If you’ve ever swapped a token on a crypto exchange without the price tanking, you’ve got a market maker to thank. These behind-the-scenes players keep the wheels of crypto turning by ensuring there’s enough liquidity for trades to be executed smoothly. When operating optimally, market makers assume a neutral role, serving as referees overseeing an eternal game that pits buyers on one side against sellers on the other. In a market as wild as crypto, that’s no small feat. Without them, you’d see bid-ask spreads widen and prices lurch unpredictably. While the fortunes of the leading market makers rise and fall, just like crypto itself, the following players have been in the game for years, working tirelessly to keep the industry liquid. DWF Labs DWF Labs has been on the scene since 2018 and is now a household name for projects operating in web3. They’ve made waves with their investment arm, but market-making is still where they shine brightest. DWF is hooked up with over 60 top exchanges and manages liquidity for more than 700 projects. You’ll be hard pressed to find a busier crypto market maker. DWF Labs blends high-frequency trading with efficient algorithms to keep the order books humming, giving new tokens a fighting chance at gaining market share. When your project’s gearing up for its token generation event, DWF’s the one you call to make sure it’s a success. A token’s early days are make-or-break since without solid liquidity, it’s dead in the water. The DWF team supports buy-sell action that feels natural, not forced, helping projects build momentum. It also helps that with their OTC desk and ties to heavyweights like Fireblocks, DWF Labs aren’t just tossing liquidity around but are directing it with precision. For web3 startups that are in it for the long haul, DWF Labs is that wise older sibling who’s got your back. Wintermute Wintermute’s been doing its thing since 2017, and in 2025 they’re as vital as ever. Based out of London, they’re prized for their AI-powered algorithms that keep over 350 trading pairs liquid across centralized and decentralized platforms. But where they flex is DeFi. While some market makers stick to the predictable world of centralized exchanges, Wintermute dives headfirst into decentralized protocols, making sure the long tail of tokens have the liquidity they need to thrive. The Wintermute team knows how to keep spreads tight and liquidity flowing, even when the market’s throwing a tantrum. Admittedly, they’re geared toward bigger players and DeFi projects with some oomph, but that focus lets them shine where it counts. In 2025, as DeFi keeps growing, Wintermute’s out there proving that liquidity doesn’t have to be a centralized game: thanks to their efforts, it’s also thriving onchain. Amber Group Amber Group boasts more than 2,000 institutional clients and has supported more than $1 trillion in trade volume – a quite staggering figure. It accounts for around $5B of daily volume through its market making services, which means that more than 1 in 20 trades executed globally is supported by Amber. As you’d expect of a market maker of this size, Amber has a finger in many pies – or rather a bag on many exchanges, both centralized and decentralized.Its market making service doesn’t operate in isolation, incidentally: it’s complemented by an advisory service that’s every bit as vital. This is where it has an opportunity to draw upon its expertise and guide fledgling projects through the token issuance process. As a result, projects can expect to receive a bespoke strategy that’s tailored to their needs rather than a one-size-fits-all formula that fails to take into account the peculiarities of their particular project and token design. Cumberland Cumberland , part of the DRW Trading family, is the grown-up in the room. Since dipping into crypto in 2014, the Chicago-based outfit has been a rock for institutional players looking for serious liquidity. In 2025, they’re still a top dog, offering bespoke market-making services for everything from Bitcoin to the more exotic altcoins that are on the up. Cumberland’s meat and drink is OTC trades and big-block deals, serving up liquidity for hedge funds, exchanges, and token projects that need to move serious size without rocking the boat. A no-nonsense approach to risk management has enabled Cumberland to avoid the sort of slip-ups that have tainted the reputation of less experienced market makers. What makes Cumberland stand out is how calm they are under pressure. They’ve got the infrastructure to handle wild market swings and keep the order books steady. They’re certainly not flashy, but that’s the point: they’re reliable. For a token project trying to land on a tier-one exchange or a fund wanting to swap millions without slippage, Cumberland’s the steady hand you want. In a year where institutions are piling into crypto harder than ever, they’re the quiet force making it all work. Pick Your Market Maker Wisely If you’re shopping around for a market maker – and if you’re launching a token that’s a virtual certainty – it’s essential to pick the right provider. Don’t select a market maker purely on account of their size, reach, or reputation. All of these qualities matter, of course, but what’s more important is finding one that will take the time to understand your needs and then develop a solution that aligns with your needs and budget.Where will your token be trading initially – DEX or CEX? – and how long do you anticipate requiring market making services for? Will it be an initial burst to provide initial liquidity or is it something you anticipate needing on an ongoing basis? All of the market makers profiled here excel at what they do. Take the time to dive deeper into their core service, and if desired, speak to one or two of their clients to see whether they’d recommend them. Then you can reach out directly to your preferred market maker and start the conversation about what they can do for your token. Pick the right market maker and you’ll have a partner for life. Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice
