Top Altcoins: The Definitive List of Promising Projects

It’s tough to feel optimistic about the cryptocurrency industry and find promising projects when you analyze charts and prices in a bear market.

However, top altcoins should weather unfavorable market conditions as they are more influenced by the project’s development, how many exchanges they are listed on, and their practical application.

What Is an Altcoin?

The term “altcoin” is used to describe all cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin, and it is short for “alternative coin.” Just like Bitcoin, altcoins use peer-to-peer networks and blockchain technology to facilitate transactions. However, a few key differences set altcoins apart from Bitcoin.

Most notably, good altcoins tend to have a specific focus, use case, or provide a platform for development. For example, some altcoins are designed to be more private or secure than Bitcoin, while others are created as a digital currency for a specific industry or region.

Altcoins often use different mining algorithms, resulting in different rewards for miners. As a result, altcoins offer a unique twist on the original cryptocurrency concept, and they have quickly become popular among cryptocurrency enthusiasts.

With all that said, here’s the list of altcoins that have survived multiple market crashes, investor panic, and the global crisis that was the COVID-19 pandemic.

Top Altcoins To Invest In

As of the time of writing, the stock and cryptocurrency markets are in record decline, making this a perfect opportunity to “buy the dip” if you have some funds available. Here, we will cover cryptocurrencies that are independent projects and not tokens built on other platforms such as Ethereum.

1. Ethereum (ETH): More Than an Altcoin

Considering Ethereum as a mere altcoin is no longer a viable option. It’s the only cryptocurrency project close to Bitcoin in terms of market cap, volume, and adoption. Financial experts are constantly referencing both BTC and ETH as viable investments. ETH is not just an altcoin to buy now but an asset you should already have in your portfolio.

Ethereum is a decentralized platform that runs smart contracts: applications that run exactly as programmed, without any possibility of fraud or third-party interference. On the Ethereum blockchain, miners work to earn Ether, which is the native cryptocurrency of the network.

Rather than competing as a standalone currency, Ethereum was designed to be a “world computer” that would allow anyone to build decentralized applications on top of it. This has resulted in the growth of a thriving Ethereum ecosystem, encompassing everything from games and prediction markets to lending platforms, decentralized exchanges, and even new altcoins.

Investing in Ethereum is a bet on the success of this ecosystem and the continued demand for Ether. There are thousands of different assets built on Ethereum, including stablecoins, Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC), and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). In the past few years, the total value locked in Ethereum DeFi protocols has increased exponentially, highlighting the growing demand for yield-bearing assets built on Ethereum.

Thanks to its scale and liquidity, Ethereum is quickly becoming the go-to platform for DeFi developers and users alike. The gambling sector also embraced Ethereum due to its value and greater stability when compared to Bitcoin. Even though it’s the first choice among popular altcoins with development platforms, there are still some issues to be resolved. The shift from proof of work to proof of stake and the implementation of sharding should resolve mining and scalability concerns before they become a problem for future development.

2. Binance Coin (BNB) – The Exchange’s Own Cryptocurrency Token

Among the most popular altcoins, you can find BNB, popularly called Binance Coin. The cryptocurrency was initially launched as an ERC 20 token in July 2017, and since then, it has been developed as a native token for the cryptocurrency exchange. It first launched 200 million tokens that were distributed in the ICO (initial coin offering) to various investors and other participants.

This altcoin has practical use cases related to the exchange itself. You can use BNB to reduce your trading fees on Binance, pay for transaction fees on BNB Smart Chain, pay for goods and services with the Binance Card, pay for travel-related expenses with Travala.com, make purchases in decentralized apps built on Binance Chain, or earn by providing liquidity on the exchange.

The altcoins with the most potential have additional functionalities besides being used as payment currencies. That’s the same with Binance Smart Chain, which supports smart contract integration and is also compatible with Ethereum’s platform.

The value of the token is likely to recover and rise with the market as Binance remains one of the most popular cryptocurrency exchanges. Its total supply is dropping annually, and it will be limited to 100 million BNB.

3. Ripple (XRP) – Global Payments and Liquidity

XRP is a cryptocurrency created by Ripple Labs to provide global payments and liquidity. It’s one of the top altcoins on CoinMarketCap based on its market capitalization.

The company’s goal is to offer banks and other financial institutions a solution that allows for increased liquidity and cross-border payments. XRP is designed to be not only faster, but also less expensive than traditional banking channels.

To promote the use of XRP for global payments, the company has partnered with a number of banks and other financial institutions. Some of its partners include American Express, Santander, Bank of America, Standard Chartered, and many others.

4. Cardano (ADA) – Third-Gen Blockchain Platform

Another one on our list of up-and-coming altcoins is Cardano. It was launched in 2017 as a third-generation blockchain platform with high scalability and security. It’s named after Gerolamo Cardano, an Italian polymath from the 16th century, while the ADA token is named after Ada Lovelace, a mathematician who is widely regarded as the world’s first computer programmer. The Cardano team consists of developers from IOHK (Input Output Hong Kong), Emurgo, and the Cardano Foundation.

Cardano’s native token is ADA, which can be used to send and receive payments on the network. Cardano, in addition to being a payment network, supports smart contracts, which enable developers to create decentralized applications on the platform.

Cardano is unique in that it uses a proof-of-stake consensus algorithm called Ouroboros, which is more energy-efficient than proof-of-work algorithms like the ones used by Bitcoin. As a result, Cardano is frequently regarded as one of the most promising blockchain platforms and the next big altcoin.

5. Solana (SOL) – High-Performance Blockchain Platform

Solana is a high-performance blockchain platform that is scalable, secure, and energy-efficient. The platform uses a unique consensus algorithm called proof of history (PoH) to achieve unprecedented speed and scalability.

With Solana, developers can build decentralized applications that are responsive, fast, and secure. The platform is also highly energy-efficient, as it does not require specialized hardware or large amounts of electricity to run. That said, Solana is able to provide a superior user experience while also reducing the environmental impact of blockchain technology.

In addition to its impressive technical features, Solana also has a strong community of developers and users who are committed to building the future of the internet on the platform. With its powerful technology and passionate community, Solana is well-positioned to become the leading blockchain platform for decentralized applications and is one of the top altcoins to buy at the moment.

6. Polkadot (DOT) – Protocol for Cross-Blockchain Interoperability

Polkadot is one of the top choices if you are looking for altcoins to buy now. It’s a protocol that makes it possible for different blockchain networks to communicate with one another. This means that different blockchains can exchange information and share resources with each other without the need for a central intermediary.

Polkadot is designed to be scalable, flexible, and modular, making it well-suited for a wide range of applications. One of the key features of Polkadot is its use of “parachains,” specialized blockchains that can be used for specific tasks or purposes.

This enables different blockchains to specialize in different areas while still interacting with one another. As a result, Polkadot has the potential to enable a new era of cross-blockchain applications and services.

7. Dogecoin (DOGE) – The Joke Currency That Became Serious

Just a few years ago, if you asked serious crypto investors, “What altcoins should I buy?” you wouldn’t expect to hear, “Definitely Dogecoin.”

DOGE is a cryptocurrency that began as a joke in 2013. It was created as a parody of Bitcoin, and its logo is based on the popular “Doge” meme. Despite its origins, Dogecoin has become a serious currency, with market capitalization placing it in 12th place among thousands of other cryptocurrencies.

Unlike Bitcoin, which is designed to be used as a store of value, Dogecoin is intended for use as a currency for everyday transactions. As such, it has gained traction among businesses and individuals alike.

Dogecoin is also well-known for its charitable community, which has raised millions of dollars for good causes. Several major corporations, including Jack Dorsey’s Square and Elon Musk’s Tesla, have embraced the currency in recent years. Apart from investing in Ethereum and Bitcoin, Musk also owns some Dogecoins. Just like Ethereum, Dogecoin is ubiquitous among internet-based casinos.

As Dogecoin continues to gain mainstream acceptance, it’s clear that the once-joke currency has become a serious contender in the world of cryptocurrency, and it’s one of the altcoins to watch closely in the future.

8. Avalanche (AVAX) – A New Blockchain Platform for Decentralized Finance

Avalanche (AVAX) is a DeFi blockchain platform. It’s the first smart contract platform that supports a snowball consensus mechanism, which allows it to achieve high transaction speeds while maintaining security. As a result, Avalanche is well suited for a variety of DeFi applications, such as lending, synthetic assets, and flash loans.

Avalanche’s unique staking mechanism incentivizes users to participate in the consensus and helps align their interests with the long-term success of the platform. Avalanche is poised to become a key player in the DeFi space thanks to its high performance, security, and decentralization. It’s one of the top altcoins to buy now in the current bear market.

9. Litecoin (LTC) – The Silver to Bitcoin’s Gold

Litecoin is often referred to as the silver to Bitcoin’s gold. While both Bitcoin and Litecoin are digital currencies, there are a few key differences between the two.

For one, Litecoin is faster than Bitcoin, with transactions taking only around 2.5 minutes, compared to Bitcoin’s 10 minutes. Litecoin also has a larger circulating supply than Bitcoin, with 84 million units compared to Bitcoin’s 21 million. Finally, Litecoin uses a different mining algorithm than Bitcoin, which some believe makes it more accessible to miners.

Despite these differences, Litecoin and Bitcoin share many similarities. Both are decentralized, meaning they are not subject to government control or interference. They are also both open-source, which means anyone can contribute to their development. Finally, both have seen immense growth in recent years, with their prices rising exponentially.

So, what does the future hold for Litecoin, and is it among the good altcoins to buy at the moment? Many people believe that Litecoin will continue to gain traction, particularly as a Bitcoin alternative. With its faster transaction times and lower fees, Litecoin may soon become the go-to currency for digital transactions. Only time will tell whether Litecoin will indeed become the silver to Bitcoin’s gold.

10. Stellar (XLM) – A Blockchain Platform Connecting People, Financial Institutions, and Payment Systems

Stellar is a blockchain platform founded in 2014 that allows for cross-asset value transfers. Stellar’s distributed ledger records all transactions on the network, and anyone can access the ledger to view transaction details.

Supported by a non-profit organization, the Stellar Development Foundation, Stellar has partnerships with some of the world’s largest financial institutions. These partnerships are helping to drive adoption of the Stellar network and expand its reach. For example, in October 2018, IBM launched a cross-border payment service on the Stellar network that allows banks to quickly settle transactions.

With its low fees and fast transaction times, Stellar is positioned to become a leading platform for connecting people, financial institutions, and payment systems. This makes Stellar one of the altcoins with the highest potential in the market.

11. NEAR Protocol (NEAR) – A Scalable Smart Contracts Platform

The NEAR Protocol is a scalable smart contract platform that enables developers to build decentralized applications with the speed and efficiency of a centralized database. The protocol is designed to be developer-friendly, with features such as instant finality and low transaction fees.

NEAR also offers a unique sharding mechanism that allows the network to scale horizontally, meaning that it can support an infinite number of transactions without any slowdown. This makes NEAR ideal for building large-scale applications such as games, social media platforms, and marketplaces.

Furthermore, the NEAR team is composed of experienced developers from a variety of backgrounds, including former employees of Google. With all that in mind, we can confidently list NEAR among the most promising altcoins to invest in now.

12. Bitcoin Cash (BCH) – A Successful Bitcoin Hard Fork

Bitcoin Cash (BCH) is a cryptocurrency that was created as a result of a hard fork of the Bitcoin blockchain in August 2017. At the time of the fork, all holders of Bitcoin were also given an equal number of Bitcoin Cash tokens.

Bitcoin Cash was created in order to address some of the scalability issues that were present on the Bitcoin network. One of the key features of Bitcoin Cash is its larger block size, which allows for more transactions to be processed per block. As a result, Bitcoin Cash is able to process transactions much more quickly than Bitcoin, and with lower fees, too.

Overall, Bitcoin Cash has taken its place among the top altcoins and is proven to be a successful hard fork of the Bitcoin network, remaining one of the largest and most popular cryptocurrencies in the world.

13. Monero (XMR) – A Privacy-Focused Cryptocurrency

Monero (XMR) is a digital asset that offers privacy-focused features and is therefore often compared to other privacy coins such as Zcash (ZEC) and Dash (DASH). While Monero’s primary focus is on privacy, it also offers some unique characteristics that set it apart from other digital assets.

For example, Monero uses a “ring signature” system that makes transactions more difficult to trace. In addition, Monero’s blockchain is designed to be “ASIC-resistant,” meaning that it is more difficult for specialized mining hardware to gain an advantage on the network. As a result, Monero is accessible to a wider range of miners, which helps decentralize the network.

Overall, Monero is a well-established digital asset with a strong community. Combined with its privacy-related features, it is easily included among the altcoins with the most potential.

14. Ethereum Classic (ETC) – A Popular Ethereum Hard Fork

Ethereum Classic (ETC) is a popular Ethereum hard fork that occurred in July 2016. The fork was the result of a disagreement in the Ethereum community about how to handle the funds from the DAO, a decentralized autonomous organization that had been hacked. The fork resulted in two separate chains: Ethereum (ETH) and Ethereum Classic (ETC).

Both chains share the same history up until the point of the fork, but they have since diverged. ETC has maintained its original philosophy of immutability and decentralization. As a result, it has become popular with those who value censorship-resistant blockchain technology.

ETH, on the other hand, has become the more widely used chain due to its greater liquidity and support from major exchanges and wallets. Both chains have their pros and cons, but ETC remains a popular and respected digital asset and many see it as the altcoin to buy now.

15. Cosmos (ATOM) – A Blockchain Network for Digital Assets

Cosmos is a decentralized network of independent blockchains, each powered by BFT-based consensus algorithms such as Tendermint. The Cosmos Hub is the first blockchain in the network, and it functions as a central communication hub for all other connected blockchains, which are called Zones.

ATOM is the native staking token of the Cosmos Hub and the last on our altcoin list. The core functionality of Cosmos is to build an ecosystem of interoperable blockchains. This means that different blockchains can transact with each other without the need for a third-party intermediary.

For example, if you want to transfer tokens from one blockchain to another, you don’t need to go through a centralized exchange. With Cosmos, you can send tokens directly from one blockchain to another. This makes it possible to create a decentralized exchange where any token can be traded without the need for a central authority.

In addition, Cosmos provides tools and services that make it easy for developers to build and launch their own blockchain projects. As a result, Cosmos has the potential to become the go-to platform for developing and deploying decentralized applications.

Users who stake ATOM get rewarded for participating in the consensus mechanism and helping secure the network. In addition, they also have governance rights over the network, which means they can help decide how the network should be run.

Final Thoughts

Answering the question of which altcoins to buy for maximum profits is not easy. You should be aware that the cryptocurrency market is volatile and investing more than you are willing to lose is never a good idea. However, investing when the bear market is nearing its end and the bottom price has been reached is more prudent. Remember, such shifts are difficult to predict and come with a certain amount of risk.

As you can see from our  altcoins list, most of the best-performing projects had good ideas and technical use cases. Getting in on the ground floor of an ICO (initial coin offering) is the best way to go, and it’s a lot safer these days, especially with the strict regulations that now surround new cryptocurrency projects.

Whatever you decide to do, make sure to research the projects you are investing in before you commit.