Binance Report: Crypto ETFs Surge as Meme Coins Hit Record Numbers

Binance Research has revealed that 47 crypto ETF filings are currently active in the US, alongside a record surge in meme coin launches . The report highlights rapid growth in the crypto sector, with over 37 million tokens now in circulation, most of them on Solana. January 2025 saw the crypto market reach its highest value of the year, with strong gains in several areas. However, AI-related crypto projects struggled, particularly due to DeepSeek's impact. Binance Research, a division of the world’s largest crypto exchange, released its latest Monthly Market Insights report, emphasizing the explosion of new tokens. According to the report, the rise of token launchpads and meme coin hype has driven the number of tokens past 37 million, with projections expecting more than 100 million by year-end. While this trend has fueled speculation and trading activity, it has also led to capital being spread across numerous projects, making it harder for many tokens to maintain high values. Despite the enthusiasm around meme coins, the report also raised concerns. Binance noted that the rapid increase in these tokens is shifting focus away from traditional altcoins and reducing long-term investor commitment. The research pointed out that most of these newly launched coins have little real market value. However, the meme coin boom has had a major effect on decentralized exchanges ( DEXs ), particularly on Solana. The surge in meme coin trading helped Solana’s DEX volume grow significantly, pushing its trading ratio compared to Ethereum past 300% in January. Binance Research also examined the political shifts that followed Trump’s inauguration and their effect on the crypto industry. Following the resignation of SEC Chairman Gary Gensler , ETF applications soared. The report confirms that there are now 47 active ETF applications in the US, covering 16 different asset types , including meme coins. Overall, Binance concluded that January was a strong month for the crypto sector, except for AI-related tokens , which suffered major losses. DeepSeek’s actions caused a severe downturn in AI crypto projects, though the DeFAI sector managed to recover slightly by the end of the month, limiting its losses. While the AI market took a hit, the rest of the industry continued to show resilience and expansion.