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There are thousands of crypto coins, from bitcoin and Ethereum to litecoin and solana. Just the sheer number of available cryptos can seem overwhelming when you’re new to investing.
Forbes Advisors developed cryptocurrency screens to show the best crypto to buy now if you’re looking for momentum as well as the top 10 cryptocurrencies with strong market caps and good project theses.
Cryptos To Buy or Watch Now
We filtered cryptocurrencies by utility or store of value, alongside trading momentum and other metrics, such as seven-day performance and 24-hour trading volume.
Our momentum screen for the best cryptos to invest in or watch is in the table below, ordered by 24-hour volume. These cryptos are not stablecoins, which are pegged to stable assets, nor are they wrapped (tokenized versions that run on nonnative blockchains) or liquid staking coins, which are given in return for staking.
While watching cryptocurrencies with momentum can be exciting, it’s important to recognise that cryptos are risk-on assets.
Editor’s Note: If you’re new to buying crypto, especially altcoins (anything other than bitcoin), research and invest carefully. The screen we’ve built helps highlight cryptos with momentum. But it’s still up to you to look into each one and decide whether it makes sense for your risk tolerance and investment goals.
Nic Puckrin, analyst and founder of The Coin Bureau, an educational platform for all things cryptocurrency and blockchain, highlights, “Bitcoin is the gold standard, the ‘risk-off’ crypto, while altcoins are much more volatile and risky.”
10 Best Cryptocurrencies To Invest In
While the table above shows momentum-driven cryptos, here is a broader selection of cryptocurrencies with utility or store-of-value thesis and a market cap greater than $5 billion. Cryptos with at least $5 billion in market cap are typically more stable with greater institutional adoption.
1. Cardano (ADA)
Market Cap: $12.56 billion
7-Day Change: -2.33%
Price News: As of 8:20 a.m. ET, the price of cardano, or 1 ADA, traded at $0.35. Cardano’s highest 52-week intraday price was $1.16 on January 17, 2025.
Cardano:
Cardano is a next-generation blockchain platform that aims to improve the limitations of earlier blockchains like bitcoin and Ethereum. ADA pioneered proof-of-stake validation to reduce environmental impact and supports smart contracts and DApps like Ethereum.
Cardano’s ADA token has had relatively modest growth compared to other major crypto coins. In 2017, ADA’s price hovered around In 2017, ADA’s price hovered $0.02. As of December 31, 2025, its price traded at $0.35, an increase of 1,513%.
Pros:
- Energy-efficient consensus model.
- Focus on real-world use cases.
Cons:
- Slow rollout of features compared to rivals.
- Smaller DApp ecosystem.
Market Dominance: 0.42%
2. BNB (BNB)
Market Cap: $119.29 billion
7-Day Change: 3.01%
Price News: BNB, or 1 BNB, traded at $866.10, as of 8:21 a.m. ET. The highest intraday price that BNB reached in the past year was $1,370.55 on October 13, 2025.
BNB:
Originally launched to pay trading fees on the Binance exchange, BNB has grown into a utility token used for transactions, payments and DApps within the Binance ecosystem.
As an added perk, users can get a discount on trading fees when using BNB on a Binance crypto exchange. But there’s also the utility aspect. The token can be used to pay transaction fees on the BNB Smart Chain, which supports smart contracts and DApps. From $0.12 in July 2017 to $866.10 on December 31, 2025, BNB has soared by 751,701%.
Pros:
- Binance’s growing ecosystem.
- Ongoing quarterly coin burns to reduce supply.
Cons:
- High reliance on Binance’s success.
- Regulatory scrutiny of centralized exchanges.
Market Dominance: 3.98%
3. Bitcoin (BTC)
Market Cap: $1.77 trillion
7-Day Change: 1.71%
Price News: Bitcoin stood at $88,755.34 per coin as of 8:20 a.m. ET, with its annual high being $126,198.07 on October 6, 2025.
Bitcoin:
Created in 2009 by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto, bitcoin is the original and most recognized cryptocurrency.
The “OG” of crypto runs on a decentralized blockchain network. The network uses an energy-intensive, proof-of-work consensus system. On the network, miners validate transactions on the chain by solving complex puzzles. For each validated block, miners earn a reward of 3.125 BTC per block, currently worth $277,360.43.
The proof-of-work consensus model is often criticized for its carbon footprint. The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates that crypto mining, which bitcoin uses, represents up to 2.3% of U.S. electricity consumption. BTC has risen from roughly $0.06 in July 2010 to around $88,755.34 as of December 31, 2025, with a staggering increase of 143,539,606%.
Pros:
- Viewed as a “digital gold” and a store of value.
- High liquidity and market stability relative to other coins.
Cons:
- High energy consumption due to the proof-of-work system.
- Slower transaction speed and higher fees compared to newer networks.
Market Dominance: 59.15%
4. Polkadot (DOT)
Market Cap: $3.00 billion
7-Day Change: 4.72%
Price News: Polkadot’s price was $1.82 at 8:20 a.m. ET. Its highest point in the past year came on January 6, 2025, when it hit $7.98.
Polkadot:
Launched by Ethereum co-founder Gavin Wood in 2020, polkadot is designed to unify previously siloed blockchains.
Polkadot’s network facilitates the transfer of tokens and data between major chains like Ethereum and bitcoin. At the core of polkadot are parachains: customizable, independent blockchains that offload processing demand while leveraging polkadot’s security infrastructure. Polkadot’s price when it launched in August 2020 was $2.79. Today it trades at $1.82 for a gain of -35%.
Pros:
- Enables confidential computing for sensitive data (such as health records).
- A unique network that supports scalability and specialization.
Cons:
- Complex architecture.
- Still a developing ecosystem compared to Ethereum.
Market Dominance: <0.01%
5. Ethereum (ETH)
Market Cap: $360.84 billion
7-Day Change: 2.05%
Price News: Ethereum traded at $2,989.65 as of 8:20 a.m. ET. The highest price in the last 12 months was $4,953.73, reached on August 24, 2025.
Ethereum:
Ethereum harnesses a powerful blockchain platform for building decentralized applications, known as DApps. This crypto was the brainchild of Vitalik Buterin, created to apply blockchain technology to programmability.
So, how is Ethereum used in the programming world? Well, developers use Ethereum for smart contracts. These are self-executing agreements coded directly onto the blockchain. There are many use cases for DApps, as they can be applied to finance, supply chain management and more.
Ether is the native coin on the network. Developers use ETH to pay “gas” fees. These fees compensate network validators for their computational work in completing transactions and smart contracts. From $2.83 in August 2015 to about $2,989.65 as of December 31, 2025, ETH has grown by 105,562%.
Pros:
- Large developer ecosystem.
- A vast array of tokens and services use the Ethereum network.
Cons:
- Scaling challenges (a.k.a. large volumes of traffic can cause bottlenecks).
- High gas fees.
Market Dominance: 12.04%
6. Litecoin (LTC)
Market Cap: $5.98 billion
7-Day Change: 2.03%
Price News: Litecoin traded at $78.02 as of 8:20 a.m. ET. Its yearly high was $140.62 on January 17, 2025.
Litecoin:
Launched in 2011 by former Google engineer Charlie Lee, litecoin is often referred to as “digital silver” to bitcoin’s “digital gold.” Built on bitcoin’s source code, litecoin offers faster block times at 2.5 minutes per block compared to bitcoin’s 10 minutes. Like bitcoin, litecoin uses a proof-of-work consensus and undergoes halving events. It’s worth mentioning that LTC has a capped supply of 84 million coins. Currently, there are 76.7 million LTC in circulation.
LTC is up 1,714% since April 27, 2013. That’s the earliest recorded price on CoinMarketCap, even though the crypto was originally launched in October 2011.
Pros:
- Faster transactions than bitcoin.
- Long-standing credibility and network stability.
Cons:
- Limited innovation compared to newer blockchains.
- Faces stiff competition from faster networks.
Market Dominance: 0.20%
7. Solana (SOL)
Market Cap: $70.98 billion
7-Day Change: 3.20%
Price News: At 8:20 a.m. ET, 1 SOL was priced at $126.09. The highest price that solana hit was $294.33 on January 19, 2025.
Solana:
Solana is designed for speed and scalability, using a hybrid proof-of-stake and proof-of-history system to process thousands of transactions per second.
SOL is recovering developer and user activity despite its well-known network outages of the past. Fans of solana will believe it’s a good alternative to Ethereum, rivaling its competitor in terms of speed and cost factors. Since its launch in 2020, Solana has risen to $126.09 as of December 31, 2025, for a gain of 57,214%.
Pros:
- Active DeFi and non-fungible token ecosystems.
- Innovative consensus model.
Cons:
- Periodic network outages and stability issues.
- Centralization concerns due to validator control.
Market Dominance: 2.37%
8. TRON (TRX)
Market Cap: $26.82 billion
7-Day Change: -0.02%
Price News: As of 8:20 a.m. E.T., 1 TRX was worth $0.28. Its highest value in the past year occurred on August 14, 2025, hitting $0.37.
TRON:
Tron originally launched in 2017 on the Ethereum token network until it moved to its own chain. Its proof-of-stake consensus makes it energy efficient, while TRX, its native token, fuels transactions and smart contracts.
One of the original premises of the crypto was to help original content creators receive income for their work. The platform supports smart contracts and DApps.
TRX has grown from $0.0019 in 2017 to about $0.28 as of December 31, 2025.
Pros:
- Low-cost transactions.
- Strong presence in the entertainment and gaming sectors.
Cons:
- Leadership under Justin Sun. The Securities and Exchange Commission charged Sun in 2023 with alleged market manipulation regarding the supply of TRX.
- Fewer institutional use cases than competitors.
Market dominance: 0.90%
9. XRP (XRP)
Market Cap: $113.79 billion
7-Day Change: 0.45%
Price News: XRP’s market price stood at $1.88 as of 8:20 a.m. ET, with a 12-month high of $3.65 set on July 17, 2025.
XRP:
XRP was created by Ripple Labs to facilitate fast and low-cost, cross-border payments. It acts as a bridge between currencies, enabling instant transfers with minimal fees.
Unlike bitcoin and other mined cryptos, XRP tokens enter circulation whenever Ripple chooses to sell coins. For that reason, there are concerns over the centralized nature that controls XRP’s supply.XRP hit $1.88 on December 31, 2025, up 31,827% since August 2013.
Pros:
- Strong use case in global finance.
- Backed by institutional partnerships.
Cons:
- Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen, worth $7.6 billion, owns a sizable portion of XRP.
- Centralization concerns due to Ripple’s control over XRP’s supply.
Market dominance: 3.80%
10. Lido Staked ETH (stETH)
Market Cap: $26.30 billion
7-Day Change: 1.92%
Price News: Lido Staked ETH was priced at $2,986.34 at 8:21 a.m. ET, with its highest intraday level over the past year being $4,940 on August 24, 2025.
Lido Staked ETH:
It’s true to its name of being a token with a staked ETH value. StETH allows Ethereum holders to earn staking rewards while keeping their assets liquid. One of the drawbacks of “normal” Ethereum staking is that you need 32 ETH ($95,669) to stake, and it has varying lock-up periods. According to Coinbase Exchange, lock-up periods range from a few hours to a few days.
The perk of stETH is accruing staking rewards and liquidity on DeFi platforms. But stETH’s large share of staked ETH has raised concerns about decentralization. That said, stETH remains a popular option for crypto investors seeking passive income.StETH has grown from $594 in December 2020 to about $2,986.34 as of December 31, 2025. The token attempts to mirror ETH’s price.
Pros:
- Earns staking rewards while staying liquid.
- Can be used across major DeFi protocols.
Cons:
- Centralization concerns due to Lido’s dominance.
- Subject to Ethereum performance.
Market dominance: <0.01%
Methodology
To determine our list of top cryptocurrencies, we applied a series of screeners designed to highlight assets that demonstrate both market momentum and a credible underlying thesis. Our methodology focuses exclusively on cryptocurrencies with an investment thesis. These are projects whose value is expected to appreciate over time as adoption and utility grow.
Market Capitalization:
We used market capitalization as a primary screening tool. Bitcoin and Ethereum, widely recognized as the “gold and silver” of crypto, currently hold the largest market caps, at $1.8 trillion and $360.8 billion, respectively. Together accounting for approximately 71% of the total cryptocurrency market.
But our focus extends beyond the top two. To capture promising but relatively stable projects, we looked at crypto assets in the midcap to large-cap range. Given crypto’s higher volatility, we chose a more conservative cutoff: screening only for projects with a market cap of at least $5 billion.
Market Momentum:
We evaluated whether a cryptocurrency has shown positive performance over the past seven days with high 24-hour trade volumes. These metrics help to identify assets with current investor interest and potential growth.
Investment Thesis:
We considered the fundamental purpose of each crypto asset. For example, bitcoin is widely recognized as a store of value, whereas Ethereum serves as a platform for decentralized applications, including smart contracts and NFTs. For that reason, we excluded:
- Stablecoins
- Wrapped cryptocurrencies
- Liquid staking cryptos
- Meme coins
How Does Cryptocurrency Work?
Cryptocurrencies are various forms of digital money that are usually based on blockchain technology. Blockchain technology allows most cryptocurrencies to exist as “trustless” forms of transactions. This means there is no centralized authority overseeing the transactions on a cryptocurrency’s blockchain.
Why Are There So Many Cryptocurrencies?
Cryptocurrency is an emerging area with more than 17,000 crypto coins in existence, according to Coingecko.
While some cryptos function as currencies, others are used to develop infrastructure. For instance, in the case of Ethereum or solana, developers are building other cryptos on top of these platform currencies, and that creates even more possibilities and cryptos.
How To Choose the Best Crypto To Invest In
When choosing the best cryptocurrency to invest in, it is important to consider your individual goals, investment timeline and risk profile, just as you would with any investment. Additionally, you should do your due diligence to make sure that any crypto project you are interested in is legitimate and secure.
In general, investors should consider the following when evaluating crypto:
- Market capitalization.
- Liquidity
- Security
- Use case
Investors should focus on cryptocurrencies that “solve problems, have strong infrastructure or legal positioning, and are building with the next wave of adoption in mind,” says Pablo Gerboles Parrilla, founding director of Alive DevOps, a software development company.
Most crypto experts, whether they work on crypto education or blockchains or are the CEO of a crypto wallet company, will tell you not to jump on the latest “hot” crypto trend, especially when it comes to meme coins.
“Most meme coin investments are quick pump-and-dump schemes, so even experienced investors get burned. Instead, go for blue-chip cryptocurrencies, like bitcoin or solana, and never invest more than you can afford to lose. If you want to experiment with altcoins, treat them as a small experimental addition to your portfolio and diversify,” Puckrin advises.
How To Invest in Cryptocurrency?
You can buy cryptocurrencies through crypto exchanges, such as Coinbase, Binance or Gemini. In addition, some brokerages, such as Webull and Robinhood, also allow consumers to buy cryptocurrencies.
Best Crypto Exchange
How Much Does It Cost To Buy Cryptocurrency?
How much it costs to buy cryptocurrency depends on several factors, including which crypto you are buying. Many small altcoins trade for a fraction of a cent, while a single bitcoin will cost you $88,755. However, many brokerages and exchanges now allow fractional trading, offering investors the option to buy a portion of a cryptocurrency.
There are also often costs and fees associated with having a crypto wallet and/or an account on a brokerage or crypto exchange. Be sure that you understand all of the costs associated with buying and holding any cryptocurrency before you invest.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When we first think of crypto, we usually think of bitcoin. That’s because bitcoin represents more than 59% of the total cryptocurrency market. So when we talk about any cryptos outside of bitcoin, all of those cryptos are considered altcoins.
Ethereum, for instance, is regarded as the most popular altcoin.
How does trading cryptocurrencies differ from trading stocks?
While you can invest in cryptocurrencies, they differ a great deal from traditional investments, like stocks. When you buy stock, you are buying a share of ownership of a company, which means you’re entitled to do things like vote on the direction of the company. If that company goes bankrupt, you may also receive some compensation once its creditors have been paid from its liquidated assets.
Buying cryptocurrency doesn’t grant you ownership over anything except the token itself; it’s more like exchanging one form of currency for another. If the crypto loses its value, you won’t receive anything after the fact.
There are several other key differences to keep in mind:
- Trading hours. Stocks are only traded during stock exchange hours, typically 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. Cryptocurrency markets never close. So you can trade 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Regulation. Stocks are regulated financial products, meaning a governing body verifies their credentials and their finances are matters of public record. By contrast, cryptocurrencies are not regulated investment vehicles, so you may not be aware of the inner dynamics of your crypto or the developers working on it.
- Volatility. Both stocks and cryptocurrency involve risk; you can lose some or even all of the money you invest. However, stocks are directly linked to companies and generally rise and fall based on those companies’ performance. Cryptocurrency prices are more speculative. No one is quite sure of their value yet. That makes them much more volatile and affected by something as small as a celebrity’s tweet.
Why are cryptocurrencies important?
The initial premise of cryptocurrency was to fix the problems with traditional currencies: being centralized and requiring intermediaries. Bitcoin is one of the most successful applications of blockchain technology. Its creation of a trustless system removed the need for a central authority.
Today, there is a whole host of utility cryptocurrencies that have sprung up with their own blockchain. These innovations go beyond just addressing the original thesis of decentralization of finance. For example, Ethereum’s network provides an infrastructure for developers to build everything from NFTs to smart contracts.