July 2025 was a huge month for crypto. Bitcoin smashed its all-time high, setting the tone for a wave of bullish energy across the market.
And while BTC grabbed most of the headlines, several altcoins also made significant moves — thanks to fresh hype and growing investor interest. If you’re wondering which crypto will explode this month, here are the top crypto gainers worth watching.
Summary
- PENGU soared nearly 290% thanks to NFT sales growth and social media buzz.
- CFX jumped 170% fueled by anticipation for its 3.0 upgrade and involvement in a China-backed stablecoin project.
- BONK surged over 140% after a massive token burn and rising trading volume boosted scarcity and interest.
- ENA rose about 105%, helped by a major exchange listing, whale accumulation, and corporate backing.
- CRV climbed 85% following its V3 upgrade, strengthening its DeFi ecosystem presence.
Top 5 cryptos in July 2025
In this roundup, we’ve highlighted the top cryptocurrencies with the biggest price gains over the past 30 days, based on CoinMarketCap data as of July 25. So, which were the best cryptos this month? Let’s take a look.
Pudgy penguins
Pudgy Penguins (PENGU) had an eye-catching performance in July 2025, soaring nearly 290% in value and cementing its spot among the top meme coins this month.
The surge followed a spike in Pudgy Penguins NFT sales and a wave of renewed hype across social media. A strong push in trading volume, paired with increased whale accumulation, signaled rising investor confidence.
On-chain activity also hinted at bullish momentum, with speculation growing around new brand partnerships and ecosystem expansion. As meme coins made a comeback in July, PENGU stood out not just for price action, but for its strong cultural and community appeal.
Conflux
In July 2025, Conflux (CFX) jumped around 170%, making it one of the month’s top-performing altcoins.
The surge came as excitement built around the upcoming Conflux 3.0 upgrade, set for August, which promises faster transaction speeds (up to 15,000 TPS) and native integration of on-chain AI agents — a big step forward for its Web3 ambitions.
Momentum also grew after news broke of Conflux’s role in a China-backed offshore RMB stablecoin tied to the Belt and Road initiative, giving the project institutional credibility and geopolitical weight.
Add in a massive spike in trading volume and market cap, and it’s clear why CFX drew serious attention from investors throughout July.
Bonk
In July, Bonk (BONK), a popular meme coin built on the Solana blockchain, surged over 140%, becoming the second meme coin featured in our top gainers this month.
Several key catalysts fueled this impressive growth:
- Massive token burn: The community burned one trillion BONK tokens, significantly reducing the circulating supply and boosting scarcity.
- Rising trading volume: Trading activity jumped sharply, reflecting growing interest from both retail and institutional investors.
- Strong technical momentum: BONK broke through important resistance levels, signaling a solid upward trend.
- Active community and Solana ecosystem: Bonk’s vibrant and engaged community, along with its deep integration into Solana (SOL), helped maintain momentum and investor confidence.
Together, these factors made BONK one of the standout performers among meme coins in July.
Ethena
In July 2025, Ethena (ENA) saw its price rise by about 105% over the past 30 days, making it one of the notable gainers this month.
Several factors likely contributed to this impressive pump:
- Upbit listing: ENA was listed on Upbit, South Korea’s largest exchange, on July 11, attracting a fresh wave of buyers and boosting liquidity.
- Whale accumulation: There are reports of major investors steadily accumulating ENA, signaling growing confidence from big players.
- Corporate backing: StablecoinX announced plans to become the first publicly traded company to hold Ethena in its treasury, which adds institutional credibility.
- Bitcoin’s surge: Bitcoin (BTC) hitting $123K this month helped lift the entire crypto market, benefiting projects like ENA.
With all this momentum, analysts are keeping a close eye on Ethena’s outlook for the rest of 2025.
Curve DAO Token
In July, Curve DAO Token (CRV) surged over 85%, marking a strong comeback in the DeFi sector.
This growth was fueled by the recent launch of Curve’s V3 upgrade, which enhanced trading efficiency and reduced gas fees, attracting more liquidity providers.
Additionally, Curve’s expanding partnerships with major stablecoin projects boosted its ecosystem’s appeal. The overall bullish crypto market, led by Bitcoin’s record highs, also played a key role in lifting CRV’s price.
Together, these factors positioned Curve DAO Token as one of the leading DeFi assets in July.
July recap: trends and opportunities
July 2025 was a big one for altcoins — some gained on real tech upgrades, others took off thanks to pure hype. Either way, the list of top crypto gainers this month shows just how unpredictable (and exciting) the market still is. From meme coins to DeFi giants, there was something for every kind of investor.
Looking ahead to August, the market’s still buzzing. Volatility is high, but so is the potential. Whether you’re chasing the next breakout or just watching the trends, one thing’s clear: crypto isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
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