Navigating the cryptocurrency landscape can be daunting, given the various cryptocurrencies available, ranging from Bitcoin and Ethereum to Dogecoin and Tether, among thousands of others. To simplify your initiation into the crypto universe, here’s a list of the top 10 cryptocurrencies worth considering for investment, ranked by their market capitalisation. This represents the cumulative value of all coins presently in circulation.
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Market Capitalization: $1.3 trillion
- About: Bitcoin, also known as BTC, is the first cryptocurrency ever created. It was introduced in 2009 by an individual or group known as Satoshi Nakamoto. Like many other cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin operates on a technology called blockchain. This kind of digital ledger records transactions and is distributed across a network of numerous computers. The security of Bitcoin is maintained through proof of work, which involves solving complex cryptographic puzzles to verify transactions added to the ledger. This process helps to keep Bitcoin safe from fraudulent activities.
- Price Evolution: The price of Bitcoin has increased significantly since its inception. Back in May 2016, one Bitcoin was approximately $500. Fast-forward to March 19, 2024, and the price of a single Bitcoin has soared to around $63,780. This represents a staggering growth of 12,656%.
- Ethereum (ETH)
- Market Capitalization: $422.5 billion
- About: Ethereum, also known as ETH, is a cryptocurrency and a platform based on blockchain technology. Due to its potential uses, it is highly popular among software developers. For instance, it can facilitate ‘smart contracts’ that are automatically carried out when certain conditions are fulfilled, and it supports non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which are unique digital assets.
- Price Evolution: Ethereum has seen an impressive surge in its value. Back in April 2016, the price of one Ethereum was roughly $11. By the end of March 2024, the price of a single Ethereum has climbed to approximately $3,507. This represents a remarkable growth of 29,935%.
- Tether (USDT)
- Market Capitalization: $104.5 billion
- About: Tether, also known as USDT, stands out from many other cryptocurrencies because it’s a stablecoin. This means it’s backed by real-world assets like the U.S. dollar or the Euro and designed to maintain a value equivalent to one of these currencies. Theoretically, this makes Tether’s value more stable compared to other cryptocurrencies. This stability is appreciated by investors who are cautious about the high volatility often associated with other digital coins.
- Solana (SOL)
- Market Capitalization: $85.5 billion
- About: Solana, represented by the token SOL, is a unique cryptocurrency designed to support decentralised finance (DeFi), decentralised applications (DApps), and smart contracts. It operates on a distinctive hybrid mechanism that combines proof-of-stake and proof-of-history, enabling it to process transactions rapidly and securely. The platform is powered by its native token, SOL.
- Price Evolution: Solana debuted in 2020 with an initial price of $0.77 for each SOL token. Fast-forward to late March 2024, and the price of a single SOL token has escalated to approximately $183.10. This translates to a remarkable increase of 23,679%.
- Binance Coin (BNB)
- Market Capitalization: $92.26 billion
- About: Binance Coin, also known as BNB, is a type of cryptocurrency that can be used for trading and paying transaction fees on Binance, one of the world’s biggest cryptocurrency exchanges. Since its inception in 2017, Binance Coin has evolved beyond just facilitating transactions on Binance’s platform. Today, it can be used for a variety of purposes, including trading, processing payments, and even making travel bookings. Additionally, it can be traded or exchanged for other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum or Bitcoin.
- Price Evolution: Binance Coin’s price has significantly increased since its launch. In 2017, the price of one BNB was only $0.10. However, by the end of March 2024, the cost of a single BNB has surged to approximately $520. This represents an astounding growth of 519,590%.
- XRP (XRP)
- Market Capitalization: $34.65 billion
- About: XRP is a cryptocurrency developed by some individuals who founded Ripple, a company specialising in digital technology and payment processing. XRP can be utilised within the Ripple network to exchange currencies, including traditional fiat currencies and other prominent cryptocurrencies.
- Price Evolution: The value of XRP has significantly increased over the years. In early 2017, the price of one XRP was just $0.006. However, by March 19, 2024, the price of a single XRP had risen to approximately $0.60. This represents a substantial growth of 9,868%.
- U.S. Dollar Coin (USDC)
- Market Capitalization: $34.42 billion
- About: Similar to Tether, the U.S. Dollar Coin, or USDC, is a stable coin backed by U.S. dollars. It aims to maintain a value equivalent to one USD. USDC operates on the Ethereum platform and can be used to complete global transactions.
- Avalanche (AVAX)
- Market Capitalization: $20.16 billion
- About: Avalanche stands out for its fast transaction speeds and low transaction fees. It also has a substantial total value locked (TVL), which is the amount of money deposited in decentralised finance (DeFi). A high TVL indicates a protocol’s popularity and a particular cryptocurrency’s adoption rate. The current price of Avalanche is $53.
- Cardano (ADA)
- Market Capitalization: $23.62 billion
- About: Cardano, also known as ADA, joined the crypto scene a bit later than others but is notable for its early adoption of proof-of-stake validation. This method speeds up transaction time and reduces energy usage and environmental impact by eliminating transaction verification’s competitive, problem-solving aspect found in platforms like Bitcoin. Cardano, like Ethereum, enables smart contracts and decentralised applications powered by its native coin, ADA.
- Price Evolution: Cardano’s ADA token has seen relatively modest growth compared to other major cryptocurrencies. In 2017, its price was $0.002. As of March 19, 2024, it was $0.62, marking an increase of 3,012%.
- Dogecoin (DOGE)
- Market Capitalization: $30.69 billion
- About: Dogecoin, which started as a joke in 2013, quickly evolved into a notable cryptocurrency thanks to a dedicated community and creative memes. Unlike many other cryptocurrencies, there is no limit on the number of Dogecoins that can be created, which makes the currency susceptible to devaluation as supply increases.
- Price Evolution: Dogecoin’s price in 2017 was $0.0002. By March 2024, it had risen to $0.21, an increase of 68,140%.
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