According to Lex Sokolin (@LexSokolin), recent analysis highlights that key crypto market metrics such as total value locked (TVL), trading volumes, and user engagement are often artificially inflated through tactics like bot-driven activity and ghost chain transactions. This undermines the reliability of on-chain data for trading decisions, increasing risk for traders relying on these metrics (source: Lex Sokolin on Twitter, May 8, 2025). For crypto investors, focusing on projects with genuine user adoption and real-world utility is increasingly important, as market hype and manipulated figures may not reflect sustainable value. This shift in evaluation standards could impact altcoin selection, DeFi protocol confidence, and risk management strategies.