20 Best Cryptocurrencies That are Worth Investing in This Year

Cryptocurrency refers to the digital currency that belongs to an ever-expanding industry. The word crypto in cryptocurrency indicates the sophisticated techniques of cryptology. Cryptography ensures online transaction security and generates tokens or coins to advance the crypto industry. Although cryptocurrency started its journey with the arrival of bitcoin, now many coins are available. But all the crypto share a prevailing ideology: decentralizing the distribution network while maintaining high-security protocol regulated by cutting-edge technologies remains the top priority.

Best Cryptocurrency To Invest In

There is nothing called the best cryptocurrency. But It is evident that bitcoin has become the standard for the new coins currently circulating in the market as a pioneer. This article will focus on a wide range of various cryptocurrencies in which you can start investing. Moreover, if you are searching for alternative Bitcoin investing, you have come to the right place.

1. Bitcoin

Bitcoin is still a prominent cryptocurrency to invest in Today’s market. In fact, the industry of cryptocurrency could never be under the spotlight without the arrival of Bitcoin. It has already achieved customer satisfaction by ensuring security through intelligent technologies and has become the leader in this space. As most investors are involved with its market, bitcoin is the top cryptocurrency to start your journey in this space.

Features of Bitcoin

• Pioneer of the crypto industry has set a standard that other cryptocurrencies must follow to stand a place in this market. 
• Collaboration and its competency with companies like Segwit, Schnorr signatures, MAST, MimbleWimble, Bulletproofs, and Confidential transactions make it almost impossible to compete. 
• All the crypto trading platforms support Bitcoin, and you can also store your asset in many available web wallets. 
• Security is ensured, and people can rely entirely on the sophisticated architecture used to protect digital assets. 
• The best part of bitcoin is the liquidity of its market demand. If you ever want to sell your coin, you will not have any problem finding potential buyers.

2. Ethereum (ETH)

If any other crypto can be considered a bitcoin alternative, there is none other than Ethereum. It started its journey in 2015 and has become widely popular in a very short time. You can even purchase digital assets or make a transaction using the Ether – a cryptographic token offered by the ETH platform.

Features of Ethereum

• The decentralized network helps build smart contacts, and distributed applications can be developed without any downtime or fraud. 
• It has the largest pool of developers worldwide, and companies like  Microsoft, Intel, Chase, and J.P. Morgan are planning to expand the business that uses Ethereum. 
• Currently working on developing the platform so that you can also buy other cryptocurrencies using Ether. 
• The price is at rock bottom now. So you can buy Ethereum now to add to your portfolio and make it more impressive.
• Several security bugs and security have been recorded. ETH bounced back smoothly by splitting into Ethereum (ETH) and Ethereum Classic (ETC).
  

3. Zcash (ZEC)

This cryptocurrency has taken place in the list of best cryptocurrencies for the traders’ privacy. It uses even more advanced technologies than bitcoin to ensure security. ZEC has an open-source platform; the only difference with bitcoin is the hard limit of 21 million coins. Although it restricts the users from spending more than a particular limit, it ensures the complexity is less and the volume of transactions is easy to handle. 

Features of Zcash

• If we see bitcoin as the HTTP of the internet, then Zcash can be called the HTTPS of the internet. Also, it provides selective transparency of transactions.  
• Zcash delivers high-end privacy to its users. Transactions are recorded in the blockchain, while the name of senders and recipients’ amounts remain private. 
•  Cryptography and zk-SNARK construction techniques shield all the contents associated with each transaction.
• You can trade anonymously, making it a popular place for scammers, although the Equihash algorithm is intended to identify these activities accurately. 
• 12.5 per block is rewarded to the miners, and the amount is halved every four years.

4. VeChain

While talking about the best cryptocurrency or Bitcoin alternative, VeChain is the most mentionable one. This enterprise-level crypto platform was created so that traders can leverage their coins without facing many troubles. Besides, the VeChan team is working on blockchain technology, and they have a goal to implement blockchain in real-life applications. 

Features of VeChain

• Coins circulate automatically through self-circulating infrastructure, and a scalable, trust-free, and distributed business ecosystem is also available. 
• It started its journey as a blockchain management system and changed its vision later to expand business in the crypto industry. 
• After their new blockchain tech arrives, you can start exchanging your VeChain coins, known as VeChain THOR. 
• One can swap VEN for VET at a 1:1 ratio. It means if you hold only one VEN token, you will still be able to generate VET.
• In the near future, many companies will use VeChain Tokens as a smart payment currency to expand their business.

5. Cardano

This cryptocurrency can be compared to Ethereum. You can quickly develop decentralized applications and connect to smart contacts using this sophisticated blockchain platform offered by Cardano. This cryptocurrency emphasizes traders’ privacy and handles each transaction with the highest priority for maintaining security protocols. Highly efficient tech leaders and developers regulate it. 

Features of Cardano

• If you want to become a long-term investor, you should choose this currency, as you can not complete the life cycle within a few months. 
• Developers are working to introduce a smart contract system language for enabling self-circulating techniques and increasing efficiency.
• It is known for its transaction speed. At the same time, it brings light to scalability, interoperability, and reliability.
• A multi-layered platform maintains the Ada cryptocurrency offered by Cardano and is easily upgradeable. 
• The market’s liquidity and the platform’s elasticity have made it very popular among traders. 
• Ada crypto needs much less computing power. It generates several blocks at a time, whereas bitcoin generates only one at a time.

6. Monero

The people who are extremely concerned about privacy and want to complete crypto transactions without exposure then, Monero can be the best cryptocurrency to invest in them. It holds a significant market share of the crypto industry and has been operating in the market for the last ten years. Monero is used in the deep web and is considered impossible to trace. It focuses on maintaining high privacy and renders top-notch security for traders. 

Features of Monero

• Highly suitable and top cryptocurrency for people who value their privacy and digital assets. 
• This crypto is safe for investors and backed by cutting-edge technologies like Ring signatures, RingCT, Kovri, and Stealth addresses.
• Monero can be an excellent enhancement to your portfolio because of its flat inflation rate, which is relatively lower than the others. 
• You can store your XMR safely, and there are several Monero wallets available out there where you can collect your funds.
• The always-on privacy feature in Monero makes the transactions secure, and every user performs to strengthen the privacy mechanisms. 
• The automatic adaptive block size limit has added an extra advantage. It can increase the size of the block freely to accommodate the high volume of transactions.

7. Tezos

Tezos started rolling in this space by raising $232 million in its ICO. Although it is considered one of the best cryptocurrency and Bitcoin alternatives nowadays, it has gone through several shaky situations. But each time, they bounced back stronger than ever and operated proudly in the market. It has also gained a strong position by establishing itself as a competitor of Ethereum. The platform is dynamic and uses to use even for newcomers. 

Features of Tezos

• Already launched mainnet and has taken all the actions to be the next dominant platform for decentralized applications and smart contracts for investors. 
•  It is powered by blockchain technology, which can upgrade itself with time. 
• Introduces on-chain governance, a self-alteration system, and an authorized record of stake algorithm.
• You will not need to hold coins. Instead, you can only spend from your staked coins and never go bankrupt. 
• The viability of the project is higher, and Tezos renders both ICO and staking rewards for the foundation.

8. Litecoin

Litecoin cryptocurrency is one of the prominent altcoins operating in the market for over eight years. It was created to complement Bitcoin as silver to Bitcoin’s gold. Investors often find it difficult to choose one from Bitcoin and Litecoin as they are similar.

Litecoin focuses on decreasing the transaction time by generating blocks rapidly and several at a time. I started the run with a vision to become one of the top cryptocurrencies and achieved the goal successfully.  

Features of Litecoin

• Litecoin is entirely maintained by an open-source platform and regular by sophisticated cryptographic protocol. 
• Processes large volumes of transactions well. Technologies like Frequent block generations and Segregated witnesses can handle multiple transactions at a time.
• The algorithm makes it more accessible to the new miners while you do not have to worry about hardware-based mining using AISIC.
• Supported by large communities and used in online transactions that include ATM, eCommerce payment, etc. 
• A total of about 84 billion coins is available in stock, resulting in higher profit margins and less competition for the miners. 
• Besides, flexibility and exchangeability with other cryptocurrencies have helped it take place in the best cryptocurrency list.

9. Ripple

This is another safe cryptocurrency and Bitcoin alternative, as it has enabled banks to complete international transactions in real-time. Besides, low service costs and end-to-end transparency have made it much popular among investors worldwide. Ripple uses different methods for maintaining high-end security that is simple and sets it apart from bitcoin and other altcoins. Poloniex and Kraken are the two best platforms for exchanging ripples.

Features of Ripple

• Ripple does not use blockchain like most cryptocurrencies available out there. Instead, it uses a distributed consensus mechanism powered by network servers for validating transactions.
• Ripple’s payment gateway is similar to banks. Updating ledgers uses the same protocol that the banks use for online credit or payments. 
• It is one of the safest cryptocurrencies to invest in as Ripple is already adopted by many banks such as MUFG, BBVA, SEB, Akbank, Axis Bank, Yes Bank, and so on.
• Security is strong and emphasized. Rather than relying on miners, you will need to trust a gateway and its technologies.
• It has a goal to distribute the value for empowering the business and increase the liquidity in the market for the traders.

10. EOS

This top cryptocurrency has received a positive response from traders quickly. To digitally facilitate, verify, or enforce the negotiation, EOS emphasizes smart contracts just like Ethereum. Alongside this, EOS also focuses on expanding the use of digital currency globally to expand the market of cryptocurrency. Through the process of sustainable innovation, EOS has gained an extra advantage over most of its competitors. 

Features of EOS

• You can build multi-functional dApps using the decentralized platform offered by EOS. As a result, you can complete transactions on so many platforms using EOS coins. 
• Every cryptocurrency which uses blockchain technology takes an associated cost with each transaction. But there is no additional cost required if you consider EOS as your currency.
• Voting system governance allows the user to be a part of its core and participate in voting to change any rule or regulation.
• Helping developers to build dApps. As a result, the demand for EOS is increasing day by day through developers’ and investors’ communities. 
• You can arrange ICO at any time on the EOS platform, which has made EOS so popular among traders.
• As one of the best cryptocurrencies, it is self-sufficient and automatically generates rewards for block producers.

11. Bancor

Bancor is a decentralized network and has redesigned how people think, create, and share value. Liquidity is rare in the cryptocurrency market, and you can not really predict the result accurately in most cases. But Bancor has reshaped the process of crypto trading. Being trustworthy and reliable, it has already engaged many traders and continues to grow to expand the use of cryptocurrency around the world.

Features of Bancor

• Undoubtedly Bancor coin is one of the safest cryptocurrencies to invest in today’s world because of the trend it follows. 
• The main advantage of the Bancor smart token is continuous liquidity. It can automate the sell and buy orders, which has taken it one step ahead.
• Generates Network, which holds the combined value of the actual reserve. If the demand for smart tokens increases, the value of network tokens also increases. 
•  Liquidating and Purchasing are always done based on smart contracts, which ensure liquidity in the market and are independent of trading volumes. 
• Algorithms do price calculations, and the blockchain fees are relatively lower than the other best cryptocurrency available. 

12. Nexo

Nexo is different from all the other cryptocurrencies that have been described so far. Where others are the crypto or digital assets offered by various platforms, Nexo enables traders to take crypto loans using their digital currency. Millions of users of FinTech group back nexo. As the roadmap is clear to the users and opens diversifying opportunities that can be achieved by owning cryptos, Nexo has earned people’s trust in quick time and operating smoothly.

Features of Nexo

• Nexo opens a new way of using cryptocurrency rather than only selling and buying.
• You can instantly take a loan or real cash by holding your digital assets as collateral while you have full access to your cryptos. 
• The business model is unique and straightforward but ensures liquidity through automatic, flexible, and cost-efficient processes powered by the user’s assets.
• Nexo oracle module, sophisticated cryptography, and algorithmic procedures are used to maintain a high level of transparency. 
• You will not need to pay any transaction, platform, or withdrawal fees, which will eventually reduce the cost of tax.
• ERC20-based coins can be collected on any wallets that are compatible with Ethereum.

13. Dash

Dash is known as darkcoin. For those investors who want to sell & buy Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies without exposing their information, Dash is probably the best cryptocurrency for them. No other cryptocurrencies have experienced such a successful venture as Dash.

After starting the business in 2014, it went through many changes, but the functionalities and features are still the same. Instead, they are continuously furnished and regulated by an experienced team led by Evan Duffield.  

Features of Dash

• Unlike bitcoin, the blockchain mining operation is divided into two parts, which are Master Node and the Miners. 
• Masternode makes transactions quick, like real cash exchange, and provides high-end security. 
• PrivateSend enables tradesmen to complete transactions privately, and there is no way to trace Dash transactions and the associated information. 
• You will not need to wait to confirm or process your transaction if you use the feature InstantSend offered by Dash.
• The network is much more decentralized than most coins, and the mass adoption strategy adds extra value. 
• A $2.5 million monthly budget for sustaining development also shows the commitment of Dash, which will help to expand the industry more than ever.

14. Neo

Neo has taken the idea of Ethereum and intends to improve the foundation by incorporating its vision and mission into its business model. This top cryptocurrency focuses on decentralized blockchain and has already got the reputation of “Ethereum Killer.”

It is also known as Chinese Ethereum, which ultimately helps the Asian people to adopt this as a Bitcoin alternative. Everyone believes Neo will take over the dominance of bitcoin in Asian Countries. They are currently working on Smart Contract 2.0 and partnered with many Chinese Certification Authorities. 

Features of Neo

• While other cryptocurrencies are based on a proof of service concept, the business model of Neo is based on proof of work.
• Introduces a smart economy through which you can even place your physical assets in blockchain and earn profits transparently. 
• Public Key Infrastructure helps businesses and financial organizations to register who can buy or sell Neo coins.
• An added advantage is if you invest in Neo, which is Gas. You can earn up to 0.03411 Gas per year by holding 100 Neo in your wallet.
• Unlike Ethereum, you can build your own ecosystem using NEO without any programming knowledge, which is very helpful for developers and general investors.

15. Bitcoin Cash

Bitcoin is the best cryptocurrency as it holds the maximum share of the market. But the major problem of bitcoin is the high time required to process transactions. It takes around 10 minutes to complete a trade.

Bitcoin cash was intended to solve this problem. It can play the role of a bitcoin classic. By creating larger blocks, it can complete more transactions at a time. It has got the benefit of taking only the right sides of the top cryptocurrency, bitcoin.

Features of Bitcoin Cash

• As created by developers and bitcoin miners, Bitcoin Cash is more scalable and flexible.
• Introduces 8MB block size to boost the transaction verification process’s speed regardless of the number of miners available to mine. 
• Bitcoin charges $8 – $15 as commissions, while the rate of Bitcash is pretty lower, which is $0,05 – $0,010.
• Although even Bitcoin Cash experiences unconfirmed deals, which can reach up to 200 – 250 sometimes but in Bitcoin, this queue may reach 7,000 – 10,000.
• The volatility rate is much higher, and it is almost impossible to predict the price. Also, there is a problem with automatic control, which is unsolved to date. 
• It is usually used as a speculative tool. Besides, investors do not consider it a potential asset, although it makes even larger blocks to increase speed.

16. IOTA

A next-generation intelligent platform supports IOTA cryptocurrency. It is designed to help the Internet of Things (IoT), enables secured trading, and protect the unlimited data stream. Although miners maintain the operation, the security protocol of IOTA is much more different than the traditional blockchain technology. Data access management. Data control and Data protection through encryption are also responsible for the popularity of IOTA. 

Features of IOTA

• The transaction is mapped onto an entire network and offers native technology called Tangled, which is more efficient and requires less processing power for each operation.
• Forces users to use only the native platform for transactions, dramatically decreasing the customers’ confirmation time. 
• Enables users to make small payments using IOTA as it takes little or no charge for a small transaction.
• The processing speed increases with the size of new subscribers. Its business module is designed to process within zero-second after the specific data size is achieved.
• IOTA removes the Tangible dilemma faced by organizations when they want to integrate blockchain technology in auditable applications.

17. Tether

Tether has become one of the best cryptocurrencies to invest in. This cryptocurrency is very special. It solves the major problem of this industry by removing the volatility and rendering stablecoins. Currently, only USDT is available in the market. But Japan and England are planning to publish their own coins very soon. The tether foundation regulates all the tokens, enabling users to exchange Tether across various platforms. 

Features of Tether

• Price is powered by USD and is equivalent as well. You will get 1:1 USD for each Tether token. 
• Protects users from volatility and shares all the transactions with its users. It has helped reaffirm people’s trust in the crypto industry again. 
• It uses blockchain technology similar to bitcoin, which is already relied on by so many people. 
• All other cryptocurrencies can only be used during online payment. But Tether can also be found in electronic form as it is a fiat currency. 
• There is almost no market fear if you invest in Tether. Unlike other digital currencies, the price will never fall, whatever happens in the market. 
• KYC and AML documents must be provided for making a transaction. If one fails to do so, he/she will not be allowed to initiate trading.

18. Stellar

Stellar cryptocurrency emphasizes enabling users to pair between any cryptocurrencies. It also allows user to exchange their assets globally. Stellar is basically a platform that offers Lumens cryptocurrency. Stellar is the best cryptocurrency for you if you are an investor, want a good return, and plan for a long-term project. It is a global exchange network that processes thousands of exchanges between currencies and tokens per second.

Features of Stellar

• A minimum transaction fee of 0.00001 is charged with every transaction, ensuring minimum account balances are always kept. 
• As Stellar is scalable, it automatically renders the best combination of transaction fees, trades per second, and average agreement time of the blockchain technology. 
• Liquidity is facilitated by validating $DALA and ZAR, UGX, USD, and also the latest currencies when they are live. 
• Stellar is building a marketplace for digital goods and services to use the stellar currency for trading. 
• The stellar protocol is valuable and sophisticated. The system will be developed and become more secure over time.

19. Chainlink

It is an oracle blockchain project that was created to connect cryptocurrency with real-world applications. Open-source API helps developers to build multi-functional software and web platform to improve the crypto market.

It focuses on establishing a bridge between popular payment gateways like Paypal and Payoneer, banks like HSBC and Wells Fargo, and blockchain technology like Bitcoin and Ethereum. From the beginning of its journey, it has been working to enhance the adoption of digital currency worldwide. 

Features of Chainlink

• It uses the power of data science and can apply external data sources to the blockchain network for creating smart contracts.
• Agreement between the traders remains protected, and chainlink technology ensures the zero percent occurrence of fraudulent activities. 
• Multiple information is handled by a single node in the chainlink network, for which the cost of processing a large volume of data rises and becomes costly. 
• On-chain and off-chain architectural designs were developed to help newcomers in this space and motivate many businesspeople to invest. 
• Partnership with companies like Web3, Polkadot, OpenLaw, and Swift network portrays the bright future of Chainlink. Undoubtedly it has the potential to become the best cryptocurrency.

20. Dogecoin

As a peer-to-peer open source platform, Dogecoin started its journey as a joke currency.  Although it has been less than 5 years, Dogecoin is in this market; it has already earned a positive reputation among its competitors.

It was created to replace the traditional form of online electronic cash and make digital payment easier. Although the security of blockchain technology is always questionable, Dogecoin has never been hacked or attacked by scammers. 

Features of Dogecoin

• The block times are exceptionally short. Besides, fast and negligible transaction fees help even micro investors to complete small trades frequently.
• The usability of completing any kind of online payment makes it accessible for general use. Also, you can exchange it with other cryptocurrencies. 
• Real-life implications like paying bills have added more value to its business. 
• Dogecoin is the top cryptocurrency to fiat rapidly, and keeping fees is close to invincible. 
• It has already engaged a large community. It is already handling some great projects, clearly showing the roadmap and increasing demand.

Finally, The Insights

Some experienced stock market specialists assume that cryptocurrency will take over the traditional currency system in no time. Although cryptocurrency emerged when bitcoin successfully attracted many people to invest in this space, many digital currencies are now available in the market.

There is nothing called the best cryptocurrency, as the market is volatile and not stable yet. If you want to avoid a significant loss, you must conduct enough research, explore the platforms, and follow the active communities before investing in a cryptocurrency.