7 Tips you can do as a crypto project in bad markets

The 2025 crypto market isn’t exactly pumping right now.
Prices are shaky. Hype sounds like an echo in a haunted tunnel. And for many web3 projects, it’s tempting to wait things out until the next bull run shows up.

How to Survive a Bear Crypto Market

The truth is, some of the best projects in Web3 were built during market downturns. And I bet your competitors are doing things behind the scenes.

Why? Because quieter markets give builders room to think long-term, experiment, and get their foundations right.

So if you're feeling stuck or stalled, and don't want to launch a coin during poor market conditions, here are 7 genuinely useful things on what to do when the bear market eats your profits...

1. Explore New Blockchains

If gas fees are eating your dev budget or you're stuck in a network with low activity, now's the time to experiment. Consider something different like Kaia or Flare, maybe move over to non-EVM like Solana.

Many chains are actively funding and supporting early-stage projects right now (think of QuickLaunch funding projects on Polygon for example).

A chain switch (or multi-chain expansion) could open the door to faster tech, fresh communities, and better incentive programs. It's probably where your devs are looking next.

2. Launch a Testnet Token

You don’t need to wait for mainnet to start learning or trying new things.

Testnet launches are completely free, offer a low-stakes way to simulate your tokenomics or launch, and help iron out bugs before users are holding real value.

Pair it with testnet tasks and quests. You’ll get early community feedback, uncover UX issues, and start forming a loyal user base before you’ve even minted a single real token.

3. Build Your Landing Page & Marketing Funnel

Most token projects rush their site just before launch - and it shows.

Use the quiet market time to do it right:

• Map out your user journey.
• Craft a killer value proposition.
• Set up a clean, fast-loading landing page with one job: convert visitors into testers, supporters, or future investors.

Treat your website like a product, not a placeholder.

When was the last time you looked at Google Analytics instead of Blockchain data?

4. Write (or Rewrite) Your Marketing Materials

Whether it’s a pitch deck, docs guide pages, whitepaper, or blog - if it’s customer-facing, it should be clear, relevant, and easy to understand.

Now is the perfect time to simplify your language (especially making it less "dev speak"), tighten your messaging, and make sure everything you put out speaks to both Web3 natives and the curious newcomers.

Bonus points: prepare content in advance so you’re ready when the market heats back up. That's what we do!

5. Run a Closed Beta or Early Access Program

You don’t need 10,000 users. You need 50 honest ones.

Invite a small group of real testers to try out your dApp or platform. Get feedback. Make improvements. Build that inner circle of early users who’ll champion your product once you launch for real.

Even better - reward them with future perks, OG roles, or first dibs on your token.

Tools like HotJar can offer free testimonials, survey, and feedback submissions - use it!

6. Automate the Boring Stuff

I'm also a data analyst, so this stuff isn't quite so boring for me, but some of you just fell asleep, so...

Set up the infrastructure that saves you time later:

• Email onboarding flows
• Telegram/Discord bots for support
• Analytics dashboards (Dune.com anyone?)
• Smart contract monitors
• CRM integrations for investors or partners (your BD team will love you)

Getting these in place now means fewer headaches when you’re scaling later.

7. Strengthen Your Brand (Before Everyone’s Looking)

Now’s the time to polish your tone, visual identity, and brand messaging. Define how you talk about your project. Tighten up your social bios. Build your blog archive. Start showing consistency in how you present yourself. Did you all get fancy email addresses and forget to create a killer signature?

You don’t need to be everywhere - just make sure wherever you are, it looks like you know what you’re doing.

Final Thoughts

Markets go up. Markets go down. But momentum is something you can build in any environment.

As a marketer, I can attest first hand to the pain of a quiet season - but resilience, team morale, and coming together to work on dedicated projects will help when the time is right.

Use this time wisely. Sharpen your product, get your message right, and plant the seeds. If you do this, you'll be miles ahead of the competition.

If you want help turning these ideas into action (like creating a launch landing page or running a testnet campaign), we do all that for you too, let's chat!