Top Crypto Gainers of the Month – July 2025 Recap

Author: Jaffar Hashmi – Fintech Analyst & Digital Asset Researcher

Period Covered: July 1 – July 31, 2025

As July 2025 comes to a close, the crypto market has once again delivered dramatic moves, with certain altcoins soaring to new highs. While major players like Bitcoin and Ethereum continued their steady climb, it was the lesser-known tokens, especially meme coins and DeFi assets, that stole the spotlight this month. Let’s take a look at the top crypto gainers of July 2025 and explore the key factors driving their impressive performance.

Market Overview: A Bullish Month

• Bitcoin (BTC) saw a modest gain of around 12%, trading near $115,000–$118,000 by month-end.

• Ethereum (ETH) outperformed BTC significantly, ending the month with a massive 60% surge, thanks to growing DeFi and L2 adoption.

But the real action happened among the altcoins. With increased investor appetite for high-risk/high-reward assets, several altcoins posted triple-digit gains, driven by ecosystem upgrades, exchange listings, and viral hype.

Top 5 Gainers – July 2025

1. Pudgy Penguins (PENGU) +290%

• Catalyst: Explosive NFT demand, viral social media campaigns, and celebrity endorsements.

• Highlight: PENGU became the #1 trending meme coin on Twitter and TikTok.

• Investor Takeaway: A classic example of community-driven momentum mixed with NFT market speculation.

2. Conflux (CFX) +170%

• Catalyst: Launch of Conflux 3.0 with 15,000+ TPS capacity and support for AI-based dApps.

• Highlight: Strategic partnership with Chinese digital RMB initiatives.

• Investor Takeaway: Strong narrative around real-world adoption and tech advancement.

3. Bonk (BONK) +140%

• Catalyst: Large-scale token burns and expansion of BONK’s use across Solana-based DEXes and NFT platforms.

• Highlight: Backed by a passionate community and rapid DeFi integrations.

• Investor Takeaway: Meme coin with actual utility is proving to be more than just hype.

4. Ethena (ENA) +105%

• Catalyst: Major listing on Upbit and increased whale accumulation.

• Highlight: Enhanced utility with new staking features and smart treasury mechanisms.

• Investor Takeaway: Growing appeal in both Asian and U.S. markets.

5. Curve DAO Token (CRV) +85%

• Catalyst: V3 launch and expanded integrations with stablecoin ecosystems.

• Highlight: Fee reduction and more liquidity options on DEXes.

• Investor Takeaway: DeFi blue-chip regaining momentum as yields and TVL rise.

Bonus Movers

• Epic Chain (EPIC): +155% Underdog project with signs of whale accumulation.

• Mango Network (MGO): +128% Bullish technical breakouts and community growth.

• ZORA: +90% 3x jump in volume amid creative protocol innovations.

Macro Factors Supporting Growth

1. Regulatory Breakthroughs in the U.S.

   • Key legislation passed: GENIUS Act, CLARITY Act, and CRYPTOAID creating a more defined framework for exchanges and tokens.

2. Institutional Momentum

   • BlackRock, Fidelity, and JP Morgan showed increasing interest in crypto-backed products and stablecoin initiatives.

3. Memecoin Mania Continues

• Viral tokens like PENGU and BONK prove again that internet culture plays a powerful role in driving market sentiment.

Conclusion

July 2025 confirmed two major truths in the crypto world:

• Narrative and community matter as much as utility.

• Altcoins remain the high-reward zone, especially during bullish waves driven by macro shifts and media buzz.

Whether you're a long-term HODLer or a swing trader, staying updated with emerging trends like meme coins with utility, high-throughput L1s, and AI-integrated chains will give you a clear edge.

August promises even more action with new token launches, DeFi 2.0 updates, and cross-chain bridges gaining traction.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the author's opinion and is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice.