Messari: encryption industry 2024 annual protocol and figure list

Author: Messari, Source: Messari crypto thesis 2025; Translation: 0xjs@Jinse Finance

To celebrate a glorious year in the cryptocurrency field, we have launched the first annual Messari Awards. In this section, we focus on some of the best protocols and figures in each category based on their contributions to the cryptocurrency in 2024. All results are voted on by the Messari team.

Best Newcomer of the Year

Our annual Best Newcomer Award goes to the most innovative cryptocurrency protocol of the year.

pump.fun was launched in January 2024, quickly making waves in the cryptocurrency world. The launchpad is now the highest-revenue launchpad on Solana, with increasing trading volume. Without pump.fun, we wouldn't have had GOAT, PNUT, FART, ZEREBRO, MOODENG, and many other tokens we love this year. It's safe to say that this app has forever changed the token launch game, and we are excited to see what pump has in store for us as it enters its second year. Pump.fun is Messari's Best Newcomer of 2024.

Annual Layer1

Annual L1 awarded to the best-performing L1 in 2024.

2024 is the year of Solana. Driven by a vibrant community of users and applications, the Solana network delivered lightning-fast performance and low transaction costs under high activity loads in 2024. The emergence of memecoin culture on Solana has sparked a thriving new crypto space, showcasing the network's inherent strengths. With Solana's metrics continuing to grow exponentially, it has set the standard for the look and feel of modern L1 blockchains. Congratulations to Solana for winning Messari's annual L1 award.

Annual DeFi Protocol

The annual DeFi Protocol Award is presented to the best performing DeFi application in 2024.

Hyperliquid's order book is redefining the boundaries of on-chain possibilities. With the continuous growth of trading volume, open interest contracts, and user adoption rate, the protocol is becoming one of the key leaders in the battle for DeFi's share of centralized exchanges. Looking ahead to 2025, we are eager to see the continued development of the L1 ecosystem.

Annual DePIN Protocol

The DePIN Protocol Award of the Year was given to the best-performing DePIN Protocol in 2024.

Helium has redefined the DePIN landscape, proving that cryptocurrency can drive real-world value and utility. Since its launch in December 2023, Helium Mobile has seen its user base surge to over 120,000 people, offering the most affordable unlimited data plan on the market for just $20 per month. In addition, Helium's groundbreaking operator program averages support for 250,000-300,000 users per day for some of the largest mobile operators in the United States, demonstrating its ability to completely change connectivity infrastructure. With its innovation, influence, and ability to connect cryptocurrency to the "real world", Helium is named the 2024 DePIN.

Annual Best Consumer App

The Best Consumer App of the Year award is given to the best performing consumer app of 2024.

Polymarket has proven that on-chain prediction markets will exist for the long term, registering nearly 1 million new accounts in the midst of this year's election. In terms of demand, users have poured billions of dollars into the election markets, catching up with off-chain prediction markets. At the same time, the real-time election result probabilities generated by Polymarket are widely cited by mainstream media and have become a major source of objective news. For anyone looking to bet on the election or simply understand the situation, Polymarket is the preferred destination.

Annual Memecoin

The annual memecoin award goes to the memecoin with the best performance in 2024.

Although GOAT is not the biggest memecoin of the year, it is likely the most influential. Its incredible legends, integration with artificial intelligence, and impact on one of the most exciting new metadata in cryptocurrency have attracted everyone's attention. If AI agents and their respective memecoins continue to capture people's attention in 2025, GOAT will forever be cemented as the pioneer of it all.

Best Account of the Year

Our annual X Account Award goes to the best-performing Crypto Twitter (CT) member in 2024.

This is a fiercely competitive award, but in the end, only the AI agent can stand out. @aixbt_agent increased the number of followers on its account to over 100,000 in less than a month, while consistently ranking at the top of Kaito's influence rankings. This tireless analyzer, constant responder, and continuously growing alpha pool are quickly becoming a must-see focus for anyone on CT.

Annual Most Active Fund

The Annual Most Active Fund Award is presented to the venture capital fund that completes the most transactions in 2024.

Animoca Brands leads with 107 transactions this year. While Animoca typically focuses on consumers and games, over time its portfolio has diversified, investing in various categories including DePIN and AI.

Annual Rebound Token

The Rebound Coin of the Year award goes to the token that experienced the most unexpected price reversal in 2024.

After facing endless FUD in the previous years, SOL has achieved an amazing transformation in 2024, with its token price experiencing one of the most dramatic reversals in market history. The token has set a new all-time high at the end of this year and is currently among the top 5 most valuable tokens in the cryptocurrency field.

Annual Investment Fund Blog

The Annual Investment Fund Blog Award is awarded to the best content published in 2024 by a liquidity fund or VC blog.

Syncracy Capital's content this year is excellent, providing a wealth of knowledge on various topics. We particularly appreciate their blog's contrarian and forward-looking viewpoints, challenging existing perspectives and proposing new frameworks. From driving the market to pay less attention to infrastructure and focus more on applications, to constantly defining Solana's narrative, Syncracy Capital is driving critical conversations across the entire industry.

Annual Independent Analyst

The Analyst of the Year award is presented to the independent analyst who delivers the best content in 2024.

In 2024, Kel, as an independent analyst, has shown great insights. His posts about memecoin super cycles and recent substack articles are among the best free content in the field.

Annual Person of the Year

The Person of the Year award is given to the most influential individual in the cryptocurrency field in 2024.

Michael Saylor needs no introduction. From doubling down on Bitcoin investments with MicroStrategy to delivering witty remarks about our future plans, Michael Saylor ensures that everyone knows where he stands. His unwavering belief in Bitcoin and tireless advocacy make him an undeniable force in the field, albeit a polarizing one. This may well be his best year ever, and he certainly deserves to celebrate the victory. There's no one quite like him.