What Is CoinMarketCap and How to Use It as a Crypto Beginner

CoinMarketCap (CMC) is often described as the “Home of Crypto” – a comprehensive crypto tracker and data platform that aggregates live prices, market capitalizations, trading volumes, and other statistics for thousands of cryptocurrencies. Founded in 2013 by Brandon Chez, CoinMarketCap’s mission is “to accelerate the crypto revolution by organizing the world’s crypto intelligence and making it easily accessible to all”. 

In 2020 the site was acquired by Binance (one of the world’s largest crypto exchanges) but continues to operate independently. Today, CMC is cited by major news outlets (Forbes, Bloomberg, CNBC) and even used by government research reports. It reaches hundreds of millions of users annually via its website and mobile apps.

CoinMarketCap provides real-time cryptocurrency prices and market data: it tracks over 18 million crypto assets across 800+ exchanges. For beginners, it works like a financial ticker: you can view live coin prices, charts, and summary stats in one place. The platform also includes learning resources, news, rankings, and social features. In this guide we’ll explain CMC’s origin and role, show you how to navigate its homepage and core features, and offer tips for using it safely as a beginner.

Also read: CoinGecko vs CoinMarketCap: A Comprehensive Comparison for Crypto Enthusiasts

Navigating the CoinMarketCap Homepage

When you visit the CoinMarketCap homepage, you’ll see global market statistics at the top – for example, the total number of listed cryptocurrencies and exchanges, the combined market capitalization (in the trillions), 24-hour total volume, and Bitcoin/Ethereum market dominance. 

CoinMarketCap home page (Source: CoinMarketCap)

Below that, the main content is a ranking table of cryptocurrencies, typically sorted by market capitalization by default. Each row shows a coin’s name, symbol, current price, market cap, 24h trading volume, circulating supply, and percentage price change over 1h, 24h, and 7d. A small sparkline chart in each row illustrates the 7-day price trajectory. Beginners can scroll this list to see any coin tracked by CMC.

Crypto ranking table (Source: CoinMarketCap)

The table is highly customizable: you can filter or sort by different metrics (e.g. by trading volume, price, or 7d gainers). There are also tabs and categories: above the table you can click on “Cryptocurrencies” to switch between subcategories such as “Top 100”, “DeFi”, “Storage”, or use filters (e.g. by platform or algorithms). For example, filtering by “DeFi” shows only DeFi tokens; using the “Filters” button lets you narrow coins by market cap range or exchange.

Also read: Top Altcoins Under $1 to Invest In

Navigating Example: To find a coin, use the search bar or scroll to its rank. 

CoinMarketCap search screen (Source: CoinMarketCap)

Click on any coin in the list to open its Coin Details Page. For example, click Bitcoin (BTC) – the page shows its full name, symbol, price chart, and all related stats. On a coin’s page you’ll see:

• Price Chart: Interactive chart of price (with time ranges from 1 day to “All time”).
  
• Summary Stats: Market cap, 24h volume, circulating & total supply, all-time high/low, and % changes.
  
• Market Pairs: Lists all exchanges where the coin trades, with a liquidity/confidence score for each pair. This helps identify reputable markets (higher liquidity usually means safer trading).
  
• Community & News: Links to official social media, whitepaper, community discussions, or aggregated news articles about that coin.
  

BTC page (Source: CoinMarketCap)

The homepage also offers quick links for trending features: tabs like “Trending,” “Recently Added,” “Gainers & Losers,” and “Most Visited” are available for leaderboards. For example, the Trending tab shows coins with the most attention on CMC in the last 24h, which highlights current market buzz. (Note that a coin’s trending status is based on site activity, not price moves.) In addition, a Crypto Heatmap view can color-code coins by performance, and global “market overviews” like the Fear & Greed Index or Altcoin Season Score are featured on top menu dropdowns.

Fear & Greed index (Source: CoinMarketCap)

Overall, the homepage is a powerful dashboard for real-time crypto data. It can look busy at first, so beginners should focus on essentials like price, market cap, and volume.

Understanding Price, Market Cap, Volume, and Supply Data

To use CoinMarketCap effectively, you need to know what each metric means:

• Price: The current trading price of one unit of the cryptocurrency, usually in USD.
  
• Market Capitalization: Total market value, calculated as price × circulating supply. This indicates the size of the crypto. For example, in May 2025 Bitcoin’s market cap is around $2.34 trillion, making it by far the largest coin.
  
• 24h Volume: Total value of the coin traded over the past 24 hours. Higher volume often means better liquidity and less price manipulation risk. Note that stablecoins (e.g. Tether) can have very high volumes (>$170B for USDT) because they’re used in many trades.
  
• Supply: Typically given as Circulating Supply / Max Supply. Circulating supply is coins currently in public hands; total or max supply is the cap (if any). A smaller supply means each coin may have a higher price if demand is strong, while a large supply (like many trillions of SHIB coins) can mean each coin is cheap by nominal price even if market cap is significant.
  

The table below compares a few major cryptocurrencies as an example:

These numbers (market caps and volumes) come directly from CMC’s live data. You can click the headings in the “All Cryptocurrencies” or “Top 100” view to sort by any column, or use the search box to find specific coins.

Below the table (when browsing), the price chart gives visual context. Hovering over the chart or its data table shows exact values at different times. Beginners should check both market cap and volume: a high market cap with low volume can indicate a coin that’s not frequently traded (less liquid). Also note the % changes: large 24h or 7d swings often signal high volatility.

After picking a coin, click it to explore more details (market pairs, official website, blockchain explorer, etc.).

Using Watchlists and the Portfolio Tracker

For beginners building a crypto watchlist or portfolio, CoinMarketCap offers built-in tools:

• Watchlist: By creating a free account, you can “star” any coin to add it to your personal watchlist. The watchlist lets you view selected coins in one place (with live price and change), so you don’t have to scroll through the main ranking every time. This is useful for tracking a handful of coins you’re interested in. You can create multiple watchlists (e.g. one for top coins, another for small caps) and even customize which metrics (e.g. 24h % or volume) to display.
  
• Portfolio Tracker: CoinMarketCap’s Portfolio feature lets you simulate or track real holdings. After logging in, go to the Portfolio tab and click “Create Portfolio.” You can then add cryptocurrencies you own and enter transaction details (buy/sell, quantity, price, fees). The portfolio dashboard will show your total balance, profit/loss, and a timeline chart. You can connect crypto wallets or Binance accounts so balances sync automatically. The app also offers an all-in-one overview of your portfolio holdings (see image below).
  

Using the portfolio, beginners can see how market movements affect their own investments without logging into exchanges. It’s important to note that CMC does not hold any funds – the portfolio is just a tracker of data. All cryptocurrencies remain in your wallets or exchange accounts; CMC simply reads their prices. This means you cannot trade or withdraw from CMC, only track.

Also read: How to Find New Meme Coins Early on Ethereum, Solana, and BSC

Exploring Trending Coins and News

CoinMarketCap also highlights trending coins and crypto news to keep you informed:

• Trending Coins: The “Trending” section lists the cryptocurrencies with the most eyeballs or traffic on CMC in the past 24 hours. These may be coins with recent price pumps, big news, or viral interest. For example, if a meme coin suddenly surges on Twitter, it will often appear on CMC’s trending list. Monitoring trending coins can alert you to market hype or potential opportunities. However, trending does not mean a coin is safe or guaranteed to rise further – it simply reflects current popularity.
  
• News / Headlines: CMC aggregates crypto news headlines from top industry sources in its “News” or “Crypto News” section. (In some interfaces this is called “Headlines”.) This feed includes articles from major crypto publications as well as official announcements (often called “Signals”) directly from projects. It’s a convenient way to read major news (e.g. regulatory updates, project launches) without visiting multiple sites. For example, on the mobile app “Latest News” tab you might see top stories like price analyses or development news. (CMC also has its own blog with summaries, but the Headlines aggregator draws from many outlets.)
  

When doing research, it’s wise to use CMC’s news section alongside other sources. CMC itself notes that it is a neutral informational resource, and users should do their own research (DYOR). Always cross-check any investment news (especially if it appears in the trending list) with trusted news outlets and official project announcements.

Exchanges and Coin Listings

Aside from coins, CoinMarketCap provides data on crypto exchanges and lists newly added tokens:

• Exchange Rankings: Under the “Exchanges” tab, CMC ranks cryptocurrency exchanges by metrics like 24h trading volume, traffic, liquidity, and volume confidence. The list is divided into Centralized Spot, Derivatives, and Decentralized Exchanges (DEXes). For example, as of May 2025 the top CEXes by volume include Binance, Bybit, Coinbase, etc. Each exchange page shows volume, number of markets, supported fiat currencies, and more. This helps you compare exchanges or verify liquidity before choosing where to trade. CMC even provides a “trust score” and lists which coins are traded on each exchange.
  
• New / Recently Added Coins: CoinMarketCap tracks when new cryptocurrencies are added to the site. The “New” page shows coins added in the past 30 days and the “Recently Added” tab shows latest listings. This can be useful for spotting emerging projects early. For each new coin, CMC will list its initial price, volume, blockchain, and when it was listed. Beginners should be cautious with new listings: many are experimental or may be low-quality tokens. Check if a new coin has a credible website, known team, or genuine use case. Often, CMC’s own guidelines require some trading volume and information before listing an asset, but this does not guarantee project legitimacy.
  

Step-by-Step Example: Using Core Features

Here’s an example workflow to illustrate how a beginner might use CoinMarketCap:

1. Find and watch a coin: On the CMC homepage (or app), scroll or search for “Ethereum (ETH)”. Click on Ethereum in the list. You now see ETH’s detail page with its live price, market cap, 24h volume, and a 7-day price chart. Note ETH’s circulating supply and its % gains over the last day/week.
   
2. Add to Watchlist: (Optional) If you create/log into a CMC account, you can click the star icon beside ETH’s name to add it to your watchlist. Now whenever you open CoinMarketCap, your watchlist (e.g. on the side or in a tab) shows ETH and any other starred coins in one view.
   
3. Set an Alert (App): In the mobile app, go to the Price Alerts screen (or find ETH and tap “Set Alert”). Enter a target price (e.g. alert me if ETH goes above $3,500). The app will notify you when Ethereum’s price crosses that threshold. (Price alerts are useful so you don’t have to constantly refresh the app.)
   
4. Check Trending/News: Before trading, you might check the Trending section to see if ETH is trending (i.e. many people searching it). You can also read news articles: switch to the News or Headlines tab to see recent headlines about Ethereum or the broader market. This gives context (e.g. if a major DeFi update or macro news is affecting ETH’s price).
   
5. Research Exchanges: If you plan to buy ETH, click the Market Pairs or Exchanges tab. CMC will list which exchanges and trading pairs (like ETH/USDT on Binance, Coinbase, etc.) are available, along with liquidity scores. You can choose an exchange with high volume and high confidence score for smoother trading.
   
6. Track Your Investment: After buying ETH on an exchange, record the transaction in CMC’s Portfolio tracker. (Open the Portfolio tab on app/website, create a portfolio, add ETH with the quantity and buy price.) Now you can see the value of your ETH holding and profit/loss over time.
   

By following these steps and using the features above, beginners can go from simple price checks to building a personalized crypto dashboard. All of this can be done in a few taps or clicks on the website/app. The images below illustrate parts of this process:

Benefits and Limitations of CoinMarketCap

Benefits: CoinMarketCap’s popularity comes from its comprehensive, up-to-date data and beginner-friendly interface. It is feature-rich: beyond prices it offers exchange rankings, news aggregation, a portfolio tracker, conversion tools, and educational resources. The site is free and widely regarded as the industry standard for crypto metrics. For example, CMC provides thousands of coin charts and a crypto heatmap for quick visual analysis. Its sheer breadth (tracking millions of tokens and scores of metrics) helps users get a full picture of the crypto market at a glance. The mobile CMC app brings all this to your pocket: it advertises tracking 11,000+ coins and sending price alerts, watchlists, and portfolio updates in real time.

Limitations: No data platform is perfect. CoinMarketCap is a data aggregator, meaning it collects information from many exchanges and projects. Sometimes this can lead to inconsistencies or glitches. For instance, CMC suffered a high-profile price data glitch in late 2021 (which it quickly fixed). Additionally, CMC’s numbers (market caps, volumes) rely on reported exchange data, which can be manipulated or misreported. Beginners should treat any single source with caution. Community reviewers have noted that CoinMarketCap’s interface can be overwhelming at first, with so many charts and menus. Privacy concerns and “bot” content in some community forums have also been raised, though these do not affect the core market data. It’s also crucial to remember: CoinMarketCap is not an exchange. It does not execute trades or hold funds; it merely displays information.

Importantly, CMC itself states it is not responsible for any project’s success and urges users to do their own research. This means you should use CoinMarketCap as one of several tools. For example, if a new coin suddenly appears on CMC, double-check it on social media or other data sites (like CoinGecko) before trusting it. Large cap and high volume coins tend to have more reliable data. Low-volume coins (or those on only a handful of small exchanges) can be very risky.

Also read: What Is Cryptocurrency: A Beginner’s Guide

Tips for Beginners Using CoinMarketCap

1. Double-check data: Use the CoinMarketCap data in conjunction with other sources. For any big investment, look at official project websites, blockchain explorers, or reputable crypto news for confirmation. For example, if CMC shows a coin’s market cap or circulating supply that seems off, try verifying on Ethereum’s blockchain explorer or the coin’s GitHub. CMC’s transparency pages and methodology (linked from their site) can help you understand their calculations.
   
2. Watch liquidity and volume: On a coin’s page, check the Market Pairs and liquidity scores. Avoid trading on low-liquidity exchanges; the liquidity/confidence meter helps flag dubious markets. Also look at the “Volume” column: if a coin’s volume is very low or spiking unusually high relative to its market cap, be cautious of pump schemes.
   
3. Use watchlists wisely: Start with a small watchlist of top coins (e.g. BTC, ETH, a few stablecoins) to avoid information overload. As you learn, you can expand to other projects. Customize your watchlist view to see the metrics you care about (price change, volume, etc.).
   
4. Leverage educational content: CoinMarketCap Academy and Glossary are free resources linked from the site. If you encounter terms like “proof-of-stake” or “liquidity score” that you don’t know, use the CMC Academy guides to learn. (These are not on the homepage but can be found under “Learn & Earn” or similar menus.)
   
5. Risk management: Always apply basic risk management. As CMC’s own articles stress, never invest more than you’re willing to lose. Use CMC for research but not as investment advice. Consider setting stop-loss alerts on your portfolio to protect gains, and only follow CMC’s data for portfolio calculations (actual trading rules are up to you).
   
6. Stay informed of updates: CMC regularly adds new features (e.g. NFT tracking, Fear & Greed Index, on-chain analytics). Check the CMC blog or “CMC Updates” for any tools relevant to beginners (for instance, they recently added an Altcoin Season Index and a Forbes-style news feed).
   

By combining the above tips with the features outlined, beginners can effectively use CoinMarketCap as a cryptocurrency price tracker and research tool. Always remember: CMC simplifies crypto data, but it does not replace due diligence. Use it as a starting point – check multiple sources, read project documentation, and consider speaking to financial advisors for serious investments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CoinMarketCap used for?

CoinMarketCap is a cryptocurrency data platform that provides real-time information on crypto prices, market capitalizations, trading volumes, exchange rankings, and more. It’s widely used to track the performance of crypto assets and do research before investing.

Is CoinMarketCap free to use?

Yes, CoinMarketCap is completely free to use. You can browse coin prices, charts, and market data without an account. Optional features like watchlists, portfolios, and price alerts are available when you sign up for a free account.

How do I track my crypto portfolio on CoinMarketCap?

To track your portfolio, log in or create a free account on CoinMarketCap, then navigate to the “Portfolio” section. You can manually input your crypto purchases (amount, price, date), and the platform will automatically calculate real-time value, profit/loss, and historical performance.

Can I trade crypto on CoinMarketCap?

No, you cannot trade directly on CoinMarketCap. It is a data aggregator, not a crypto exchange. However, it does provide links and trading pair information for trusted exchanges where the asset is listed.

Is CoinMarketCap owned by Binance?

Yes, Binance acquired CoinMarketCap in April 2020, but the platform claims to operate independently with its own editorial and data policies. It is still widely regarded as one of the most trusted sources for crypto market data.

How do I find trending coins on CoinMarketCap?

On the homepage or in the “Trending” tab, CoinMarketCap lists coins that are gaining traction based on traffic, searches, or social mentions. You can also check the “Recently Added”, “Biggest Gainers”, and “Most Visited” tabs for current market movers.

What is the difference between market cap and volume?

• Market Cap is the total value of a cryptocurrency in circulation (price × circulating supply).
  
• Volume represents how much of that crypto was traded over a 24-hour period.
  

Market cap shows size; volume shows activity and liquidity.

Is the data on CoinMarketCap accurate?

CoinMarketCap aggregates data from hundreds of exchanges. While it is generally reliable, some metrics may vary slightly or be affected by inaccurate exchange reports. CMC uses volume-weighted averages and liquidity confidence scores to improve accuracy. Always double-check data from multiple sources when making decisions.

How do I set crypto price alerts on CoinMarketCap?

If you’re using the CoinMarketCap mobile app, go to the desired coin, click on the bell icon, and set your desired price alert. You’ll receive a notification when the coin hits that price.

Is CoinMarketCap good for beginners?

Yes, CoinMarketCap is ideal for beginners. It offers:

• A user-friendly interface
  
• Simple explanations of crypto terms
  
• Watchlists and portfolio tools
  
• Market insights and trending coins
  
• Free mobile app with alerts
  

It’s a great first step for learning about the crypto market.