What is a ghost chain? How to spot dead or dormant crypto projects
Common warning signs include stagnant developer activity, low transaction volume, inactive communities, and exchange delistings.
Even well-funded or corporate-backed projects like Diem, KodakCoin, and Luna can fail if adoption and ecosystem growth stall.
Investors and developers can avoid ghost chains by monitoring onchain activity, GitHub commits, token liquidity, and community health before committing resources.
A ghost chain refers to a blockchain that, while technically still running, has been abandoned by its developers and community. These are sometimes called dead blockchain networks or dormant crypto projects.
While the chain may once have had momentum or hype, over time, developer activity stalls, user engagement drops and transaction volume plummets. Gradually, signs of failure become noticeable: no recent updates, diminished user activity and minimal real-world utility. Seemingly, they may often be operational and active on the surface, but are devoid of any useful activity and appear to be fading into obscurity.
Essentially, it's a blockchain that is technically alive but functionally dead. The rise of ghost chains stems from several overlapping factors. Often, the original developers or teams stop contributing, leaving repositories untouched for months. Eventually, the core development team ceases communication, roadmap updates stop and users migrate to more active ecosystems. Communities diminish and liquidity dries up.
In time, the network becomes a ghost chain, disconnected from the vibrant user base it once hoped to attract. From once-promising Ethereum killers to obscure layer 1s, the crypto landscape is dotted with examples of such projects that lost steam after initial hype. Whether due to a lack of utility, community or funding, these chains now drift in the blockchain graveyard. Spotting the warning signs can help avoid being caught in a 'digital ghost town.'
Did you know: In June 2024, Binance delisted WAVES, OMG Network (OMG), NEM (XEM), and Wrapped NXM (WNXM) due to low trading volume, weak liquidity and limited development activity, all symptomatic signs of chains drifting toward ghost status. Common traits of a ghost chain
Not every declining blockchain qualifies as a ghost chain. However, several recurring indicators can help identify a project on the brink of irrelevance. These are the key signs of a failed project (or on its way to becoming one): Diminished developer activity: A lack of recent code commits, version releases or updates.
A lack of recent code commits, version releases or updates. Inactive communities: Forums and social platforms show minimal or no engagement.
Forums and social platforms show minimal or no engagement. Broken or outdated websites: Project information is stale and documentation is incomplete.
Project information is stale and documentation is incomplete. Low onchain transaction volume: Only a handful of transactions occur daily, often automated or internal.
Only a handful of transactions occur daily, often automated or internal. Exchange delistings and low trading volume: The native token of the chain may be delisted or exhibit extremely thin liquidity.
These red flags often appear together in dormant crypto projects, where the utility of the token is questionable and user trust is eroded. How to investigate and identify ghost chains?
To protect time, capital and resources, it is essential to proactively assess any blockchain before engagement. The table below lists some important questions that you must ask before engaging with a blockchain:
Examine transaction data : Use public blockchain explorers to assess how frequently blocks are being produced and if users are actually sending transactions. If block explorers show minimal daily transactions or wallet activity, that's a big warning sign. Some chains process only a handful of transactions per day, with most blocks nearly empty.
: Use public blockchain explorers to assess how frequently blocks are being produced and if users are actually sending transactions. If block explorers show minimal daily transactions or wallet activity, that's a big warning sign. Some chains process only a handful of transactions per day, with most blocks nearly empty. Check DApp activity : A thriving chain will have decentralized apps, DeFi protocols, NFT marketplaces and other smart contracts in use. If the ecosystem is barren, chances are it's not attracting builders or users and is on its way to decline.
: A thriving chain will have decentralized apps, DeFi protocols, NFT marketplaces and other smart contracts in use. If the ecosystem is barren, chances are it's not attracting builders or users and is on its way to decline. Assess GitHub or repository updates : Check the project's GitHub to see if developers are still committing code and fixing bugs. If the last meaningful commit was six months before, then that may be a red flag and require further probing.
: Check the project's GitHub to see if developers are still committing code and fixing bugs. If the last meaningful commit was six months before, then that may be a red flag and require further probing. Monitor social media and communication channels : Look for AMA sessions, dev updates or community-driven content. Telegram groups with no moderators, Discord with more bot spamming than users or X accounts that haven't posted in months — these are all signs of failed chains. If the community feels deserted, it probably is and is an important and easy red flag to notice.
: Look for AMA sessions, dev updates or community-driven content. Telegram groups with no moderators, Discord with more bot spamming than users or X accounts that haven't posted in months — these are all signs of failed chains. If the community feels deserted, it probably is and is an important and easy red flag to notice. Review token performance : A plummeting token price with negligible trade volume often reflects broader abandonment. While price alone doesn't determine success, a token that consistently declines with no trading volume or liquidity is a problem.
: A plummeting token price with negligible trade volume often reflects broader abandonment. While price alone doesn't determine success, a token that consistently declines with no trading volume or liquidity is a problem. Crypto events: Check for any active participation and presence of the chain in recent crypto events such as a booth, speaker discussion, meetups, etc. Consistent lack of the team to showcase its offerings is a sign of decline.
Keep in mind that overpromising and weak or no delivery to match the initial hype is something to look for. 'The fastest chain,' 'Solana killer,' or '100,000 TPS' are some extravagant promises often made in the blockchain ecosystem but rarely delivered. If the roadmap is outdated and no updates are forthcoming, it might be time to move on.
Did you know: Feathercoin, launched in 2013 by Peter Bushnell, the head of IT at Oxford University's Brasenose College, as a faster Litecoin alternative, garnered initial interest but largely became a ghost chain amid stiff competition and its own dwindling development, leading to an overall decline in interest. Ghost chain examples: Projects that lost momentum
Several blockchain projects, once praised for innovation, have become ghost chain examples due to declining usage and visibility:
While each project failed for different reasons, the common thread is clear: Without active ecosystems and sustained developer engagement, even the most well-funded blockchains can fade into obscurity.
Did you know: Diem, Facebook's ambitious blockchain project formerly known as Libra, raised over $1.3 billion and secured backing from major firms like Visa and PayPal, yet it was abandoned in 2022 after intense regulatory pressure, making it one of the most high-profile corporate dead projects in crypto history. Risks and consequences of ghost chains
The collapse or stagnation of blockchain networks has wider implications. These dead blockchain projects contribute to digital clutter networks running with no users, consuming resources and creating confusion for investors and developers.
Major consequences include: Loss of investor capital due to token devaluation.
Wasted development time and infrastructure.
Decreased trust in newer blockchain initiatives.
Beyond financial loss, ghost chains pose security risks. Abandoned domains, download links and legacy wallets can become phishing traps. Fraudsters may repurpose old smart contracts or resurrect historical data to deploy malicious code, deceiving users who reconnect with the chain expecting legitimacy.
It's important to note that not all inactive crypto blockchains are permanently doomed. Some may see a revival with renewed community support, updates or rebranding. But this is an exception and not the norm.
In the next bull cycle, new blockchains will rise, but only a few will stick. Knowing how to differentiate between a vibrant protocol and a ghost chain is one of the most valuable skills in the space today. Stay sharp, stay skeptical and always do your own research.
Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/what-is-a-ghost-chain-how-to-spot-dead-crypto-projects
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Crypto Insight
an hour ago
- Crypto Insight
How to book a flight with crypto in the UAE: Step-by-step guide
Airlines and travel agencies, including Emirates, Air Arabia, Travala and Alternative Airlines, now support cryptocurrency payments for bookings, targeting tech-savvy travelers and digital nomads. Travelers can pay with Bitcoin, Ether, stablecoins and other digital assets via checkout or gift cards, depending on the platform. The UAE's initiatives, such as Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), could help expand crypto-powered services like flight tickets and loyalty programs. Travelers should monitor exchange rates, choose regulated platforms and maintain transaction records for a smooth booking experience. The United Arab Emirates has emerged as a torchbearer in cryptocurrency adoption, with travel being the latest sector to embrace this trend. In July 2025, Emirates signed an agreement with to allow passengers to pay for flights and in-flight purchases using cryptocurrencies. The move reflects the UAE's efforts to attract tech-savvy tourists, digital nomads and residents who value secure and flexible payment options. As more travelers choose to pay with digital currencies, integration of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ether, Tether, USDt and more. This article briefs you about platforms enabling you to purchase crypto flight bookings. It explains the step-by-step process to make these bookings and provides tips for making an optimum deal. Platforms in the UAE that accept flight bookings The UAE has set up an advanced financial ecosystem with regulations supporting crypto. The aviation and travel industries are also part of this trend, and you can book flights with cryptocurrency with several airlines and travel agencies. Here is a review of key platforms and agencies accepting cryptocurrencies with flight bookings, comparing their fees, supported digital currencies and overall user experience. Emirates Airlines Overview: Emirates, the UAE's flagship airline, has collaborated with to enable cryptocurrency payments through Pay, scheduled to launch in 2026. Emirates, the UAE's flagship airline, has collaborated with to enable cryptocurrency payments through Pay, scheduled to launch in 2026. Supported cryptocurrencies: BTC, ETH, Cronos and stablecoins like USDT and USDC, with plans to support over 30 currencies. BTC, ETH, Cronos and stablecoins like USDT and USDC, with plans to support over 30 currencies. Availability: Payments will cover flights and extra services across Emirates' routes, such as upgrades and duty-free items. Air Arabia Overview: Air Arabia, a Dubai-listed budget airline, accepts AE Coin, a dirham-backed stablecoin, for bookings. Using one stablecoin simplifies payments for local users familiar with digital AED. Air Arabia, a Dubai-listed budget airline, accepts AE Coin, a dirham-backed stablecoin, for bookings. Using one stablecoin simplifies payments for local users familiar with digital AED. Supported cryptocurrencies: AE Coin only; AE Coin is a stablecoin issued by AED Stablecoin. AE Coin only; AE Coin is a stablecoin issued by AED Stablecoin. Availability: Bookings are available across Air Arabia's Middle East, North Africa and Asia networks. Did you know? In 2014, Latvian airline airBaltic became the world's first airline to accept Bitcoin for flight bookings. This move paved the way for global carriers like Emirates and platforms such as Travala to integrate cryptocurrency payments. Travala Overview: A blockchain-based booking platform covering flights, hotels and experiences, popular in the UAE for its extensive crypto support. A blockchain-based booking platform covering flights, hotels and experiences, popular in the UAE for its extensive crypto support. Supported cryptocurrencies: BTC, ETH, USDT, USDC, BNB and AVA (Travala's token). BTC, ETH, USDT, USDC, BNB and AVA (Travala's token). Availability: Global travel services. Alternative Airlines Overview: This online travel agency allows bookings with over 650 airlines, including Emirates and Etihad, and is a favorite among crypto users. This online travel agency allows bookings with over 650 airlines, including Emirates and Etihad, and is a favorite among crypto users. Supported cryptocurrencies: BTC, ETH, XRP, Litecoin, Cardano, Dogecoin, USDT and more. BTC, ETH, XRP, Litecoin, Cardano, Dogecoin, USDT and more. Availability: Offers global bookings, including those of UAE-based airlines. Destinia Overview: A worldwide travel agency supporting crypto for flights, hotels and car rentals, offering flexible payment options for UAE travelers. A worldwide travel agency supporting crypto for flights, hotels and car rentals, offering flexible payment options for UAE travelers. Supported cryptocurrencies: BTC, ETH, USDT and other major cryptocurrencies. BTC, ETH, USDT and other major cryptocurrencies. Availability: Global bookings, including UAE-based airlines. How to make a crypto payment for booking a flight Airlines in the UAE don't take direct crypto payments; instead, they collaborate with a crypto service provider to facilitate crypto payments for them. You can make a crypto payment via the checkout or a gift card. Via checkout: To use cryptocurrency at checkout, choose the crypto payment option on the booking platform. This method is simple, secure and supported by many travel agencies and airlines. To use cryptocurrency at checkout, choose the crypto payment option on the booking platform. This method is simple, secure and supported by many travel agencies and airlines. Via gift card: Some platforms allow indirect crypto payments through digital gift cards. Purchase a travel gift card and apply the gift card balance to your booking as a payment code or credit. Did you know? Travala reported a 46% increase in crypto bookings from January 2023 to January 2024. This surge reflects a growing demand among travelers seeking flexible, borderless payment options while bypassing hefty credit card fees and traditional banking hurdles. Step-by-step guide for booking a flight via checkout with crypto payment Here is a guide on how to book a flight via checkout with crypto payment. The guide uses Travala for illustrative purposes. Step 1) Choose a crypto-friendly travel platform: Select a platform that supports cryptocurrencies for booking flights in the UAE. Select a platform that supports cryptocurrencies for booking flights in the UAE. Step 2) Select flight details: Enter your destination, travel dates and preferences on the platform. Filter options to find the best flight for your needs. Step 3) Proceed to payment and select the cryptocurrency option: At checkout, choose the cryptocurrency payment option from the available methods. Travala, for instance, offers options like cryptocurrency transfer, and Binance Pay. Step 4) Connect crypto wallet: Select the appropriate crypto payment tab and tap 'Complete reservation.' In the case of Travala, you could tap Cryptocurrency Transfer, or Binance Pay and initiate the payment process. Step 5) Authorize payment: Log in to your crypto wallet, verify the amount and authorize the transaction securely to confirm payment. To authorize, you could use the notification sent to your wallet or scan a QR code shared by the agency or airlines using your wallet. Log in to your crypto wallet, verify the amount and authorize the transaction securely to confirm payment. To authorize, you could use the notification sent to your wallet or scan a QR code shared by the agency or airlines using your wallet. Step 6) Receive e-ticket: Receive your e-ticket via email or on the platform. Tips for flight booking with cryptocurrencies Using cryptocurrency to pay for flights is convenient, but taking certain precautions ensures a smooth and worry-free experience. Consider the following before finalizing your booking: Review transaction fees and exchange rates: Check the costs of a cryptocurrency transaction and compare them to traditional payment options. Check the costs of a cryptocurrency transaction and compare them to traditional payment options. Ensure platform reliability and security: Select airlines or agencies that use trusted, regulated payment gateways for secure transactions. Select airlines or agencies that use trusted, regulated payment gateways for secure transactions. Track cryptocurrency market fluctuations: Make payments when prices are stable to avoid unexpected expenses due to volatility. Make payments when prices are stable to avoid unexpected expenses due to volatility. Maintain transaction records: Keep copies of receipts, blockchain transaction IDs and booking confirmations for reference in case of refunds or disputes. Did you know? Many service providers prefer stablecoins like USDT and USDC over BTC or ETH. Stablecoins reduce volatility risks and settle quickly, offering a reliable alternative to traditional payments. Future of cryptocurrency in UAE air travel The UAE swiftly adopted cryptocurrency in its travel industry, focusing on digital innovation. Major airlines and platforms, such as Emirates, Air Arabia, Travala and Alternative Airlines, now accept crypto payments, promising greater convenience for travelers. With a regime that supports crypto enterprises, acceptance of crypto is sure to grow. Steps like Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) reflect the UAE's commitment to deeper crypto integration with various life activities. These efforts could enable new services, such as crypto-based loyalty programs, blockchain-streamlined visa processing and decentralized travel insurance. Crypto-powered travel hubs may emerge, offering seamless ticket booking, in-destination payments and automated compliance via blockchain. As regulations strengthen and technology advances, the UAE is poised to lead crypto-driven travel, delivering secure, innovative and efficient travel experiences. Source:
UAE Moments
12 hours ago
- UAE Moments
Your Daily Career Tarot Card Reading for August 16th, 2025
16.8.25 The Hanged Man: The Hanged Man card may show a tendency to drift rather than take action. It's possible that you're waiting for a job or promotion - or perhaps business success to fall into your lap, when you really need to get out there and make it happen. Begin today to work out what you want and to plan a strategy that will enable you to reach your goal.
The National
14 hours ago
- The National
This is what the Muslim world needs to do to boost its birth rate
We are often led to believe that women can have babies or careers – but not both. Every fresh dip in birth rates revives that refrain, and an emerging social media industry of 'back to tradition' influencers holds it up as proof that women's work is inherently at odds with family life. Policymakers – inside and outside the Muslim world – often buy the story and respond with cash or tax reductions for childbirth to incentivise fertility upwards. I start from a different place: the trade-off is mismeasured. This is important to understand because fertility and female labour participation are both critical to our economies. Each drives growth, stability and intergenerational prosperity, and neither can be sacrificed without long-term economic costs. The assumption that societies must choose between them is a false dichotomy, and that mistake is proving very costly. Crucially, international evidence shows that more jobs for women does not automatically mean a lower birth rate. In France and Sweden, well over half of adult women work – 52 per cent and 60 per cent, respectively – and fertility rates remain higher than in most Muslim-majority countries with far lower female labour force participation. Some may point out that in addition to both of these countries having strong maternity leave and childcare support policies, a majority of births now occur outside of marriage (62 per cent in France, and 55 per cent in Sweden). This credits a flexible, non-traditional view of family structures with promoting fertility, and that is indeed true. Does that mean the Muslim world, where most – if not all – societies heavily favour traditional family structures centred on marriage, is doomed to choose between female employment or higher birth rates? The answer is no, and the key examples here are Bangladesh and Indonesia. Both countries preserve traditional norms, with marriage remaining the primary route to childbearing, evidenced by the fact that only 3 per cent of births occurring out of wedlock. But they also sustain both high female employment and fertility rates near (in the case of Bangladesh) or above (in Indonesia) the replacement rate of 2.1. The assumption that societies must choose between fertility and female labour participation is a false dichotomy, proving very costly Equally interesting, however, is Turkey, which also demonstrates that there can be a positive – not inverse – relationship between female employment and birth rates. But the difference is that in Turkey, both are low. Like Bangladesh and Indonesia, only 3 per cent of children are born out of wedlock but female labour force participation lags at 36 per cent and the fertility has dropped to 1.48. So, it's clear in these cases that there need not be a trade-off. But it's also clear that something is going right in Bangladesh and Indonesia, and wrong in Turkey. What explains the divergence? This is an important question to answer for the Islamic world, where, unlike France and Sweden, marriage is likely to remain the dominant path to having children. And marriage is a very relevant part of the answer, because the difference in the cost of entry to married life is, in fact, a major determinant of fertility. When marriage is high-cost and there is no alternative, childbearing becomes locked behind a prohibitively expensive institution. In Turkey, which has branded 2025 the 'Year of the Family' clearly out of concern for the declining birth rate, the first step into partnered adulthood has drifted out of reach. Youth unemployment stands at 18 per cent, and even those with jobs often rely on near-minimum wages. More than half of all employees earn at or near the minimum wage – a figure higher among young workers, who are the main pool of prospective couples. Given these numbers, for couples planning to marry simply securing a modest apartment consumes nearly an entire full-time income – before accounting for deposits, furnishings or wedding expenses. In 31 of the country's 81 provinces, the average rent consumes three quarters of the net minimum wage. In Istanbul, the largest city, the average rent far surpasses it. Ankara's new Family and Youth Fund, established to promote stable families, offers an interest-free, four-year loan of 150,000 liras ($3,683) to couples starting a family. But in big cities, that amount barely covers three months of rent, household appliances and basic furnishings. And because youth unemployment remains high and this is, after all, just a loan, the programme merely postpones financial pressure rather than removing it. The contrasting success in Bangladesh and Indonesia is thanks to the fact that both countries, through policy and social practice, have tightly regulated the cost of marriage. Bangladesh's Dowry Prohibition Act of 1980 formally limits dowry demands, and widespread campaigns promote low-cost marriage ceremonies. In Indonesia, modest dowry practices and targeted, subsidised mortgage programmes help support more affordable pathways into household formation. The result is a low-cost, culturally sanctioned pathway into family-building allows both female employment and replacement-level fertility to co-exist. The math is simple: one rising line – the cost of setting up a household – pushes two curves – marriage and fertility – down. That's the real trade-off. To be clear, household inflation is not the only brake. Stagnant wages, crowded cities, extended schooling and evolving ideals all weigh on fertility decisions. Yet, the upfront cost of forming a family is the one variable governments can re-price fastest. It is also the one too many of them have largely ignored, focusing instead on paying couples who are already married for having children. It is simply unsustainable to invest heavily in post-birth incentives while ignoring the rising cost of forming a household in the first place, because the longer that process is delayed, the less likely births are to happen. Governments in the Gulf, where family start-up costs are a known factor in a multi-year decline in birth rates, are taking notice of this. In Qatar, the steep costs associated with weddings—and difficulties obtaining housing—are making marriage increasingly out of reach for many young couples. In the UAE, fertility has slipped to roughly 1.2 children per woman for Emirati citizens. A 2017 study by Zayed University put the average combined wedding and dowry cost at over $180,000 – a factor that for years pushed many marriages into the couple's early 30s. The UAE government has discouraged lavish weddings in recent years, explicitly linking the policy to efforts to promote family-building after studies showed that prohibitive cost is one of the main reasons Emiratis either choose not to marry or do so later in life. Last month, the UAE's Minister of Family, Sana bint Mohammed Suhail, announced plans for a national fertility strategy, saying the intention is to take a 'multidimensional approach' of 'not just revisiting child allowances or housing policies – although these matter – but rethinking how we empower young Emiratis to build families with confidence'. A similar mindset shift is required elsewhere in the region to introduce more policies that have an impact well before a married couple start considering having a child. In the Islamic world, many governments claim to champion family values and yet often treat single adults as afterthoughts – or worse, liabilities. But singles are not outsiders to family policy; they are its foundation. Once that shift is made, a more effective strategy becomes possible – one that recognises that fertility depends on two stages: singles' entry into family life by forming a stable union, and sustaining that union post-entry. If the entry point is blocked, no amount of post-entry incentives like baby bonuses will move the needle. What does this mean for policymakers? Multilateral lenders and intergovernmental organisations – such as the Islamic Development Bank, OIC agencies, UN Population Fund and the World Bank – already finance maternal health and early-childhood programmes across the Islamic world. With the right adjustments, they and individual governments could make these portfolios marriage-smart. One way to do that is to create clear metrics to track marriage affordability. International organisations, in particular, could develop a standardised marriage-affordability index and incorporate it into their country reports. While certain indicators – like wedding costs, starter-home affordability and age at first marriage – are routinely collected in some contexts, there remains no consolidated index that offers a clear picture of entry barriers to family formation. A useful parallel is the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business index, which transformed policy by systematically measuring the time, procedural steps and costs required to start a business. A comparable approach for marriage and household formation could similarly drive reforms. Without this visibility, governments and lenders risk designing policies that address symptoms rather than causes. Moreover, what gets measured gets budget lines. Second, more lenders and ministries should expand funding for scalable, marriage-enabling programmes that lower the cost of forming a household. This means bankrolling gate-openers – both new initiatives and existing best practices, like wedding loans, rent-to-own housing schemes and dowry insurance pools. Finally, economic policy should channel industrial loans toward sectors that create stable, formal employment opportunities for women. Ensuring that two paycheques can sustain a household helps keep the gate to marriage open. In Bangladesh, for example, targeted support for the garment sector created a culturally accepted form of work for women, enabling millions to contribute to household income. The cost of inaction is clear: shrinking workforces, a resurgent but mistaken narrative blaming women's economic participation, chronically underperforming economies and a generation unable to afford family formation. In the end, labour and love are not opposing forces. But when marriage becomes a luxury good, both the economy and family life falter.
