Analysis
On-Chain Revenue: The New Metric for Crypto Valuation
January 10, 2024
12 min read
# On-Chain Revenue: The New Metric for Crypto Valuation
Traditional market capitalization has long been the primary metric for evaluating cryptocurrency projects. However, as the industry matures, on-chain revenue is emerging as a more meaningful indicator of a protocol's actual value creation.
## Why Market Cap Falls Short
Market capitalization only tells us about the total value of tokens in circulation, not about the actual economic activity or value generation of a protocol.
## The On-Chain Revenue Model
On-chain revenue measures the actual fees and value generated by a protocol's operations. This provides a clearer picture of which projects are creating real economic value.
## Key Metrics to Watch
- Protocol fees
- Transaction volume
- Active users
- Revenue per user
## Implications for Investors
Understanding on-chain revenue can help investors identify projects with sustainable business models and long-term value potential.