Cryptocurrencies have become a dime a dozen in 2022. In fact, Statista.com estimates that there are currently over 10,000 cryptocurrencies in operation today. That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 so important to separate the wheat from the chaff. Especially if you鈥檙e a first-time investor who is unable to tell the difference between the best performing cryptocurrencies, and a sneaky Ponzi scheme posing as the next crypto token going to the moon.
With this in mind, we will take a look at 10 of the most popular cryptos that have cemented themselves as viable investment options in 2022. These coins not only boast a secure decentralized platform, but also a high level of transparency in transactions.
This article will include the following cryptocurrencies:
10. Polkadot
Like several cryptocurrencies today, Polkadot serves as both a token and a decentralized protocol. It was founded in 2016 by former Ethereum co-creator, Gavin Wood. The protocol was officially launched on the 26th of May, 2020.
Polkadot鈥檚 open-source code is maintained by the nonprofit organization, Web3 Foundation, and is designed to enable unrelated blockchains to communicate with each other. This way, data can flow between Bitcoin and Cardano without requiring an intermediary.
Polkadot is designed to be fast and expandible; so that parallel blockchains can process a lot of data and not overwhelm the primary blockchain鈥搊r relay chain. This is why Polkadot can process as many as 1000 transactions per second as compared to Bitcoin鈥檚 seven transactions per second.
Since its launch in 2020, the Polkadot Token (DOT) has experienced steady growth in its value. Today, it has a price of $16.56 per token but the price of this top crypto is expected to more than quadruple by 2025 to about $78 per token.
9. Avalanche
Launched in 2009, Avalanche is a smart-contract enabled and programmable platform. It鈥檚 designed to enhance eco-friendliness, improve transaction speeds, lower costs, and boost security. And this is why it deserves an honorable spot in our crypto top 10 list.
Users on Avalanche can construct several customizable blockchains known as 鈥榮ubnets鈥� which they then operate on the Avalanche platform. But before they do so, they must first pay a subscription fee to access this option using the native coin, AVAX.
Avalanche is capable of powering several applications like NFTS, Defi protocols, and stablecoins. One of the reasons why Avalanche is extremely popular is because of its compatibility with Ethereum鈥檚 programming language, Solidity. This means that you can migrate from Ethereum and deploy either public or private blockchains on Avalanche. Avalanche鈥檚 blockchain commands much greater speeds, boasting up to 45000 transactions per second compared to Ethereum鈥檚 30. Currently, the AVAX coin has a price value of $73.13. However, it鈥檚 estimated by 2025, this top 10 crypto coin could have a value of $305 per token.
8. Terra
Terra was launched in 2018 by co-founders Daniel Shin and Do Kwon. It鈥檚 one of the most popular cryptocurrencies. Supported by the Terra Alliance, the platform aims to be a global payment network that will support efficient blockchain and e-commerce payment solutions.
Terra鈥檚 native coin is LUNA; a protocol token used to maintain the stability and security of the Terra blockchain. LUNA is also the avenue through which other stablecoins like the USD dollar, the Japanese Yen, the South Korean Won, the British pound, and the Euro are collateralized. This is why Terra has gradually become a global financial payment network.
Today, a LUNA token has a price value of $79.68. But analysts predict that this top cryptocurrency could have a value of up to $200 by 2025.
7. XRP (Ripple)
In 2011, developers David Schwartz, Jed McCaleb, and Arthur Britto engineered the XRP ledger. This blockchain was officially launched in 2012, with XRP becoming its native cryptocurrency. Today, XRP can either be bought as a means of transacting on the Ripple network (which was later founded by McCaleb and Britto), an asset for exchange with other cryptocurrencies or as an investment to hold as the price rises.
Unlike other cryptocurrencies which avail transaction ledgers to anyone that computes mathematical problems quickly, XRP鈥檚 Ripple takes a more centralized approach. There are 35 trusted validators from which users can choose to verify their transactions. However, the Ripple network still allows users to create their list of trusted validators.
Ripple鈥檚 biggest appeal is its super-fast transaction confirmations. On average, confirmation takes four to five seconds, compared to the hours it takes for the verification of Bitcoin transactions. Ripple also has a diverse exchange network where transactions can be processed not only in XRP but also in crypto currencies and fiat currencies. As of March 2022, Ripple鈥檚 XRP has a price value of $0.72 but analysts predict this top cryptocurrency could hit $8 by 2025.
6. USD Coin
The USD Coin was first announced on the 15th of May 2018. It is a digital dollar that is pegged against the US dollar; meaning that it doesn鈥檛 require a specific geographical location or a bank account to be transacted. The USD Coin can be sent and transacted all over the world in a matter of minutes.
Being a programmable dollar, the coin has immense potential and application in several financial avenues and is a top 10 crypto to transact with. By writing lines of code, the USD Coin can be moved at a much faster, secure, and cheaper rate.
With the rapid digital transformation that we are undergoing today, the USD coin could potentially substitute the traditional US dollar as the international currency of trade and exchange.
5. Binance Coin
Binance Coin is the native asset of Binance, which is arguably the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world. Since its introduction in 2017, the Binance Coin has grown to become more than just a transaction asset within the Binance platform.
Today, Binance Coin is one of the most popular cryptocurrencies for trade, travel, payment processes, and shopping. It is also flexible enough to be traded for other popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum.
Binance Coin has recorded an exponential rise since it first debuted in 2017. At the time, a token was only $0.10 in value. Currently, the value is at $370.36 with analysts projecting it could top $975 by 2025.
4. Tether (USDT)
Tether or USDT was one of the top crypto stablecoins to join the market. It was founded in 2014 by co-creators Reeve Collins, Craig Sellars, and Brock Pierce.
Tether鈥檚 growth is widely accredited to the fact that it is backed by the US dollar. Most investors are attracted to the coin鈥檚 stability; as compared to other cryptocurrencies in the market which are extremely volatile. It is also much easier to convert between fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies using Tether.
Over the years, Tether has recorded increasing investor confidence and popularity. As of March 2022, it’s one of the best performing cryptocurrencies with a market cap of about $80.3 billion with more than 14.4 billion coins in circulation.
3. Cardano
Our list of top 10 cryptocurrencies brings us to Cardano. This blockchain network was founded in 2015 by yet another of Ethereum鈥檚 co-founders, Charles Hoskinson. Cardano鈥檚 popularity lies primarily in its secure proof-of-stake system. Over the years, it has gained the reputation of being the Ethereum killer because its blockchain boasts more features compared to the latter.
While it might not clinch the top spot when it comes to Defi applications, Cardano is making notable progress to become the world鈥檚 largest financial operating network creating applicable Defi solutions. Its primary target is financial and government institutions in the 3rd world; with aims of eliminating voter fraud, enhancing legal contract tracing, and ensuring transparency.
Cardano鈥檚 native token (ADA) currently has a price of $0.80, with analysts predicting that the token could record a high of up to $10 by 2025. So, it places 3rd place on the crypto top 10 list.
2. Solana
The recent growth of Solana can be credited to the rising popularity of Defi applications in the last two years, making it one of the most popular cryptos to invest in. In fact, Solana was created mainly to power smart contracts, D(Decentralized)Apps, and NFTs.
The platform uses a hybrid PoH (Proof of History) and PoS (Proof of Stake) mechanism that processes transactions at lightning speeds. It鈥檚 no wonder Solana boasts the fastest speeds of any blockchain network, clocking highs of up to 50,000 transactions per second. The network is also lauded to be secure, scalable, and commands very low transaction fees.
When it was first launched in 2020 by founder Anatoly Yakovenko, its native token (SOL) was priced at $0.77. As of March 2022, the price sits at $82.78 but Solana is projected to have one of the best cryptocurrency price leaps and sit at $137 by 2025.
1. Ethereum
Ethereum is undoubtedly one of the top 10 cryptocurrencies in today鈥檚 market. Founded by Vitalik Buterin, the platform ushered in the golden age of smart contracts and Defi applications.
Currently, the Ethereum blockchain runs thousands of decentralized applications that are used for different financial objectives around the world. Clients of the Ethereum blockchain range from banks, to financial institutions, and even insurance companies.
Ethereum鈥檚 native token is the Ether, and it has experienced steady growth since the blockchain network first launched in 2015. As of March 2022, the Ether is priced at $2,599. However, analysts strongly believe that the Ether could hit a high of $15,000 by 2025.
We hope that this article has given you an idea about the best cryptocurrency.
