Most Tokens Get Listed, Then Immediately Start Their Victory Lap to Zero

Getting listed on a major crypto exchange used to feel like the ultimate flex—like you'd finally made it to the grown-ups' table. But new data shows that for most tokens, it's actually just the beginning of a rough journey straight into the meat grinder of market reality.

A recent industry report reveals that only about 32% of newly listed tokens actually rise in price shortly after launch on major exchanges. That's a success rate that would make even a degenerate gambler pause and reconsider their life choices.

Early Gains Fade Quickly

Among the top exchanges, South Korea's Upbit stands out, with about 67% of its newly listed tokens still in profit after 30 days. However, it lists fewer tokens compared to others, so quality over quantity seems to be their vibe. Platforms like Binance and OKX follow with around 50% of tokens in the green during the same period—basically a coin flip, which feels appropriate for this industry.

But after that initial honeymoon phase, things start to change faster than a crypto founder's Discord bio. Between 30 and 60 days, only about 25% of tokens remain profitable. Over time, that number keeps dropping across all exchanges, like a sadder version of a stairmaster that only goes down.

By the end of one year, less than 10% of tokens are still above their listing price. Even Upbit, which starts strong, sees its tokens decline the fastest. "Notably, listings on Upbit, which start off the best, also decline fastest, as all newly-listed tokens go underwater by the 300 – 329 day mark," the report said.

One Exception Stands Out

There is one interesting outlier as Coinbase shows a slightly different trend. Some tokens listed there tend to recover after several months, getting what analysts describe as a "second wind" around the six-month mark. Still, even with this rebound, long-term success remains rare—because in crypto, the only thing rarer than