New Cryptocurrency Trends to Watch: Meme Coins, AI Crypto, DeFi 2.0, Sustainable Crypto & Metaverse Projects

The crypto world is constantly changing, meaning new digital asset trends are emerging on a regular basis.

However, with so many trends to be aware of, it can be overwhelming for investors to know which are worth their attention.

This article will explore five new cryptocurrency trends to watch in the latter half of 2023 – highlighting the key players that may shape the future of the digital assets landscape

1. Meme Coins

The first trend to be aware of is meme coins, which are beloved by retail traders around the world.

As the cryptocurrency market continues to grow in size, meme coins have emerged as a surprising force.

These digital assets, inspired by internet culture and humor, offer a unique combination of viral marketing and community involvement.

Moreover, they also provide scope for exponential returns – as evidenced by meme coin legends like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu.

However, one of the newest meme coins currently making waves in the market is Wall Street Memes ($WSM).

Wall Street Memes is an emerging powerhouse in the meme coin world, riding the wave of the immense success of the Wall St Bulls NFT collection.

This community-driven project has rapidly gained attention, generating nearly $10 million during its ongoing presale phase.

At the heart of the project is $WSM, an ERC-20 token that embodies Wall Street Memes’ goal of rewarding its global “degen” community.

This community is growing rapidly, with thousands of people joining the official Telegram channel to learn more about the project.

With $WSM tokens still available to buy for just $0.0298, investors are rushing to grab a piece of the action before the presale concludes.

2. AI Crypto

Another emerging trend that looks poised to reshape the market is AI-powered cryptocurrencies.

Blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) form a powerful duo in the world of crypto, making AI-powered coins and tokens extremely valuable.

These cryptos leverage machine learning (ML) and other technologies to drive innovative functionalities that enhance their value.

As such, the intersection of blockchain and AI technologies looks to redefine the potential of decentralized networks.

yPredict ($YPRED) is at the forefront of this trend, aiming to democratize the crypto analytics sector by providing users with a suite of valuable tools and services.

Per yPredict’s whitepaper, the platform will feature a super-quick trading terminal, an analytics dashboard, and AI-powered trading signals to give traders the “edge” in the market.

Moreover, yPredict will allow users to subscribe to price prediction models created by the top 1% of AI developers and quants – something that’s usually reserved for institutional investors.

Underpinning these features is the $YPRED token, which offers holders various benefits, such as discounts on yPredict services and quarterly staking rewards.

Currently, the yPredict presale has already raised over $2.5 million – setting the foundation for a promising launch later this year.

As the next stage in the evolution of decentralized finance, DeFi 2.0 aims to address various issues that have plagued DeFi 1.0 since its inception.

These issues include a lack of scalability, poor transaction efficiency, and low levels of innovation.

Fortunately, several new DeFi 2.0 protocols are emerging, offering users more effective ways to maximize their cryptocurrency holdings.

DeFi 2.0 is also providing scope for exciting projects to come to the forefront of the market – with DeeLance ($DLANCE) being one of the standout performers in recent weeks.

DeeLance is a Web3-based freelancing and recruitment platform that looks to revolutionize how freelancers connect with potential clients.

The platform boasts NFT and metaverse integration, setting it apart from its centralized rivals, like Fiverr and LinkedIn.

All client-to-freelancer payments are handled using $DLANCE, DeeLance’s native token, which means freelancers can receive instant payouts.

Not only that, but this approach ensures that payment disputes aren’t a concern for those using the DeeLance platform.

Per the project’s whitepaper, DeeLance will also offer much lower fees than its recruitment sector rivals, thanks to the platform’s decentralized nature.

This setup has helped DeeLance raise over $1.3 million in funding during its presale phase – highlighting the growing anticipation among investors.

4. Sustainable Crypto

Another trend that’s now emerging in the digital assets space is sustainable cryptocurrencies.

As environmental concerns surrounding cryptocurrencies mount, sustainable coins and tokens are offering a viable solution.

These cryptos are designed to minimize energy consumption and encourage eco-friendly practices – paving the way for a greener blockchain sector.

One of the most prominent events in this area recently was Ethereum’s switch to a proof-of-stake (PoS) protocol, which reduced the network’s energy requirements by over 99%.

However, Ecoterra ($ECOTERRA) is also making waves in the sector as a dedicated sustainable cryptocurrency project.

Put simply, Ecoterra is a blockchain-based ecosystem that aims to make a tangible impact in the battle against climate change.

The ecosystem is centered around the groundbreaking Recycle2Earn app, which allows users to earn $ECOTERRA tokens for recycling items such as glass, plastic, and cardboard.

However, Ecoterra’s ecosystem will also feature a carbon offset marketplace, a recycled materials marketplace for businesses, and a public “Impact Profile” for all users.

Ecoterra’s ongoing presale has garnered tremendous attention, with over $5.2 million invested in $ECOTERRA tokens since it commenced.

Not only that, but more than 15,000 people now follow the project’s official Twitter account – signifying growing interest in this innovative (and sustainable) crypto.

Finally, metaverse projects are also experiencing a comeback after the space saw a sharp downturn in interest throughout 2022.

The metaverse is the latest frontier in crypto, providing virtual spaces where users can interact in a way that mimics the real world.

Cryptocurrencies linked to metaverse projects offer unique growth opportunities, given that a report from McKinsey estimated these projects could generate up to $5 trillion in value by 2030.

One of the most prominent cryptos that’s directly linked to metaverse concepts is The Sandbox ($SAND).

This decentralized virtual world, built on the Ethereum blockchain, allows users to create, control, and sell in-world items.

All in-world transactions are made using $SAND – The Sandbox’s native token.

Alongside this element, users can also own and rent plots of virtual land, handily called $LAND, which are structured as NFTs.

Overall, The Sandbox is one of the pioneers of metaverse-based cryptocurrencies – and looks likely to lead the charge as the metaverse trend picks up steam.