Top 10 Cryptocurrencies You Can Bet On, In 2021

The “crypto” in cryptocurrencies refers to high-level cryptography allowing for security in the creation and processing of digital currencies and their transactions across a multitude of decentralized systems. This important “crypto” feature of these currencies comes with a common commitment to decentralization. Cryptocurrencies typically develop as code by teams who build in mechanisms for issuance.

Cryptocurrencies are nearly always designed to reign free from government intervention and control, even though as they have risen higher in popularity this foundational aspect of the industry has time and again come under fire. The digital currencies modeled after Bitcoin are collectively called altcoins.  Some of these currencies have some impressive features that Bitcoin does not, but matching the height of security that Bitcoin’s networks have achieved is largely yet to be seen by an altcoin.

Criteria for Choosing the Cryptocurrencies to Invest in

Enlisting the fields, on the basis of which is it possible to come to a “fair – enough” judgment:

• Longevity – tells you how long the cryptocurrency has been around. Not that the new currencies are ruled out, but it always helps to have historical data to compare.
• Track record – reveals how the particular coin has fared during its run. If it shows stability, it’s good; even better if it has gained a foothold in the market and is acquiring more value with time.
• Technology – answers questions related to usability, security, and transaction speed. 
• Adoption Rate – refers to the number of people smitten by it.

The Top 10 Cryptocurrency Investments in 2021

• Bitcoin

BTC has been around for longer than any other cryptocurrency. It’s evident why it carries the volume of trust it does. Its trajectory, since its launch in 2009 has been convincing; in spite of the several drops, each time it has recovered itself in a better way. Even with thousands of other cryptocurrencies on the market, Bitcoin still represents 40% of the cryptocurrency market cap. 

Bitcoin is priced at $57,018.90 with a market cap of $1,064,899,607,297

• Ethereum

Ethereum serves as a  network that allows developers to create their own cryptocurrency utilizing the Ethereum network. While Ethereum lags far behind Bitcoin in value, it’s pretty much ahead of its rivals.

Launched much later than in the crypto timeline, it has overtaken practically all of its peers save Bitcoin, which stays far ahead.

Ethreum is priced at $2,021.19 with a market cap of $233,113,483,276

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• Binance Coin

Binance Coin – a utility cryptocurrency operating as a payment option for the fees associated with trading on the Binance Exchange. The use of this token as a means of payment for the exchange enables you to trade at a discounted price. Binance Coin’s blockchain is the same platform that Binance’s decentralized exchange operates on. 

Binance Coin is priced at $402.73 with a market cap of $61,681,701,839

• Tether

Launched in 2014, Tether is a self-described “a blockchain-enabled platform designed to facilitate the use of fiat currencies in a digital manner.” In effect, this cryptocurrency permits individuals to use a blockchain network and ancillary technologies to transact in sovereign currencies, thus, minimizing the volatility and complexity often associated with digital currencies. Moreover, in January 2021, Tether was the third-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, with a total market cap of $24.4 billion and a per-token value of $1.00.

Tether is at $1.00 with a market cap of $43,682,293,446

• Cardano

The researchers behind Cardano designed its blockchain after extensive experimentation and peer-reviewed research. Therefore, this research is the backbone of Cardano.

Owing to this rigorous process, Cardano stands out among its proof-of-stake peers as well as larger cryptocurrencies.

Cardano is at $1.20 with a market cap of $38,339,212,353

• Polkadot

Polkadot is a distinctive proof-of-stake cryptocurrency, aimed to interoperate with other blockchains. 

Polkadot’s core component is its relay chain allowing interoperability among varying networks. It also allows for “parachains,” or parallel blockchains with their own native tokens for specific use cases. 

Polkadot is at $40.02 with a market cap of $37,845,586,919

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• Ripple

Ripple is the brand that unveiled the XRP token and is enticing to investors because it sets itself apart from other cryptocurrencies by offering international transactions. With a bank, international money transfers can take up to 10 business days. With Ripple, the same transactions take mere seconds.

Further, Ripple strikes contracts with big banks around the world. The more contracts in its possession, the more accessible the Ripple cryptocurrency is to adopters.

• Litecoin

Launched in 2011, Litecoin starred among the first cryptocurrencies to follow in the footsteps of Bitcoin. Therefore, referring as “silver to Bitcoin’s gold.” Litecoin operates on an open-source global payment network. Central authority has no control.

Litecoin is at a market cap of $14,995,177,891

• Chainlink 

A decentralized oracle network, Chainlink serves to bridge the gap between smart contracts. Not unlike the ones on Ethereum, and the data outside of it. Moreover, blockchains themselves do not possess the ability to connect to outside applications in a trusted manner. Chainlink’s decentralized Oracle network allows smart contracts to communicate with outside data. Therefore, the contracts are based on data that Ethereum itself cannot connect to. 

Chainlink is at $32.20 with a market cap of $13,483,115,559

• Stellar

Stellar’s open blockchain network provides enterprise solutions by connecting financial institutions for the purpose of large transactions. Huge transactions operating between banks and investment firms typically take several days, and several intermediaries, and cost a great deal of money. Moreover, costs range from little to nothing for those making the transaction.

Stellar has positioned itself as an enterprise blockchain for institutional transactions. Therefore, the system allows for cross-border transactions between any currencies. Stellar’s native currency is Lumens (XLM). The network requires users to hold Lumens to be able to transact on the network.

Stellar is at $0.4912 with a market cap of $11,194,654,934

As is Apparent…

The Cryptocurrency, undisputedly, is here to stay. With the billions invested in them by the largest corporate giants, the probability of a “fizzle-out” is extremely narrow. 

Security is yet another issue with crypto. You need to be smart and wise with crypto handling. Also, crypto investment is not for quick yields. It’s more of a long-term investment. 

With some insight patience and a wee bit of luck, you’re sure to make a decent earning of your crypto assets.

N.B: The figures given are from the time of writing.