declined by more than 10% during the same period.

XCN/USD via Kraken on Feb. 2, 2025.

The top performer this past month was onyxcoin (XCN), which leapt 1,098% against the greenback. Then theres toshi (TOSHI), which is up 443% since the beginning of the year, and ultimaecosystem (ULTIMA) appreciated by 97.6% in value.

TOSHI/USD via Coinbase on Feb. 2, 2025.

Vethor (VTHO) managed an 86.1% climb, and alchemy pay (ACH) is up 66.95%. Other notable gainers include OM, up 31.47%, GT, which increased 24.60%, and KCS, which is up 23.82% against the U.S. dollar.

Nevertheless, January proved less favorable for many coins, which followed a markedly different path. For instance, the months most significant declination belongs to AI16Z, the artificial intelligence (AI) agent meme coin, which lost 78.48% of its value in January.

AI16Z/USDT via Coinex on Feb. 2, 2025.

Thorchain (RUNE) experienced a staggering 71.67% drop this past month, and virtual protocol (VIRTUALS) declined by 61.93%. PENGU is down 60.01%, FARTCOIN has shed 57.48%, MOG is down 52.92%, BRETT has lost 51.38%, and DOG has fallen by 50.11%.

RUNEI/USDT via Binance on Feb. 2, 2025.

WIF, too, is down 48.50% in January, positioned just below DOGs losses. A substantial portion of these setbacks stemmed exclusively from the speculative meme coin sector.

Presently, market participants appear poised to navigate uncharted territories, fueling both optimism and caution. Such oscillations remind stakeholders that several sets and types of crypto assets remain an evolving experiment.

It is evident that throughout the crypto market, volatility has indelibly marked the start of 2025. It will be interesting to see if this trend continues to define the year.