Crypto Projects' Hidden Struggle | Why Many Vanish in Six Months
Edited By
Alice Thompson
A growing concern among crypto marketers echoes through the industry: why do so many promising projects fail? A recent investigation into 847 projects reveals a shocking truth—lack of visibility is the main culprit, and many founders are overlooking this key factor.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Since January 2024, industry insiders have kept tabs on projects that have disappeared—often with impressive tech and experienced founders. The spreadsheet shows that common notions about project failures, such as bad tech and rug pulls, don’t hold up.
"Nobody can find them when it matters," reports a marketing expert tracking the data.
Exchange Listing: A Major Barrier
Insights from a reliable source inside a major exchange highlighted that they receive about 2,400 listing applications every month. However, the first step in their vetting process is simple:
They Google the project name.
If credible news sites like Yahoo Finance or CoinDesk appear, the project moves to tech review.
Projects that only link to forums or personal blogs get rejected within two minutes.
It’s a harsh reality. The story of a DeFi protocol illustrates this perfectly—despite extensive marketing efforts, which included $50K spent on crypto influencers and large community-building investments, the project failed to generate credible news coverage and consequently was rejected three times by Binance.
A Turning Point: Success Through Credibility
In contrast, another project launched the same month only spent $3K on press distribution and quickly got covered by major outlets. They followed up with an influencer budget of $20K, leading to an approved listing on Binance within about eight weeks. This stark difference underscores how projects need to focus on establishing credibility through media coverage rather than just social media impressions.
"When VCs and exchanges Google you, only the credible news articles count," says the marketing expert.
Voices from the Community
Comments on forums reveal mixed sentiments about these findings. While some argue visibility is critical, others believe it’s just a superficial layer covering deeper issues like poor financial management or inherent greed among project teams.
One commenter highlighted, "Most projects fail because they’re all after money. Just build the tech!" However, another user noted the divide in experiences:
"Not off base. Most projects die from failing the trust filter, not the tech filter."
Key Insights to Consider
Visibility Matters: Projects that gained news coverage in their early stages saw a 340% better chance of listing on major exchanges.
Serious Market Dynamics: 89% of projects with media presence secured funding, while 91% lacking coverage were dead by month six.
Funding Allocation Flaws: Many founders waste significant budgets on fleeting influencer posts rather than investing in lasting media presence; they spend 50% on influencers as opposed to just 5% on press.
Interestingly, this pattern holds across the 847 projects tracked, raising the question: How can new projects adapt to survive in this demanding crypto landscape?
With the 2026 market evolving, it seems the focus on traditional marketing approaches could be the determining factor in a project’s longevity.
Future Market Dynamics Tied to Visibility Trends
As the crypto landscape evolves in 2026, projects that prioritize visibility are likely to flourish, while those that ignore it face decline. There’s a strong chance that we’ll see a growing emphasis on media strategies as projects recognize the impact of credible news coverage on their success. Experts estimate that up to 75% of new projects will invest significantly in public relations to ensure robust media presence. This paradigm shift could lead to a realignment in funding strategies, where a heavier focus on credible media channels will separate those who adapt from those who do not.
Unearthing Historical Patterns in Pursuit of Credibility
Consider the 19th-century gold rush, where countless prospectors flocked to California with dreams of fortune. While many failed due to poor planning, some struck it rich not solely by finding gold, but through developing businesses to support miners—food, lodging, and equipment. In a similar vein, today's crypto projects that recognize the value of creating visibility and credibility may find that their fortunes don’t just come from the technology itself but from building a narrative that appeals to investors and exchanges alike, turning the spotlight on sustainable growth over fleeting trends.