VIRTUAL, the native token of the Base-based Virtuals Protocol, has rocketed 207% over the past 30 days, vastly outperforming major cryptocurrencies including bitcoin (BTC), which rose just 13% in the same period. The token now trades at $1.66, cementing its position as the best performer among the top 100 cryptocurrencies by market value, according to CoinDesk.

This meteoric rise is attributed to growing investor confidence, particularly from “smart money” wallets—those owned by institutions, funds, and notable whales, as tracked by on-chain analytics firm Nansen.

Smart Money Inflows Signal Strong Institutional Interest

VIRTUAL has emerged as the most traded token among smart money wallets in recent weeks. According to Nansen, these high-profile wallets poured $14.2 million into VIRTUAL over the last 30 days, including $8.56 million in just the past week. This level of institutional involvement typically signals a strong conviction in the underlying fundamentals or upcoming catalysts.

Other tokens attracting smart money attention include EBTC, LINK, and PEPE, but none have matched VIRTUAL’s momentum.

Genesis Launchpad: The Catalyst Behind the Surge

Much of the excitement surrounds the recent launch of Genesis, Virtuals Protocol’s innovative launchpad system unveiled two weeks ago. Genesis introduces a “proof of contribution” model that rewards genuine engagement over speculative behaviour. Users earn Virgen Points through activities like staking and supporting AI-related projects.

Since its debut, several tokens launched via Genesis have already doubled or more in value. This has sparked a surge in demand for Virgen Points, as users scramble to qualify for promising future launches.

As crypto publication Bankless noted, “Genesis breathes fresh life into Virtuals while showcasing a novel mechanism for designing token launches.”

Redefining Token Launches: Fairness Meets Functionality

Genesis isn’t just another launchpad. It aims to eliminate the insider-driven allocation issues that plague traditional token launches. Key features include:

• Contribution-based allocations: Rewarding active supporters rather than just early buyers.
• Automatic refunds: If a project doesn’t meet its funding goals, users get their funds back.
• Transparent vesting schedules: Ensuring long-term commitment and reducing sudden dumps.

Bankless added that while the system isn’t flawless, it marks a significant improvement over older, more opaque mechanisms.

The surge in VIRTUAL’s price and smart money interest signals growing trust in the Virtuals Protocol’s AI-centric vision. With the successful rollout of Genesis and increased institutional activity, VIRTUAL is quickly positioning itself as a standout project in the evolving landscape of decentralised AI.