With thousands of cryptocurrencies available, navigating the crypto world can seem daunting. To help simplify the process, here are the top 10 cryptocurrencies based on their total market capitalization, reflecting the overall value of all coins in circulation.
- Bitcoin (BTC)
Bitcoin, launched in 2009 by Satoshi Nakamoto, is the first and most widely recognized cryptocurrency. It operates on a blockchain, where transactions are securely logged across a distributed network. Bitcoin's value has surged dramatically, reaching around $60,596 per coin as of August 2024, a substantial increase from $500 in 2016.
- Ethereum (ETH)
Ethereum, with a market cap of $317.5 billion, is known for its smart contract functionality, enabling decentralized applications (dApps) to run on its platform.
- Tether (USDT)
Tether, a stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar, maintains a market cap of $117 billion. Its value remains stable, making it a popular choice for those looking to avoid crypto volatility.
- Binance Coin (BNB)
BNB is the native token of the Binance exchange and has a market cap of $83 billion. It has gained popularity for reducing transaction fees on Binance.
- Solana (SOL)
Solana, with a market cap of $67.9 billion, has rapidly grown thanks to its fast transaction speeds and scalability, positioning it as a competitor to Ethereum.
- U.S. Dollar Coin (USDC)
USDC is another stablecoin with a market cap of $35.1 billion, offering price stability by being tied to the U.S. dollar.
- XRP (XRP)
XRP, with a market cap of $33.8 billion, is designed for fast, low-cost cross-border payments, making it popular for international transactions.
- Toncoin (TON)
Toncoin, with a market cap of $17.1 billion, has gained traction with a significant year-over-year return.
- Dogecoin (DOGE)
Originally created as a joke, Dogecoin has gained a large following. Its market cap sits at $15.2 billion.
- TRON (TRX)
TRON, with a market cap of $13.1 billion, focuses on decentralizing the web and digital content distribution.
Tax Considerations
Cryptocurrency is treated as a capital asset, not cash. Selling or using crypto at a profit may result in capital gains taxes, so it’s important to understand the tax implications when trading or using cryptocurrency.