12 Key Takeaways for Valuing Cryptocurrency and Dapp Tokens


Cryptocurrency and dapp (decentralized application) tokens have gained widespread attention in recent years, and with their increasing popularity, it's important to understand how to value them. Here are 12 key takeaways to consider when valuing these types of tokens:


  1. Layer 1 tokens, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, are often referred to as "blockspace" tokens because they are used to access the resources of the blockchain network.


  2. These tokens must be spent in order to access the resources of the blockchain, which means that they can be valued using commodity models. This involves analyzing factors such as the supply and demand for the token, as well as the costs associated with producing and distributing it.


  3. Dapp tokens, on the other hand, are tokens that are used within a specific decentralized application (dapp) and may accrue value in a base asset, such as Ether or Bitcoin.


  4. Traditional financial models can be used to value dapp tokens, such as discounted cash flow analysis, which involves forecasting the future cash flows that the dapp is expected to generate and discounting them back to present value.


  5. It's important to consider the adoption and usage of the dapp when valuing its token. A dapp with a large and growing user base is likely to generate more value for its token holders compared to a dapp with a small and stagnant user base.


  6. The utility of the dapp's token is another important factor to consider. A dapp with a valuable and unique product or service that is in high demand is more likely to generate value for its token holders compared to a dapp with a weak or unnecessary product or service.


  7. The governance structure of the dapp and the role of its token in decision-making can also impact its value. A dapp with a decentralized governance structure and a token that plays a significant role in decision-making may be more valuable compared to a dapp with a centralized governance structure and a token with limited influence.


  8. The level of liquidity of the dapp's token is another important factor to consider. A token with high liquidity, which means it can be easily bought and sold on exchanges, is generally more valuable compared to a token with low liquidity.


  9. The regulatory environment in which the dapp operates can also impact the value of its token. A dapp operating in a favorable regulatory environment with clear rules and guidelines is likely to generate more value compared to a dapp operating in an uncertain or hostile regulatory environment.


  10. The security of the dapp and the blockchain on which it operates is also crucial for the value of its token. A dapp with a secure and reliable blockchain is more likely to generate value compared to a dapp with a vulnerable or unreliable blockchain.


  11. The level of competition in the dapp's market is another important factor to consider. A dapp with little competition may have a higher valuation compared to a dapp with many similar competitors.


  12. Finally, it's important to keep in mind that the value of cryptocurrency and dapp tokens is highly volatile and can fluctuate significantly over time. It's important to carefully consider all of these factors and do your own research before making any investment decisions.


Crypto Valuation Models


The Valuation of Cryptocurrencies and Tokens

Cryptocurrencies and tokens are digital assets that are used as a medium of exchange, store of value, or a unit of account. The value of these assets is determined by the market, just like traditional stocks and commodities. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the ways in which cryptocurrencies and tokens can be valued.


The Total Money Equation

One of the fundamental principles of economics is that the total amount of money that changes hands in an economy will always equal the total money value of the goods and services that change hands in the economy. This principle can be applied to cryptocurrencies and tokens as well. For example, the value of Ethereum (ETH) could be determined based on its role as the currency that allows access to the Ethereum ecosystem.


The Network Value to Transactions (NVT) Ratio

The Network Value to Transactions (NVT) ratio is a metric that tries to compare the token price against the value transacted in the network. The higher the NVT value, the more speculative the asset is considered. However, it is important to note that the NVT ratio represents relative value and not an absolute intrinsic value.


The Stock-to-Flow Model

The stock-to-flow model is commonly used to price commodities. The model assesses two attributes: stock and flow. Stock refers to the total existing supply of a commodity, while flow refers to the new supply of the commodity that is created each year. Comparing these two attributes helps to assess the commodity’s relative abundance or scarcity. The higher the stock-to-flow ratio, the scarcer the commodity is considered. For Bitcoin (BTC), the stock is the current circulating supply, while the flow is the annual inflationary rewards to miners.


Value Accrual Tokens

Value accrual tokens, such as GMX, earn a “real yield,” which means that the protocol makes more money than it spends. These tokens can be valued in the same way as companies using relative valuation models (such as the Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio, Price-to-Sales (P/S) ratio, and Price-to-Flow (P/F) ratio) or discounted cash flow models. For more insights regarding protocol revenues and profits and their corresponding ratios, check out Token Terminal.


Key Takeaways

In conclusion, layer 1s or other tokens that must be spent to access a resource (such as blockspace) can be valued using commodity models, while dapp tokens that accrue value in a base asset can be valued using traditional financial models. It is important to keep in mind that the value of cryptocurrencies and tokens is determined by the market, and it is always subject to change.

12 Key Takeaways for Valuing Cryptocurrency and Dapp Tokens


Cryptocurrency and dapp (decentralized application) tokens have gained widespread attention in recent years, and with their increasing popularity, it's important to understand how to value them. Here are 12 key takeaways to consider when valuing these types of tokens:


  1. Layer 1 tokens, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, are often referred to as "blockspace" tokens because they are used to access the resources of the blockchain network.


  2. These tokens must be spent in order to access the resources of the blockchain, which means that they can be valued using commodity models. This involves analyzing factors such as the supply and demand for the token, as well as the costs associated with producing and distributing it.


  3. Dapp tokens, on the other hand, are tokens that are used within a specific decentralized application (dapp) and may accrue value in a base asset, such as Ether or Bitcoin.


  4. Traditional financial models can be used to value dapp tokens, such as discounted cash flow analysis, which involves forecasting the future cash flows that the dapp is expected to generate and discounting them back to present value.


  5. It's important to consider the adoption and usage of the dapp when valuing its token. A dapp with a large and growing user base is likely to generate more value for its token holders compared to a dapp with a small and stagnant user base.


  6. The utility of the dapp's token is another important factor to consider. A dapp with a valuable and unique product or service that is in high demand is more likely to generate value for its token holders compared to a dapp with a weak or unnecessary product or service.


  7. The governance structure of the dapp and the role of its token in decision-making can also impact its value. A dapp with a decentralized governance structure and a token that plays a significant role in decision-making may be more valuable compared to a dapp with a centralized governance structure and a token with limited influence.


  8. The level of liquidity of the dapp's token is another important factor to consider. A token with high liquidity, which means it can be easily bought and sold on exchanges, is generally more valuable compared to a token with low liquidity.


  9. The regulatory environment in which the dapp operates can also impact the value of its token. A dapp operating in a favorable regulatory environment with clear rules and guidelines is likely to generate more value compared to a dapp operating in an uncertain or hostile regulatory environment.


  10. The security of the dapp and the blockchain on which it operates is also crucial for the value of its token. A dapp with a secure and reliable blockchain is more likely to generate value compared to a dapp with a vulnerable or unreliable blockchain.


  11. The level of competition in the dapp's market is another important factor to consider. A dapp with little competition may have a higher valuation compared to a dapp with many similar competitors.


  12. Finally, it's important to keep in mind that the value of cryptocurrency and dapp tokens is highly volatile and can fluctuate significantly over time. It's important to carefully consider all of these factors and do your own research before making any investment decisions.


Crypto Valuation Models


The Valuation of Cryptocurrencies and Tokens

Cryptocurrencies and tokens are digital assets that are used as a medium of exchange, store of value, or a unit of account. The value of these assets is determined by the market, just like traditional stocks and commodities. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the ways in which cryptocurrencies and tokens can be valued.


The Total Money Equation

One of the fundamental principles of economics is that the total amount of money that changes hands in an economy will always equal the total money value of the goods and services that change hands in the economy. This principle can be applied to cryptocurrencies and tokens as well. For example, the value of Ethereum (ETH) could be determined based on its role as the currency that allows access to the Ethereum ecosystem.


The Network Value to Transactions (NVT) Ratio

The Network Value to Transactions (NVT) ratio is a metric that tries to compare the token price against the value transacted in the network. The higher the NVT value, the more speculative the asset is considered. However, it is important to note that the NVT ratio represents relative value and not an absolute intrinsic value.


The Stock-to-Flow Model

The stock-to-flow model is commonly used to price commodities. The model assesses two attributes: stock and flow. Stock refers to the total existing supply of a commodity, while flow refers to the new supply of the commodity that is created each year. Comparing these two attributes helps to assess the commodity’s relative abundance or scarcity. The higher the stock-to-flow ratio, the scarcer the commodity is considered. For Bitcoin (BTC), the stock is the current circulating supply, while the flow is the annual inflationary rewards to miners.


Value Accrual Tokens

Value accrual tokens, such as GMX, earn a “real yield,” which means that the protocol makes more money than it spends. These tokens can be valued in the same way as companies using relative valuation models (such as the Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio, Price-to-Sales (P/S) ratio, and Price-to-Flow (P/F) ratio) or discounted cash flow models. For more insights regarding protocol revenues and profits and their corresponding ratios, check out Token Terminal.


Key Takeaways

In conclusion, layer 1s or other tokens that must be spent to access a resource (such as blockspace) can be valued using commodity models, while dapp tokens that accrue value in a base asset can be valued using traditional financial models. It is important to keep in mind that the value of cryptocurrencies and tokens is determined by the market, and it is always subject to change.

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