1. Bitcoin (BTC):

Market cap: Over $350 billion

Created in 2009 by someone under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin (BTC) is the original cryptocurrency. As with most cryptocurrencies, BTC runs on a blockchain, or a ledger logging transactions distributed across a network of thousands of computers. Because additions to the distributed ledgers must be verified by solving a cryptographic puzzle, a process called proof of work, Bitcoin is kept secure and safe from fraudsters.

Bitcoin’s price has skyrocketed as it’s become a household name. In May 2016, you could buy Bitcoin for about $500. Since then Bitcoin has witnessed many ups and downs but has shown tremendous resistance. Last year Bitcoin lost 65% of its market value and now, as of Jan 10, 2023 Bitcoin is trading in the range of $17,500 to $18,000.

2. Ethereum (ETH):

Market cap: Over $ 170 billion

Both a cryptocurrency and a blockchain platform, Ethereum is a favorite of program developers because of its potential applications, like so-called smart contracts that automatically execute when conditions are met and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

Ethereum has also experienced tremendous growth. From April 2016 to the beginning of March 2022, its price went from about $11 to over $3,000, increasing more than 27,000%. However, due to the overall market crash, Ethereum plunged to an yearly low of $1,091 on November 9, 2022 and rebounded sharply to the levels of nearly $1,400, as of January 10, 2023.

3. Tether (USDT):

Market cap: Over $66 billion

Unlike some other forms of cryptocurrency, Tether is a stablecoin, meaning it’s backed by fiat currencies like U.S. dollars and the Euro and hypothetically keeps a value equal to one of those denominations. In theory, this means Tether’s value is supposed to be more consistent than other cryptocurrencies, and it’s favored by investors who are wary of the extreme volatility of other coins.

Source: Forbes