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DATA · TOKEN MARKET CAP TIMING

DEX Token Market-Cap Data: Event Time vs Retrieval Time

A market-cap figure combines a price at one moment with a supply figure updated at another. Both clocks matter.

By ChartsPod Editorial Team · Reviewed by ChartsPod Research
Published · Updated · 5 min read

Short answer

DEX market cap = price × circulating supply. The price comes from a pool snapshot (cached or live); the supply may be self-reported and updated rarely. Neither DEX Screener's nor CoinGecko's documented schemas give a 'supply updated at' time. Store retrieval time and supply source; when supply changes (unlocks, mints), market cap jumps without any trade. Compare market caps only from the same moment and supply basis.

Which times the data carries

TimePresent?Meaning
Price timeSnapshot / cacheMoves constantly
Supply update timeNot providedUnknown
Retrieval timeNoRecord it
Supply sourceSelf-reported / providerBasis

Put DEX Token Market-Cap Data next to price, flow and positioning in one workspace.

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What to record yourself

Field to storeWhy
retrieved_atSnapshot time
priceInput
supply valueInput
supply sourceBasis
market capDerived
Token Market Cap: a stored recordToken Market Cap: a stored record: retrieved_at — Snapshot time; price — Input; supply value — Input; supply source — Basis; market cap — Derived.retrieved_atSnapshot timepriceInputsupply valueInputsupply sourceBasismarket capDerived
Every token market cap row carries its own clock. Original ChartsPod editorial graphic.

Example

Token Market Cap: event vs retrieval (illustrative)Token Market Cap: event vs retrieval (illustrative): DAY 1: Market cap $20M; DAY 2 00:00: Unlock adds supply; DAY 2: Provider updates supply; RESULT: Cap $26M, price flat.DAY 1Market cap $20MDAY 2 00:00Unlock adds supplyDAY 2Provider updates supplyRESULTCap $26M, price flat
Two clocks, one record. Original ChartsPod editorial graphic.

Illustrative: market cap rose 30% overnight with no price change because the provider updated circulating supply after an unlock.

Related: DEX Token Market-Cap Data: Null vs Zero - Handle Missing Fields Correctly, DEX Market-Cap Discrepancies: How to Read the Number Before a Swap.

Compare market caps only from the same moment and supply basis.

Review DEX Token Market-Cap Data with bar replay before using it live.

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Questions readers ask

Why did market cap change without price moving?

Supply was updated.

Do APIs show when supply changed?

Not in the documented schemas.

What should I store?

Retrieval time and supply source.

Sources and methodology

Field definitions come from DEX Screener's API reference and CoinGecko's onchain API documentation, read 17 October 2026. Where a schema doesn't document a timestamp, this guide says so and recommends recording retrieval time yourself.

  1. CoinGecko onchain API: Top pools by token address (pool schema) — pool fields and nullability (fdv_usd, market_cap_usd, reserve_in_usd).
  2. DEX Screener: Token listing — listing after first liquidity and trade; supply inputs.

This article explains research tools and workflows. It is not financial advice, does not recommend buying or selling any asset and does not predict prices. Crypto derivatives carry a risk of rapid and total loss of margin.

CHARTSPOD EDITORIAL EDITION · RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ONLY · NOT FINANCIAL ADVICE.