By Blockchain.com Jun 3, 2025
May 2025 was an exciting month for the crypto market, with memecoins like SPX6900 and AI tokens leading impressive gains. Bitcoin reached a new all-time high above $110k, while Ethereum showed strong performance following its upgrade. Discover the top movers and key market trends with Blockchain.com.
May 2025 delivered one of the most eventful months for crypto so far this year. From Bitcoin’s historic breakout to the continued rise of AI tokens and memecoins, the market saw sharp moves across multiple categories — highlighting both speculative enthusiasm and renewed institutional interest.
While major altcoins followed the broader uptrend, certain sectors clearly stole the spotlight. Let’s review May’s biggest market stories and token performances.
📈 Bitcoin Hits New All-Time High
Bitcoin (BTC) surged past $110K in May, setting a new all-time high and reaffirming its position as the market leader. The rally was fueled by a mix of macroeconomic optimism, increased demand from institutional investors, and political headlines ahead of the U.S. elections. After months of sideways action, BTC’s decisive breakout added momentum to the entire market.
🤖 AI Tokens Continue to Lead
AI-related tokens maintained their lead as one of the hottest sectors in crypto. VIRTUAL posted an impressive +51.75% gain for the month, building on its strong April performance. The broader AI narrative remained fueled by investor appetite for projects combining artificial intelligence with blockchain-based applications — especially as Web3 projects explore new AI integrations in gaming, trading, and DeFi.
🐶 Memecoins Stage Another Rally
Memecoins saw another wave of gains, with several tokens posting double-digit increases. SPX6900 led this category with a +85.28% jump, followed by WIF (+51.02%) and PEPE (+42.83%). The sector benefited from renewed retail interest, viral social trends, and high-risk appetite in a rising market. Despite their speculative nature, memecoins once again proved their ability to capture attention during bullish cycles.
🔷 Ethereum Rebounds Ahead of Major Upgrade
Ethereum (ETH) delivered a strong month, gaining +42.59% and outperforming many large-cap altcoins. The price climbed to $2,784 on May 29 before closing the month at $2,529. The recovery was fueled by the successful implementation of the Pectra upgrade on May 7, which improved network scalability and enhanced the staking experience. A broader market rally and rising activity across DeFi protocols further supported ETH’s strong rebound after a difficult April.
📊 DeFi Sees Renewed Momentum
The DeFi sector also showed signs of revival in May. AAVE led the way with a +52.65% increase, driven by a spike in borrowing demand and yield opportunities. This renewed interest reflects a broader recovery in DeFi protocols, as users seek higher returns and alternative passive income options in an improving market.
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*Past performance is not a guarantee of future performance
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