It has been a tumultuous few years for crypto investors. After the market reached incredible heights over the pandemic and talk of Web3, NFTs, and digital currencies was everywhere, it soon came crashing down. 2024 marked the start of a potential recovery, with many coins — including bitcoin — reaching new highs and sparking hopes of a bull market.
If your optimism about cryptocurrency trading has been reignited by recent activities and you’re wondering how to proceed in 2025, we’ve got you covered. This article will run through the top cryptocurrencies to invest in before 2025, along with some general advice on crypto investing and insights on how a forex funded account can play a role in diversifying your investment strategy.
Introduction to cryptocurrencies
Before we get into the top cryptocurrencies to invest in, let’s take a moment to see what crypto is all about.
What are cryptocurrencies?
Cryptocurrencies are digital coins that act as a store of value. Some are designed to be used as an alternative to fiat currencies like the US dollar, while others are digital assets or serve a function within a blockchain system.
But they all have one crucial thing in common — they’re part of a decentralized network. Instead of a centralized authority like a bank overseeing the management of the currency, a network of computers has this control, eliminating the need for a middleman.
The evolution of blockchain technology
The very first and best-known blockchain was bitcoin. Bitcoin operates using a proof of work (PoW) system, meaning that to verify transactions on the blockchain, computers in the network must solve a series of algorithms. They’re then compensated with bitcoins, so the process is known as mining.
However, the blockchain world has moved on a lot since, and many other kinds of blockchain platforms have emerged.
For instance, many platforms now use proof of stake (PoS) instead, which validates transactions through “validators” in their network who put down coins to say whether a transaction is legitimate or not. We’ll cover this in more detail shortly, as it can be an additional way to make money from cryptocurrencies and a key concept in prop trading.
Blockchain technology has continued to advance since then, with fresh innovations to make platforms as efficient as possible and suitable for all kinds of purposes.
Why invest in cryptocurrencies?
There are a few reasons you may want to invest in cryptocurrencies:
- To make money. As with any kind of investing, the most common goal is to make money. Since the crypto market is infamously volatile, there’s the chance for huge returns — but it’s also a lot riskier than simpler investments like stocks.
- To support developers. By investing in a cryptocurrency, you’re funding the team behind it and helping to promote the technology. This is a major motivator among
- Interest and community. Since cryptocurrencies are built on decentralized networks, community is a pivotal part of their platforms. Many enjoy being a part of this.
Analyzing market potential
We’ll give some concrete recommendations of top cryptocurrencies shortly. But instead of accepting them at face value, it’s important to understand how to analyze the market and the value of different coins for yourself.
Market capitalization of major cryptocurrencies
The market capitalization of a cryptocurrency describes the value of coins in circulation. To calculate this, multiply the number of coins in circulation by the value of one coin.
This metric is often used to compare which cryptocurrencies are the most valuable and relevant.
Understanding cryptocurrency market trends
But analyzing the market potential of cryptocurrencies is about more than just numbers. It also requires an understanding of current trends, which influence how other investors use their money.
Some cryptocurrency market trends to be aware of include:
- The growth of decentralized finance (DeFi)
- Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) in art, gaming, and more
- The metaverse (virtual worlds, which may be built on the blockchain)
- Web3 (the third iteration of the internet, which will be decentralized)
- Central bank digital currencies
- Government regulation of cryptocurrencies
- Financial institutions investing in cryptocurrencies and researching how to use them
- Interactions between different blockchains
The role of decentralized applications (dApps) in crypto growth
As blockchain technology has advanced, one of the major trends has been the rise of decentralized apps, also known as dApps. This term describes any kind of application that runs on the blockchain instead of a central server, meaning they’re not vulnerable to the decisions of a single company or group.
They may be used for social media, gaming, finance, and more.
dApps are one potential use case of cryptocurrencies, which may be used to power the app (such as providing financial incentives for the community to keep the app going) or for payments within the app.
Demand for apps can drive up demand for the cryptocurrencies associated with them. For instance, Axie Infinity is a blockchain game, and it has a few digital coins that serve different purposes in the app, including Axie Infinity Shards (AXS) and Smooth Love Potion (SLP).
Top cryptocurrencies with high potential
Below, we’ve detailed 10 major cryptocurrencies with the potential to skyrocket in 2025.
Bitcoin (btc) – the original cryptocurrency
As mentioned in the introduction, 2024 has been a great year for bitcoin. It rose to a new high of $73,750 in 2024 after plummeting to below $20,000 in the bear market of 2022.
There were a few relevant events for bitcoin in 2024. Bitcoin spot ETFs were approved in January and there was a halving event to reduce mining rewards in April. Bitcoin has also benefited from stock market growth as it tends to move in line with the market in general.
Plus, since bitcoin is the best-known digital coin and the market leader, it tends to be the first coin investors put money in when they want exposure to the cryptocurrency market in general. So, any renewed interest in cryptocurrency from investors seems to affect bitcoin first. The prices of other coins tend to move in line with the price of bitcoin.
Ethereum (eth) – smart contracts and dApps
Ethereum hasn’t had quick as much luck as bitcoin, as the coin has struggled to match its previous heights.
However, many are optimistic about the coin’s long-term potential. While bitcoin was introduced primarily as an alternative currency, it is now being used primarily as a speculative asset. Ethereum, on the other hand, has a genuine use case as it provides a platform for developers.
The blockchain supports smart contracts (which can execute certain actions when conditions are met while remaining decentralized), dApps, NFTs, and more. While it faces condition from newer cryptocurrencies, it
Tether (usdt) – stability in volatility
Tether is a stablecoin, which means that its value stays the same over time. It is pegged to the value of the US dollar, which means it should always cost $1 (save minor fluctuations as the price adjusts).
As a result, it doesn’t make sense as a coin to invest in since its value will never increase. However, many crypto investors like to use stablecoins as a store of value in between other trades. For instance, if you want to purchase bitcoin once its price hits a certain level, you could store it in USDT ready.
It’s certainly worth keeping up with what Tether is doing!
Binance coin (bnb) – beyond trading fees
Binance is one of the biggest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, so it stands to reason that its associated cryptocurrency would have a strong foundation — much like understanding key strategies is essential for how to succeed in passing a trading challenge. Since it was first created back in 2017, BNB has become one of the biggest digital coins in the world.
Although it was initially created to facilitate trades on Binance, it now has a wider range of applications, including payment processing and exchanging for other cryptocurrencies.
Solana (sol) – high-speed transactions
Solana is often seen as a major Ethereum competitor — both blockchains facilitated dApps and smart contracts, along with other decentralized products.
While Ethereum remains the most valuable, many believe that Solana could one day give it a run for its money. While it has a similar use case to Ethereum, it has its own system for verifying transactions, known as Proof of History. This helps to make it faster and more efficient, with lower fees.
The coin soared to highs of above $200 in 2021, and is slowly edging its way back there again.
U.S. dollar coin (usdc) – secure stablecoin
Like USDT, USDC is a leading stablecoin, and it’s also pegged to the US dollar. USDC was initially issued by cryptocurrency exchange coinbase and blockchain company Circle, but it is now solely owned by Circle.
While USDT has a bigger market capitalization than USDC, many still favor USDC and view it as the more reliable choice since it is more transparent. In order to peg a currency to the US dollar, both blockchains use a store of cash and US treasury bills, but USDC is more transparent about its reserves and carries out regular audits from independent accounting firms. This is something USDT has faced controversy for in the past, and it has previously lost its peg with the USD.
Therefore, many view USDC as the more reliable choice for retaining a stable value.
Ripple (xrp) – facilitating currency exchanges
Ripple coin was created to facilitate cryptocurrency exchanges, especially payments across borders between different fiat currencies. It can also be used to provide liquidity and for micropayments (small payments on other applications) thanks to its transaction speeds, low costs, and efficiency.
However, what really separates it from other cryptocurrencies is that it has been designed for institutional use. While XRP operates on a decentralized blockchain, it targets financial institutions by offering products and services that cater to them. Cross-border payments and liquidity are two major concerns for major banks.
While regulation has hindered the adoption of XRP by financial institutions, some banks are already using the coin or its services. For instance, MoneyGram has used Ripple’s on-demand liquidity for cross-border transactions. Plus, as XRP is one of the biggest cryptocurrencies in the market, it has a natural advantage over smaller coins when regulation catches up.
Dogecoin (doge) – from meme to market leader
Dogecoin has gained a lot of infamy over the last few years, not least because it’s the cryptocurrency of choice for Elon Musk. The Tesla founder first mentioned Dogecoin through a tweet in 2019, and he ramped up his support in 2021, which led to rapid price increases. Musk has since suggested that Tesla and X could integrate dogecoin, although this is yet to happen.
Unlike most other cryptocurrencies on this list, Dogecoin wasn’t built from scratch. Rather, it is based on Litecoin (a bitcoin fork), although it added a few additional features. Its value is primarily that it is based on a meme people enjoy — known as a memecoin — which builds a strong community and encourages investment.
Although some have argued that Dogecoin is nothing more than a memecoin, it’s continued to prove people wrong.
Toncoin (ton) – the open network innovation
Toncoin was first developed as a blockchain for messaging app Telegram, but it has since been rebranded as the TON foundation (previously Telegram Open Network but now The Open Network). This is designed to be independent from Telegram (although the Telegram founder endorsed the project).
It offers a fast and environmentally conscious network for exchanging and storing cryptocurrencies. Telegram’s popularity — the messaging app has hundreds of millions of users — has helped to propel TON to popularity. However, its technology stands alone.
Cardano (ada) – proof-of-stake pioneer
Proof of stake is now one of the best-known and most-used consensus mechanisms for blockchain platforms, and Cardano has played an important role in making that possible. Its protocol — known as Ouroboros — is considered one of the most advanced implementations of the mechanism. It is built on peer-reviewed research and is also highly energy efficient.
Similarly to the likes of Ethereum and Solana, Cardano supports smart contracts and related applications like dApps and DeFi.
Emerging cryptocurrencies to watch
The ten cryptocurrencies outlined above all have a few years of history behind them and are well-known among anyone who has even dipped their foot in the choppy waters of crypto trading.
But for those who are prepared to take a greater risk, it may be worth considering investing in smaller cryptocurrencies. While these have a higher chance of fading into significance, they also have a greater chance of skyrocketing in value. After all, Ethereum and Solana were both obscure cryptocurrencies one day.
Pepe Unchained (pepu) – leveraging layer-2 technology
PEPU is a memecoin based on the Pepe meme. Although it was launched in 2024, it has gained attention thanks to its staking rewards and low transaction costs.
The Meme Games (mgmes) – gamified investment
MGMES gamifies investment by letting users bet on races based around memecoins, through which they can win tokens.
Wienerai (wai) – integrating ai with meme coins
WAI fuses artificial intelligence with the virality of memecoins to create a “hype machine”. It is designed as a trading companion.
Playdoge (play) – play-to-earn opportunities
PLAY offers play-to-earn games, meaning that users can earn rewards through having fun.
Shiba shootout (shibashoot) – wild west meets crypto
Shiba Shootout is a blockchain game where players have a shootout in the Wild West. Owners of the crypto can also stake tokens for rewards and refer others to earn.
Base dawgz (dawgz) – multi-chain compatibility
DAWGZ was created to act as a bridge between various blockchains, allowing users to participate in projects in various ecosystems.
Mega dice token (dice) – gamefi and casino integration
DICE offers decentralized gaming and gambling experiences through the blockchain, known as GameFI.
99bitcoins token (99btc) – learn-to-earn model
On 99BTC, users learn about cryptocurrencies and earn rewards in the process.
Doge2014 (doge2014) – celebrating dogecoin’s legacy
DOGE2014 is a platform and crypto designed to celebrate DOGECOIN and recapture its spirit, earning it a soft spot among fans.
SpacePay (spy) – fintech and blockchain fusion
Spacepay is a fintech app that mixes blockchain with more traditional infrastructure. Holders of the token can vote on decisions and access products and services.
Staking and earning passive income
Buying or trading cryptocurrencies might be the best-known way to make money from cryptocurrencies, but it’s not the only option. Staking is a potentially lucrative way to earn passive income from digital coins.
Understanding staking rewards
As touched on already, one way that transactions in a blockchain network are validated is through staking. Validators essentially pledge their cryptocurrencies as collateral when determining if a transaction is legitimate or not. If they agree with others in the network, they earn rewards.
Top cryptos for staking in 2024
Some of the best cryptos for earning staking rewards in 2024 include:
- ETH
- ADA
- SOL
- DOT
- ATOM
- AVAX
How to maximize passive income through staking
Some platforms and cryptocurrencies offer greater staking rewards than others, so you’ll need to compare the rates offered.
However, you shouldn’t necessarily opt for the highest rewards possible. It’s important to also consider the fundamentals of a project and lock-up periods (the length of time you need to stake a coin before you can withdraw).
Evaluating investment risks
Risk is a crucial consideration in any type of investment, but this is especially true for cryptocurrencies.
The high-risk nature of cryptocurrency investments
When it comes to investing, the potential for high rewards generally comes hand-in-hand with higher risks — and this is certainly true in the crypto market.
Since cryptocurrencies are such a new asset class, they attract a lot of speculative investment, which can lead them to balloon suddenly in price. However, investors can also be easily spooked, causing sudden price drops.
Strategies to mitigate risks
Some ways to reduce risks include:
- Investing the majority of your portfolio in more established cryptos like bitcoin and ethereum over newer memecoins
- Avoiding buying cryptocurrencies when they’re at an all-time high price
- Ensuring you have an in-depth understanding of the technology behind blockchain platforms so you know what you’re investing in
Regulatory landscape and its impact on crypto investments
Regulation has been one of the biggest hurdles cryptocurrency platforms have faced. In some countries, regulatory authorities are banning crypto exchanges or placing greater restrictions on them. On the other hand, some authorities are approving investment products based on cryptocurrencies, such as bitcoin ETFs in the US.
All of this impacts how investors perceive cryptocurrency prices.
How to choose the best cryptocurrencies to invest in
Choosing which cryptocurrencies to invest in is a personal choice. Here’s how to approach your decision.
Key factors to consider
Some factors to consider include:
- Purpose
- Underlying technology
- Team and development
- Community
- Market conditions
- Risk tolerance
Researching market potential
The following indicators provide clues about a cryptocurrency’s market potential:
- Market capitalization
- Trading volume
- Price history
- Competition
Community and developer activity
The activity of the developers behind a cryptocurrency and its community can provide key clues about the direction of a project. Pay special attention to the transparency of the developers’ plans.
Being more involved in the cryptocurrency community yourself can also be a great way to learn about presale opportunities.
Utility and adoption rates
Ultimately, it’s the cryptocurrencies with real-world applications that are more likely to be adopted in the future. Therefore, adoption by individuals, businesses, and institutions is a positive sign about a cryptocurrency’s future.
Future trends in cryptocurrency investment
If you really want to keep your finger on the pulse, here are a few future trends to keep an eye on.
The impact of ai on cryptocurrency
AI has the potential to make cryptocurrencies even more powerful. For instance, it can help with detecting fraud and optimizing blockchain operations. It is also changing how crypto investors trade due through trading bots and analytics.
The growing role of decentralized finance (DeFi)
Decentralized finance (DeFi) provides traditional financial services through decentralized blockchain platforms. This means it can give consumers an alternative to banks for financial products such as loans, investments, and bank accounts.
It has the potential to provide a more inclusive financial system, although regulation could be a barrier.
Innovations in blockchain technology
Some further innovations in blockchain technology include:
- Layer-2 scaling solutions
- Decentralized autonomous organizations
- Interoperability protocols
- Zero-knowledge proofs
- Decentralized identities
Conclusion
Now, let’s remind ourselves of what we’ve learned.
Summary of top cryptocurrencies
As a reminder, these are our top cryptocurrencies:
- Bitcoin
- Ethereum
- Tether
- Binance coin
- Solana
- US Dollar Coin
- Ripple
- Dogecoin
- Toncoin
- Cardano
Final thoughts on cryptocurrency investments for 2025
Few investments are more fast-paced and futuristic than the world of cryptocurrencies, which attracts a force of passionate investors. However, while exciting, it can be incredibly risky. Don’t invest more than you can afford to lose, and always do your research.
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