What is a Dead Coin?

What is a Dead Coin?

Table of Contents

  • What is a Dead Coin?
  • How to Identify a Dead Coin
  • Types of Dead Coins
  • How to Avoid Projects That Might Become Dead Coins
  • Where Can You Find a List of Dead Crypto Coins?
  • Closing Thoughts


In recent times, dead coins have been becoming increasingly prevalent in the crypto world. In fact, there are over 1700 dead crypto coins. But what exactly are they? And how can you spot them?

This article explains what they are and how to identify them.

What are Dead Coins in Crypto?

Dead coins in the cryptocurrency world refer to digital currencies that are no longer actively traded or supported. They may have become obsolete, scam projects, or lost value over time

How do You Identify a Dead Coin?

A coin is considered "dead" if, in the past three months, its trading value is consistently below $1000. Moreover, when a cryptocurrency's official website is no longer accessible, it is also categorised as dead.

As we mentioned earlier, there are more than 1700 dead crypto coins, and this number continues to grow as new cryptocurrencies enter the market.

Dead coins have several distinct characteristics that serve as signs they are either dead or dying, and here are some of these signs:

1. No Official Live Websites: Dead coins often lack active and accessible official websites. This absence indicates that the development team or community behind the project has ceased maintaining it.

2. Abandoned or Delisted by Developers: When the developers of a cryptocurrency abandon or delist it from exchanges, it is a strong indicator that the project is no longer supported and progressing.

3. Negligible Trading Volumes: Many dead coins experience incredibly low trading volumes, often due to limited listings on reputable exchanges. Approximately 60% of projects suffer from low liquidity, which indicates a lack of utility or trader interest. It is estimated that six out of ten coins with minimal trading volumes are no longer supported by their developers. Platforms that track dead coins typically consider a cryptocurrency abandoned if it has traded less than $1,000 within a three-month period.

4. Insufficient Funding: Lack of funding or the inability to attract enough resources for development can lead to the demise of a project. About 3.6% of dead coins fall into this category. It's worth noting that failure to secure funding does not necessarily reflect the lack of utility or viability of a project; rather, it may be due to a lack of attractive profit potential for investors.

5. Zero or Little Social Media Presence: Observing a project's presence and activity on social media platforms is a valuable tool for identifying potential dead coins. Active projects tend to have a strong social media presence, regularly sharing updates and engaging with their community. A vibrant and engaged community, coupled with consistent progress updates, reflects a healthy project. Conversely, a lack of social media activity, minimal community interaction, stagnant development, or lack of transparency may signal trouble.

Types of Dead Coins

There are different types of dead coins, each with its own characteristics and reasons for their demise. Let's explore a few common types:

1. Joke Dead Coins: These coins were created without a specific use case in mind. They are often launched for fun or as a social experiment. While some joke coins, like Dogecoin, gained popularity, many others see little success.

Example: JesusCoin, CryptoMeth

2. Abandoned Dead Coins: This category encompasses coins that have been abandoned by their developers or lost traction for various reasons. Limited funding, lack of community support, or being delisted from exchanges can contribute to their abandonment.

Example: Lucky7Coin

3. Scam Dead Coins: Scam coins are fraudulent projects that deceive investors. They may involve schemes like pump-and-dump or massive pre-mining. Avoid projects where the development team holds a significant portion of the tokens to protect yourself from scam dead coins.

Example: Bitconnect

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How to Avoid Projects That Might Become Dead Coins

Avoiding projects that might become dead coins is crucial for protecting your investments. Here are some tips to help you make informed decisions:

1. Conduct Thorough Research: Before investing in any project, research extensively. Study the project's whitepaper, examine their team members' backgrounds, and understand their goals and technology. Look for evidence of a solid foundation and plan for long-term success.

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2. Judge and Understand the Use Case: Assess the real-world problem the project aims to solve and evaluate its potential for adoption. Ensure there is a genuine need for the project within the market and that it offers unique value compared to existing solutions.

3. Examine the Development Team: Check the credibility, experience, and track record of the project's development team. Look for experienced professionals with a strong background in the industry who are actively involved in the project and demonstrate a genuine commitment to its success.

4. Community Engagement: Evaluate the project's community engagement and the level of interaction between the team and the community. Healthy projects foster active communication, address concerns promptly, and provide regular updates. Active and supportive communities are indicators of a promising project.

5. Transparency and Credibility: Look for transparency in project details, including partnerships, funding, and roadmaps. Genuine projects are open about their progress, share realistic goals, and provide regular updates and reports.

6. Assess Token Economics: Evaluate the tokenomics, including the token distribution, utility, and potential for long-term value. Understand how the project plans to reward/encourage token holders and ensure there is a clear and sustainable economic model.

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7. Avoid Promises of Guaranteed Returns: Be cautious of projects that promise guaranteed returns, as cryptocurrency investments are highly volatile. Unrealistic promises might be a red flag for potential scams or dead coins.

Where Can You Find a List of Dead Crypto Coins?

If you're curious about deceased cryptocurrencies, you can find a list of them on websites like Coinopsy and 99Bitcoins.

These websites provide comprehensive information on cryptocurrencies that are considered "dead" or no longer active.

Closing Thoughts

Knowing that dead cryptocurrencies exist helps you make more informed decisions about where to invest your hard-earned money.

With the growing number of dead coins out there trying to appear as promising projects, it's essential always to do your due diligence.

It is advisable to conduct extensive background checks on the projects you're interested in, analyse the blockchain trading history, check if the currency is available on reputable exchanges like Obiex, and examine trading volumes.

FAQS

Q: What causes a cryptocurrency to become a Dead Coin?

A: Cryptocurrencies become dead coins when they are no longer actively traded, supported, or have lost value, often due to reasons like abandonment or obsolescence.

Q: Are all abandoned cryptocurrencies considered Dead Coins?

A: Not necessarily. While many abandoned cryptocurrencies may become dead coins, some may have occasional trading activity. Dead coins are typically characterized by consistently low trading values.

Q: Are all cryptocurrencies with low trading volumes considered Dead Coins?

A: Not all, but many cryptocurrencies with extremely low trading volumes are likely dead coins, as it often indicates a lack of interest and support.

Q: Can a cryptocurrency that was once dead be revived and regain value?

A: While it's possible for some cryptocurrencies to revive, it's challenging, and many remain in the "dead" state indefinitely.

Q: How can I distinguish between a Dead Coin and a low-cap, relatively unknown cryptocurrency?

A: Low-cap cryptocurrencies are typically those with limited market capitalization but may still have active development and trading. Dead coins, on the other hand, have often been abandoned or lost value significantly.

Q: What are some examples of dead crypto coins?

A: Examples of dead coins include JesusCoin, CryptoMeth, and Bitconnect, among others.

Q: Can Dead Coins still be traded on certain exchanges?

A: Yes, some exchanges may still allow trading of Dead Coins, but the trading volume is usually minimal, and it can be challenging to find buyers or sellers.

Q: Are there any legal actions taken against projects that create Dead Coins?

A: Legal actions may be taken against cryptocurrency projects that engage in fraudulent activities or scams. However, many Dead Coins simply fade away without facing legal consequences.

Q: Are there any warning signs to look for when a cryptocurrency might be on the verge of becoming a Dead Coin?

A: Warning signs include a diminishing community, a lack of updates from the development team, and dwindling trading volumes. It's crucial to pay attention to these indicators.


Disclaimer: This article was written by the writer to provide guidance and understanding of cryptocurrency trading. It is not an exhaustive article and should not be taken as financial advice. Obiex will not be held liable for your investment decisions.