The world of cryptocurrency is evolving rapidly, and reliable evaluation frameworks are becoming increasingly important for investors navigating this dynamic market. One of the most influential voices in this space is Weiss Ratings, which made history earlier this year by becoming the first financial rating agency to issue independent ratings for digital assets. Their latest mid-year 2025 report has just been released, offering updated insights into the performance, technology, and investment potential of major cryptocurrencies.
Unlike traditional credit agencies, Weiss Ratings applies a comprehensive, data-driven methodology to assess digital currencies across multiple dimensions—providing clarity in an often opaque market. Their latest findings reveal notable shifts in rankings, with some projects making strong comebacks while others continue to struggle.
How Weiss Ratings Evaluates Cryptocurrencies
Weiss Ratings employs a sophisticated algorithm that analyzes each cryptocurrency across several key categories:
- Technology Performance
- Adoption & Market Penetration
- Investment Risk-Reward Profile
- Code Quality and Developer Activity
- Network Security and Decentralization
Each asset receives a letter grade ranging from A to F, with additional internal assessments for risk (rated from "Excellent" to "Very Weak") and return potential based on price trends and investor gains.
What sets Weiss apart is their balanced approach—they don’t just look at price movements or hype. Instead, they dive deep into technical fundamentals and real-world utility. For example, transaction speed, scalability, community engagement, and developer contributions all play crucial roles in determining final scores.
👉 Discover how top-rated cryptos are outperforming the market—see what’s driving long-term value.
The Lowest-Rated Cryptocurrencies: Projects Facing Challenges
At the bottom of the 2025 mid-year ranking sit several projects that have failed to gain traction or maintain trust within the crypto ecosystem. A rating of E– indicates severe weaknesses in both technology and adoption.
Among those receiving the lowest marks are:
- Expanse (EXP) – A decentralized platform built on Ethereum’s blockchain, launched in 2015. Despite early ambitions to support smart contracts and decentralized applications, it has seen minimal development activity and negligible user growth.
- Matchpool (GUP) – Marketed as a blockchain-based dating app where users earn tokens through successful matches. However, the project lost credibility after its founder stepped down amid allegations of misusing ICO funds.
- Quark (QRK) – A lesser-known decentralized digital currency system that has shown little innovation or adoption over time.
- SaluS (SLS) – Previously rated D in January 2025, SaluS dropped further due to lack of updates, declining network security, and near-zero developer engagement.
These projects serve as cautionary tales about the importance of sustained development, transparency, and real-world use cases in the competitive crypto landscape.
Mid-Tier Performers: Stable but Not Standout
Cryptocurrencies rated C+ or C fall into the average category—neither failing nor excelling. This group includes some well-known names that have maintained relevance despite challenges.
Bitcoin (BTC) remains at C+, reflecting its strong network security and widespread recognition but constrained by scalability issues and relatively slow innovation compared to newer platforms.
NEM (XEM) also holds a C+, a surprising resilience given the $530 million hack suffered by Japanese exchange CoinCheck earlier in the year. Weiss appears to value NEM’s underlying technology and enterprise-focused roadmap despite the security setback.
Ripple (XRP) slipped to C, impacted by ongoing legal disputes and regulatory scrutiny in multiple jurisdictions. Still, its partnerships with financial institutions keep it above average.
STEEM and Stellar (XLM) both earned C+, with Stellar benefiting from growing adoption in cross-border payments and remittance solutions.
Notably, TRON (TRX) achieved a C+, boosted by the successful launch of its mainnet and increased visibility after rumors surfaced about potential integration with major content platforms. The team's commitment to burning ERC-20 TRX tokens also signaled confidence in long-term value.
Top Performers: Leading the Pack with B+ Ratings
No cryptocurrency received an “A” rating—Weiss maintains high standards, and perfection remains elusive. But four projects achieved the highest score of B+, signaling strong fundamentals and promising futures.
Cardano (ADA)
Cardano continues to impress with its research-driven development model. After launching its testnet earlier in 2025 and integrating with major trading platforms like eToro, ADA saw increased investor interest and price momentum. Its peer-reviewed approach to blockchain design positions it as a serious contender in the smart contract space.
EOS
EOS earned its B+ following the successful migration to its mainnet in June. Despite early controversies around governance and block producer elections, Weiss acknowledges EOS’s high throughput, low-latency transactions, and growing dApp ecosystem. The platform's ability to handle complex decentralized applications without fees gives it a competitive edge.
👉 See how high-performing blockchains like EOS are shaping the future of decentralized apps.
Ethereum (ETH)
Ethereum upgraded from a B to a B+, driven largely by regulatory clarity. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission confirmed that ETH is not classified as a security, removing a major uncertainty for institutional investors. Combined with ongoing upgrades like Ethereum 2.0 and growing DeFi adoption, this decision reinforced Ethereum’s leadership in smart contract platforms.
NEO
NEO joins the top tier thanks to significant technical milestones. With the launch of its first independent network node, NEO advanced into a new phase of decentralization. Additionally, the release of its first decentralized exchange in April 2025 demonstrated practical utility and ecosystem maturity. Often dubbed “China’s Ethereum,” NEO is steadily building global relevance beyond regional boundaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why hasn't any cryptocurrency received an 'A' rating from Weiss?
A: Weiss Ratings maintains strict criteria for an 'A' grade, requiring excellence across technology, adoption, risk management, and return potential. No project has yet met all benchmarks simultaneously.
Q: Is Bitcoin underrated with a C+ rating?
A: While Bitcoin leads in security and brand recognition, its limited smart contract functionality and slower transaction speeds cap its score. Weiss evaluates based on innovation and versatility, not just market dominance.
Q: What does an E– rating mean for investors?
A: An E– suggests critical flaws in technology, governance, or adoption. These projects carry high risk and are generally not recommended for serious investment consideration.
Q: How often does Weiss update its cryptocurrency ratings?
A: Weiss publishes updated ratings semi-annually, with interim analyses released as needed following major events like hard forks, regulatory changes, or security breaches.
Q: Can a cryptocurrency improve its rating quickly?
A: Yes—ratings respond to measurable progress such as mainnet launches, improved decentralization, or rising developer activity. Projects like EOS and NEO show how rapid advancement can boost scores.
Q: Are Weiss Ratings biased toward newer blockchains?
A: No—the methodology is objective and metrics-based. Older networks like Bitcoin and Ethereum are assessed fairly alongside newer entrants using the same standards.
Cryptocurrency investors today need more than speculation—they need insight. Weiss Ratings fills that gap by delivering transparent, multi-dimensional evaluations that help separate hype from substance.
As the market matures, projects must deliver real innovation, security, and adoption to rise in rankings. The current leaders—Cardano, EOS, Ethereum, and NEO—demonstrate what it takes to excel: technical rigor, clear roadmaps, and growing ecosystems.
👉 Stay ahead of the next rating shift—track real-time data on top-performing digital assets.
Whether you're evaluating long-term holds or exploring emerging opportunities, understanding these ratings can guide smarter decisions in an unpredictable market.