These Were the 7 Largest Crypto Gainers in 2022

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2022 was one of the most challenging years in cryptocurrency history—second only to the 2018 bear market. Bitcoin and many major digital assets shed over 50% of their value from recent highs, and high-profile collapses like FTX shook investor confidence. Yet, amid widespread downturns, a select group of cryptocurrencies defied the odds, delivering impressive gains and showcasing resilience, innovation, and strong use cases.

Using data from CoinGecko, a leading crypto asset tracker, we highlight the seven best-performing cryptocurrencies of 2022—projects that not only survived the storm but thrived due to strategic developments, strong communities, or unique technological advancements.

1. Nest Protocol ($NEST) – +243%

Topping the list is Nest Protocol ($NEST), which surged an astonishing 243% in 2022. This decentralized oracle project outperformed nearly every other token despite the broader market slump.

The Nest Protocol powers a trustless price oracle system called NEST Oracle, which provides real-time, decentralized pricing data without relying on external sources. Unlike traditional oracles that pull data from centralized APIs, NEST generates price information on-chain through a decentralized consensus mechanism.

In addition to its oracle function, Nest Protocol features:

$NEST tokens are used for governance and incentivizing participants who contribute to price discovery. Its strong technical foundation and focus on decentralization attracted developers and traders alike during a year when trust in centralized platforms eroded.

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2. Trust Wallet ($TWT) – +129.5%

Trust Wallet ($TWT) saw its value rise by 129.5% in 2022, driven largely by growing demand for self-custody solutions following the FTX collapse.

When FTX imploded in November 2022, users rushed to move assets off centralized exchanges. In response, Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) publicly endorsed Trust Wallet as a secure, non-custodial option—sparking a surge in downloads and token demand.

As a Web3 wallet, Trust Wallet supports:

The $TWT token is used for governance and fee discounts within the ecosystem. Its integration with Binance’s ecosystem and growing utility helped solidify its position as a top gainer.

3. GMX ($GMX) – +113.9%

GMX, a decentralized perpetual futures exchange, delivered a remarkable 113.9% return in 2022. Built primarily on Arbitrum and BNB Smart Chain, GMX allows users to trade spot and perpetual contracts with up to 30x leverage, all without traditional order books.

Key features include:

GMX’s success stemmed from increasing demand for decentralized derivatives platforms as traders sought alternatives to centralized exchanges post-FTX. The protocol’s robust risk management and high yields for liquidity providers made it a standout DeFi project.

4. Shardus ($ULT) – +83.6%

Shardus ($ULT) climbed 83.6% in 2022 by addressing core limitations of early blockchain networks: scalability, decentralization, and efficiency.

Shardus is a decentralized ledger platform that uses compute and state sharding to achieve high throughput while maintaining security and decentralization. This allows it to scale horizontally—supporting millions of users without sacrificing performance.

Its technology enables:

$ULT serves as the native utility token, used for staking, governance, and network fees. With growing interest in scalable Layer 1 solutions, Shardus gained traction among developers and investors looking beyond Ethereum’s congestion issues.

5. PlatonCoin ($PLTC) – +60.8%

PlatonCoin ($PLTC) achieved a 60.8% gain in 2022 by combining digital currency with real-world utility and financial security.

Part of the Platon Life ecosystem, $PLTC is designed for everyday transactions, allowing users to:

One of its most distinctive features is the insured digital wallet, offering up to €1 million in theft protection, depending on membership tier. This blend of insurance, rewards, and spending utility created a unique value proposition during a time when security concerns were at an all-time high.

While less technically complex than some peers, PlatonCoin’s focus on user safety and practical adoption contributed to its strong performance.

6. SSV Network ($SSV) – +43.5%

The SSV Network ($SSV) rose 43.5% in 2022 by pioneering decentralized Ethereum staking infrastructure.

After Ethereum’s transition to proof-of-stake (PoS), the need for secure, distributed validator management grew. SSV Network answers this by enabling decentralized staking through key sharding.

Here’s how it works:

$SSV tokens are used for payments to node operators and governance voting. As institutional and retail interest in staking grows, SSV’s role as a foundational layer for decentralized staking infrastructure becomes increasingly critical.

7. Gains Network ($GNS) – +27.1%

Rounding out the list is Gains Network ($GNS), which delivered a solid 27.1% return in 2022.

Gains Network is a decentralized trading protocol that lets users take leveraged positions on asset prices—without paying funding fees. Instead of borrowing funds directly, traders interact with liquidity pools that absorb risk through sophisticated algorithms.

Notable advantages:

The protocol’s flexibility and low-cost trading model attracted active traders seeking alternatives to centralized platforms. Its growing suite of trading pairs also enhanced user choice across markets.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why did some cryptos rise in 2022 despite the bear market?
A: Several factors contributed—strong fundamentals, timely product launches, increased demand for self-custody or DeFi tools post-FTX, and real-world utility that attracted retail adoption.

Q: Is past performance a guarantee of future results?
A: No. While these tokens performed well in 2022, crypto markets are highly volatile. Always conduct thorough research before investing.

Q: What role did decentralization play in these gains?
A: Projects emphasizing decentralization—like NEST, GMX, and SSV—gained trust during a year when centralized failures dominated headlines. Users increasingly favored protocols they could control and verify independently.

Q: How can I track crypto performance like this?
A: Platforms like CoinGecko and CoinMarketCap provide historical data, market cap rankings, and price change metrics across timeframes.

Q: Were any of these projects linked to scams or controversies?
A: Based on public data from reputable trackers like CoinGecko, none of these projects were flagged for major controversies in 2022. However, ongoing due diligence is essential.

Q: Can I still invest in these tokens today?
A: Yes, most are available on major exchanges. Always assess current market conditions, project updates, and whitepapers before making decisions.

The crypto landscape in 2022 was defined by crisis—but also opportunity. While many assets faltered, these seven cryptocurrencies demonstrated that innovation, utility, and community trust can drive growth even in the toughest environments.

Whether through decentralized oracles, secure wallets, scalable ledgers, or advanced trading protocols, each of these projects addressed real needs in the evolving Web3 economy.

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