With thousands of cryptocurrencies from Bitcoin and Ethereum to Dogecoin and Tether, entering the crypto world can feel overwhelming. Here’s a look at the top 10 cryptocurrencies, ranked by market capitalization—the total value of all coins in circulation—to help you understand the landscape.
1. Bitcoin (BTC)
- Market cap: $1.6 trillion
- Year-over-year return: 27%
Bitcoin (BTC), created in 2009 by Satoshi Nakamoto, is the original cryptocurrency. Like most cryptocurrencies, BTC operates on a blockchain, a distributed ledger that records transactions across a network of thousands of computers. Bitcoin’s security comes from its use of a cryptographic puzzle-solving process, known as proof of work, which verifies additions to the ledger, protecting it from fraud. As Bitcoin has become a household name, its price has soared. In May 2016, one Bitcoin cost around $500; as of March 4, 2025, it was approximately $82,791—a tremendous growth of 16,458%.
2. Ethereum (ETH)
- Market cap: $248.9 billion
- Year-over-year return: -41%
Ethereum is both a cryptocurrency and a blockchain platform. The potential applications, like smart contracts that automatically execute when certain conditions are met and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), make it a favorite of program developers. Ethereum has also experienced considerable growth. From April 2016 to the end of March 2025, its price increased from about $11 to around $2,064, representing an 18,664% increase.
3. Tether (USDT)
- Market cap: $142.4 billion
- Year-over-year return: 0%
Tether (USDT), a stablecoin is different from other cryptocurrencies. It is backed by fiat currencies like the U.S. dollar and the Euro. Theoretically, it aims to maintain a value equal to one of those denominations. This suggests that Tether’s value is more steady than other cryptocurrencies. For those worried about the high volatility of other coins, Tether is favored by investors.
4. XRP (XRP)
- Market cap: $134.7 billion
- Year-over-year return: 255%
XRP was created by some of the same founders as Ripple, a digital technology and payment processing business. On that network, XRP helps facilitate exchanges of many different currency types, including fiat currencies and other leading cryptocurrencies. In early 2017, XRP cost $0.006. By March 4, 2025, the price reached $2.32—an increase of 38,645%.
5. Binance Coin (BNB)
- Market cap: $80.8 billion
- Year-over-year return: 36%
Binance Coin (BNB) is a cryptocurrency you can utilize for trading and paying fees on Binance, a large crypto exchange globally. Since its 2017 launch, Binance Coin has expanded past just handling trades on Binance. Now, you ca use it for payment processing, trading, or even booking travel arrangements. Also, you can trade it or exchange it for currencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum. BNB’s 2017 price started at $0.10. Its price had risen to around $567 by late March 2025, representing a gain of 566,938%.
6. Solana (SOL)
- Market cap: $69.1 billion
- Year-over-year return: 4%
Solana was developed to help power decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, decentralized apps (DApps), and smart contracts. It uses a unique hybrid proof-of-stake and proof-of-history design. This results in fast and secure transactions. The platform is powered by SOL, Solana’s native token. When it launched in 2020, SOL’s price started at $0.77 until its price reaching around $136.12 by late March 2025, which indicates a gain of 17,577%.
7. U.S. Dollar Coin (USDC)
- Market cap: $56.3 billion
- Year-over-year return: 0%
USD Coin (USDC) is a stablecoin similar to Tether. Just like Tether, it is backed by U.S. dollars and aims for a 1 USD to 1 USDC ratio, which is powered by Ethereum. You can also use USD Coin for completing global transactions.
8. Cardano (ADA)
- Market cap: $28.4 billion
- Year-over-year return: 3%
Cardano (ADA) began relatively later to the crypto scene but is notable from early on for its embrace of proof-of-stake validation. Removing the competitive aspect of transaction verification in platforms like Bitcoin, this method enhances transaction speed and lowers energy use. Cardano also acts like Ethereum to enable applications and smart contracts which is powered by ADA, its native coin. Compared to other leading crypto coins, Cardano’s ADA token has experienced relatively modest growth. In 2017, ADA’s price was $0.02. As of March 4, 2025, its price was at $0.81—which is an increase of 3,929%.
9. Dogecoin (DOGE)
- Market cap: $28.3 billion
- Year-over-year return: 17%
Dogecoin famously started as a joke in 2013; however, it rapidly turned into a prominent cryptocurrency, thanks to its creative memes and a committed community. The number of Dogecoins that can be created is unlimited, which leaves the currency open to devaluation as supply grows, unlike many cryptos. Dogecoin’s price in 2017 was $0.0002. By March 2025, its price was at $0.19—an increase of 95,216%.
10. TRON (TRX)
- Market cap: $20.1 billion
- Year-over-year return: 67%
TRON is a blockchain much like Solana designed to run other DeFi applications and smart contracts Its native cryptocurrency powers its proof-of-stake consensus algorithm. TRX is the platform’s native cryptocurrency, which powers its proof-of-stake consensus algorithm. Founded in 2017, TRX initially cost $0.0019 per token. At its 2018 peak, TRX spiked to $0.2245, representing a gain of 11,715% in a few months. Currently, TRX is valued around $0.23.
Market caps and pricing sourced from coinmarketcap.com, current as of 9:31 a.m. UTC on Mar. 4, 2025.
What Are Cryptocurrencies?
Cryptocurrency is a form of currency existing solely in digital form. Cryptocurrency can be used to pay for purchases online without going through an intermediary like a bank. It can also be held as an investment.
How Does Cryptocurrency Work?
Cryptocurrencies are different forms of digital money usually based on blockchain technology. Blockchain technology allows most cryptocurrencies to exist as “trustless” transactions. This means that there is no centralized authority overseeing transactions on a cryptocurrency’s blockchain.
Why Are There So Many Cryptocurrencies?
Cryptocurrency is an emerging area; as of March 2024, there are more than 9,000 crypto projects. While some crypto function as currencies, others are used to develop infrastructure. For instance, developers are building other cryptos on top of the platform currencies such as Ethereum or Solana, creating more opportunities (and cryptos).
Pros and Cons of Cryptocurrency
There are both advantages and disadvantages to investing in cryptocurrencies. Common ones an investor may encounter include:
Pros
- Decentralization
- Accessibility
- Potentially high returns
- Transaction speed
Cons
- High energy usage associated with mining
- Evolving government regulations
- Price volatility
- Prevalence of scams and fraud
How To Choose the Best Crypto To Invest In
Similar to any investment when choosing the best cryptocurrency to invest in, it is important to consider individual goals, investing timeline, and risk profile. Additionally, you should do your research to make certain that any crypto project you are interested in is secure and legitimate. Generally, at the time investors are evaluating crypto that involves the following should be considered:
- Market capitalization
- Liquidity
- Security
- Use case
When exploring cryptocurrency investments, first consider the exchanges where the token is listed. Tokens that are featured on exchanges in major markets often offer better liquidity. This attracts larger investors and also reaches a more broad audience, increasing the base of potential buyers. – Maksym Repa, analyst at Symbolic Capital
How to Invest in Cryptocurrency?
You can invest in cryptocurrencies with brokerages or crypto exchanges such as Gemini, Coinbase or Kraken, etc. Some brokerages such as WeBull and Robinhood also allow consumers to buy cryptocurrencies.
How Much Does It Cost to Buy Cryptocurrency?
The cost of buying cryptocurrency will depend on multiple factors including which crypto you are buying. Although a single Bitcoin will cost tens of thousands of dollars, many smaller altcoins trade for just a fraction of a cent. However, certain exchanges and brokerages enable investors to purchase a portion of a cryptocurrency by offering fractional trading. Certain fees and costs will also be associated with maintaining an account on a brokerage or crypto exchange, and/or having a crypto wallet. You should understand all of the costs that are associated with holding and buying before you invest in any cryptocurrency.
How to Report Crypto on Taxes
It’s important to pay close attention to cryptocurrency tax rules if you buy and sell coins. Cryptocurrency is treated as a capital asset like stocks instead of cash. That means if you sell cryptocurrency for a profit, you will have to pay capital gains taxes. This is the case even if you use your crypto to pay for a purchase. If you receive a greater value for it than you paid, you’ll owe taxes on the difference.
Crypto Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does trading cryptocurrencies differ from trading stocks?
When you’re buying cryptocurrency it’s like exchanging one form of currency for another because it doesn’t give you ownership over anything. Cryptocurrency trading varies from more traditional investments like stocks. If the crypto loses its value, you won’t receive anything later on. Below are some key differences:
- Trading hours: Typically, stocks trade during stock exchange hours which are from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm ET, Monday through Friday. Cryptocurrency markets don’t close, so trading can happen 24 hours a day, and seven days a week.
- Regulation: Cryptocurrency is not a regulated investment vehicle. Therefore, you may not be aware of your crypto’s inner dynamics, or the developers working on your crypto, but stocks are regulated financial products. A governing body verifies credentials, and their finances are matters of public record.
- Volatility: Both stocks and cryptocurrency involve risk; the money you invest can lose value. However, stocks are directly connected to companies and generally rise and fall based on the performance of those companies. No one is quite certain of their value; therefore, cryptocurrency prices are more speculative, which makes them volatile and affected by something as small as a tweet from a celebrity.
Are there cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds?
Because of the high volatility associated with most of them, it’s understandable that you might wish to take a diversified approach to minimize the risk you might lose money. There are exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that trade in both bitcoin’s spot price and bitcoin futures.
What are altcoins?
Whenever we first think about crypto, usually we think about Bitcoin. Bitcoin represents more than 45% of the crypto market, so any cryptos outside of Bitcoin are considered altcoins. Ethereum for instance, is seen as the most popular altcoin.
Why is bitcoin valuable?
Bitcoin is valuable partly due to its scarcity. Bitcoin’s maximum supply is limited to 21 million coins, and currently, there are 19 million coins in circulation. When a miner has successfully mined a single block, they get a set Bitcoin amount to create supply. To be exact, miners are issued 6.25 BTC. The rewards given for mining Bitcoin are cut in half almost every four years, which keeps the process in check.
Why are cryptocurrencies important?
While Bitcoin was initially constructed to fix issues with traditional currencies, there’s now a range of utility cryptocurrencies, resulting from the creation of the blockchain.
