Check the evidence behind a crypto market snapshot

Capture the exact claim

Write down the asset name and provider identifier, the quote currency, the metric and the timestamp with its time zone. A ticker symbol alone can be ambiguous. Note whether the page shows a dollar aggregate, a single trading pair or a derivative. Keep the observation time where the provider gives one, and separately write when you opened the page.

Read how the number is assembled

Find the provider for the particular metric. Check which venues are included, how prices are aggregated, and how the source handles thinly traded pairs or stale data. For a change labelled 24 hours, record whether it uses a rolling window or a daily close. For market cap, check which supply figure is used. For volume, check whether the figure covers spot, derivatives or both.

Try a matched cross-check

Compare two readings as close as possible in observation time, for the same asset, currency and market scope. Fictional example: a USD spot aggregate at 14:00 UTC and one venue’s perpetual contract at 14:05 UTC can legitimately differ. Repeat with matching spot quotes and document remaining venue differences. If the timestamps or definitions are unavailable, quote only the provider’s displayed value and name what you could not check.

Leave a trace someone else can inspect

Write your result as a dated source note: provider, asset, metric, scope, time and one limitation. If a later view changed, keep the first time and label the second observation. A market snapshot can describe what a source displayed at a particular time. Future price movements are outside this check.

• Read the market data methodology

• Open the market table

• Use a source-checking worksheet