What is Cronos? Updated CRO review you shouldn’t miss in 2025

As blockchain platforms increasingly compete on speed, scalability, and user costs, Cronos (CRO) stands out as a notable Layer 1 solution backed by Crypto.com – one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges. Built on Cosmos SDK and fully compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), Cronos makes Web3 more accessible while unlocking flexible cross-chain potential across DeFi, NFT, and GameFi ecosystems. In this article, Coin60s will help you explore what Cronos is, how it works, and whether CRO could be a smart investment opportunity in 2025.

What is Cronos (CRO)?

Cronos is a Layer 1 blockchain developed by Crypto.com, designed to provide a developer-friendly environment optimized for end users, while effectively bridging different blockchain ecosystems. Built on the Cosmos SDK and utilizing the Tendermint consensus mechanism, Cronos offers cross-chain interoperability, ensuring fast transaction speeds and low fees without compromising on security.

One of the key factors that make Cronos appealing to developers is its full compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). This allows Ethereum-based dApps to be easily redeployed on Cronos without having to rewrite their code, saving time and development costs. As a result, Cronos has rapidly attracted a number of major DeFi, NFT, and GameFi protocols, significantly expanding its ecosystem in a short period.

The CRO token serves as the native utility coin of the Cronos Chain. It is used to pay transaction fees, for staking to help secure the network, and is expected to play a governance role in future community decisions. As a flagship product of Crypto.com – one of the largest global exchanges with a vast user base – CRO not only holds long-term growth potential but is also actively integrated into various real-world use cases such as cashback rewards, payments, Web3 financial services, and numerous other offerings across the broader Crypto.com ecosystem.

Why was Cronos created? What problem does CRO solve?

Cronos was created as a strategic initiative by Crypto.com to address the limitations of existing blockchain platforms, particularly Ethereum. As DeFi, NFTs, and Web3 continue to expand rapidly, Ethereum’s well-known issues – such as high gas fees, slow transaction speeds, and limited cross-chain interoperability – have become increasingly problematic. These challenges hinder both users and developers from accessing seamless and cost-effective decentralized experiences.

Cronos aims to become a highly scalable, Ethereum-compatible blockchain that leverages the Cosmos SDK and IBC (Inter-Blockchain Communication) protocol to enable seamless connectivity with other networks. This architecture allows Cronos to offer lower fees and faster transactions while simultaneously fostering interoperability across blockchain ecosystems.

The native CRO token plays a vital role in this model. It’s used not only for transaction fees but also for staking to secure the network, and is expected to support governance in the future. This dual function ensures that the Cronos ecosystem operates efficiently while aligning economic incentives for users and developers alike.

How does Cronos work?

Cronos operates on a hybrid architecture built with Cosmos SDK and the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), allowing it to offer both high flexibility and seamless compatibility with existing Ethereum-based decentralized applications. Cosmos SDK provides a modular infrastructure, enabling Cronos to customize core functions such as consensus mechanism, account management, and transaction processing logic. Meanwhile, EVM compatibility ensures that developers can redeploy their smart contracts from Ethereum to Cronos with minimal changes.

The network uses the Tendermint Core consensus engine, an advanced form of Proof of Stake (PoS), which allows for fast and energy-efficient transaction validation. Validators are responsible for verifying and producing blocks, and they are rewarded through transaction fees and CRO staking incentives.

Another key feature of Cronos is its integration with the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol, enabling the seamless transfer of assets and data between Cronos and other blockchains in the Cosmos ecosystem. This creates a powerful bridge between Cronos, Ethereum, and many other networks, expanding the Web3 application space organically.

Thanks to this architecture, Cronos is capable of handling thousands of transactions per second at very low costs, while maintaining security, decentralization, and scalability – the three pillars of modern blockchain design.

Key highlights of Cronos

Cronos stands out in the crowded blockchain landscape thanks to several clear competitive advantages. Most notably, its full compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) makes it an ideal destination for projects looking to expand from Ethereum without having to rewrite their smart contracts. This compatibility significantly reduces development time and costs, while attracting developers already familiar with Solidity and popular tools like MetaMask, Hardhat, and Remix.

Another major strength of Cronos lies in its low transaction fees and fast throughput. Leveraging the Tendermint PoS consensus and Cosmos-based architecture, Cronos is capable of handling thousands of transactions per second at just a fraction of the cost of Ethereum Layer 1. This makes it especially attractive for high-traffic Web3 applications such as DeFi protocols, GameFi platforms, and NFT marketplaces.

In addition, the Cronos ecosystem benefits from strong backing by Crypto.com – one of the world’s largest and most resource-rich exchanges. This provides the network with stable liquidity, a ready user base, and rapid scaling potential through integrated products like crypto wallets, payment cards, mobile apps, and global marketing campaigns.

Lastly, by combining Cosmos technology with EVM compatibility, Cronos can easily connect with other blockchains, enabling true interoperability and cross-chain functionality – a critical feature in today’s fragmented Web3 environment. This positions Cronos not just as a standalone Layer 1, but as an effective bridge across the broader blockchain ecosystem.

Core products in the Cronos ecosystem

The Cronos ecosystem is not just a single blockchain, it encompasses a broad range of products and applications serving DeFi, NFT, GameFi, and Web3 payment solutions. Backed by Crypto.com, the ecosystem is rapidly expanding in both scale and functionality.

Some of the most prominent products and platforms include:

Crypto.com DeFi Wallet: A decentralized wallet enabling users to store, stake, and swap tokens directly on Cronos.
VVS Finance: The leading AMM on Cronos, similar to Uniswap on Ethereum, allowing for decentralized token swaps and liquidity provision.
Tectonic: A lending and borrowing platform where users can earn or borrow assets with flexible interest rates.
Cronos ID: A Web3 identity system on Cronos, providing custom blockchain domains similar to Ethereum’s ENS.
Ebisu’s Bay: The largest NFT marketplace on Cronos, offering NFT minting, trading, and auctions.
CronaSwap, Ferro Protocol, MM Finance: Other DeFi protocols with services such as stablecoin swaps, yield farming, launchpads, and DEX aggregation.

Additionally, Crypto.com integrates its core products with Cronos to enhance utility:

Crypto.com Visa Card: Allows users to spend crypto converted from Cronos-based tokens.
Crypto.com App & Exchange: Enables users to buy, convert, and stake CRO and other assets directly from a centralized app or exchange.

This diversity helps Cronos retain users while building a sustainable ecosystem of applications from finance to consumer usage, catering to both newcomers and experienced crypto investors.

Team and strategic partnerships

Cronos is developed by Crypto.com, a leading global cryptocurrency company headquartered in Singapore with operations in over 90 countries. Behind Crypto.com is a seasoned team of engineers, finance professionals, and blockchain experts, including:

Kris Marszalek – CEO of Crypto.com: A serial entrepreneur with a strong background in building tech startups in Asia. He is the key figure behind Crypto.com’s global expansion and its growing ecosystem, including Cronos.
Bobby Bao – Co-founder and Head of Asian Development: With deep experience in fintech and venture capital, he plays a vital role in strategic partnerships across China and Southeast Asia.
Eric Anziani – COO of Crypto.com: Formerly with Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, and PayPal, he leads Crypto.com’s product strategy and operational execution.

To support the independent growth of the Cronos chain, Crypto.com established Cronos Labs – a dedicated R&D division focused on ecosystem development. Cronos Labs manages technical infrastructure, runs grant programs, startup accelerators, and provides go-to-market support for dApp builders.

On the partnership front, Cronos has formed strategic alliances with major blockchain players, including:

Chainlink: Supplies oracle data for DeFi protocols on Cronos.
Alchemy and Infura: Provide RPC infrastructure to ease development.
Cosmos SDK community: Collaborates to enable IBC compatibility.
Ankr, Covalent, Moralis: Offer blockchain data, APIs, and developer tools.

The combination of Crypto.com’s global infrastructure and Cronos’ diverse partner network positions it as a powerful and scalable blockchain platform with a clear long-term vision in the competitive Layer 1 and Layer 2 landscape.

What is the CRO token?

CRO is the native utility token of the Cronos ecosystem and serves as the core asset powering the entire network. Initially launched on the Crypto.org blockchain, CRO has now evolved to become the primary token of Cronos Chain – the EVM-compatible blockchain backed by Crypto.com.

Key functions of CRO include:

Gas fee payments: CRO is used to pay for transaction fees on Cronos Chain, offering much lower costs compared to Ethereum.
Staking and network security: Users can stake CRO to become validators or delegate it to others, contributing to network operations and earning rewards.
Ecosystem incentives: CRO is used in liquidity mining programs, yield farming, and developer grants to boost ecosystem growth.
Cross-platform utility: Beyond Cronos, CRO is integrated into multiple Crypto.com products, such as the DeFi wallet, cashback Visa card, and the Crypto Earn program — where users can lock CRO to earn interest.

Technical details:

Token name: Cronos (CRO)
Standards: CRC-20 (on Cronos), ERC-20 (on Ethereum), and BEP-20 (on BNB Smart Chain)
Max supply: 30 billion CRO
Circulating supply: ~25.2 billion CRO (as of 2025)
Market cap: Frequently ranks in the top 30 by total value
Major exchanges: Binance, OKX, Crypto.com, KuCoin, Bybit…

CRO’s broad utility across Crypto.com’s ecosystem and its seamless integration with multiple blockchain standards have contributed to its strong liquidity and growing global user base.

Should you invest in CRO?

CRO is not only a utility token within the Cronos ecosystem, but also a strategic digital asset with long-term backing from Crypto.com. Like any other cryptocurrency, investing in CRO should involve a careful evaluation of both its potential and its risks.

On the positive side, CRO offers several strengths:

Solid foundation: Backed by Crypto.com — a global brand with millions of users and a diverse ecosystem including wallets, exchanges, and Visa cards.
High utility: CRO is used for staking, payments, rewards, and across multiple Crypto.com products, supporting long-term demand.
Low fees, fast transactions: Cronos network offers significantly cheaper gas fees compared to Ethereum and supports high scalability.
Ecosystem growth: A growing number of DeFi, GameFi, and NFT projects are launching on Cronos, increasing the token’s real-world usage.
Supply reduction strategy: In 2021, Crypto.com executed one of the largest token burns in crypto history by eliminating 70 billion CRO, reducing inflationary pressure.

However, some risks include:

High centralization: A large portion of CRO is held and managed by Crypto.com, raising concerns about governance and potential market manipulation.
Brand dependency: CRO is heavily tied to the success and reputation of Crypto.com. Any legal or reputational issues could negatively impact CRO’s value.
Fierce competition: CRO faces stiff competition from other Layer 1 blockchains like Solana, Avalanche, and BNB Chain – all with strong communities and robust funding.

In summary, if you believe in the long-term vision of Crypto.com and the Cronos ecosystem, CRO could be a promising long-term investment. However, it’s crucial to diversify your portfolio, avoid overexposure, and monitor legal and strategic developments closely.

Conclusion

Cronos (CRO) is more than just a scalable, low-fee Layer 1 blockchain – it’s the backbone of a well-funded and growing ecosystem led by Crypto.com, one of the largest blockchain companies in the world. Built on Cosmos SDK and EVM compatibility, and equipped with cross-chain integration through IBC, Cronos is positioning itself as a key hub for DeFi, GameFi, and Web3 applications.

Newbie