RWA Tokens and Chainlink Outperform Amid 2025 Altcoin Slump

Crypto

RWA Tokens and Chainlink Outperform Amid 2025 Altcoin Slump

In 2025, RWA tokenization emerged as the top-performing crypto narrative, delivering average returns of 185.8% according to Coingecko research. While most altcoin sectors like L1 chains, memes, and AI agents suffered deep losses, RWAs thrived on demand for on-chain asset exposure, marking a shift toward sustainable infrastructure.

• RWA tokens led with 185.8% average gains in 2025, per Coingecko data on top performers.
• L1 chains struggled overall, with Ethereum down 10% and Solana down 34% in recent periods.
• Memecoins lost 31.6% on average, while AI agents dropped 50.2%, highlighting narrative weaknesses.

What Was the Top-Performing Crypto Narrative in 2025？

RWA tokenization was the standout crypto narrative in 2025, posting average returns of over 185% as investors sought real-world asset exposure on-chain. According to Coingecko research, top RWA tokens drove this growth, with demand surging for tokenized stocks and infrastructure plays like Chainlink and ONDO. This sector offset widespread altcoin weakness, providing the most sustainable gains in a low-return bull cycle.

Why Did L1 Chains Underperform in the 2025 Crypto Market？

Layer 1 chains, once viewed as blue-chip assets, faced significant headwinds in 2025. Ethereum recorded a net 10% decline over the past 12 months despite rising activity in stablecoins and lending protocols. Solana dropped over 34% recently to $123.52, even as a meme trading hub. BNB and TRX were rare bright spots, up 22% and 9.9% respectively, but smaller L1s like AVAX fell 66.5% and TON 73.4% to $1.52. Traffic shifted to L2 networks, eroding liquidity for many L1 platforms. Coingecko data underscores how token performance decoupled from on-chain utility in this environment.