The global cryptocurrency market is booming, due in part to developments like more accommodating US regulatory policy toward the crypto industry.
While some crypto is based on speculation, there are also growing use cases for some coins and tokens, such as in decentralized finance (DeFi), gaming, and AI.
Finding a relevant use case that you think will expand could mean that the associated crypto is a good investment, but much depends on timing and your risk management practices.
In other words, there’s not a singular type of crypto that’s clearly the best one to buy in 2025, as it varies from investor to investor. Some crypto assets have higher return potential than others, including some newly launched coins versus more established coins that might have less risk but less upside.
Do your own research to make sure you’re buying into a project that aligns with your investment preferences. Here we’ll examine some of the most popular types of crypto that you might consider buying in 2025.
Which Crypto to Buy Now: 2025 Market Overview
Some of the most popular types of crypto to consider buying in 2025 include:
Bitcoin (BTC)
Perhaps the best-known cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, popularized the modern blockchain and is often called “digital gold” because some consider it to be a store-of-value asset like physical gold. Also like real gold, Bitcoin has features such as scarcity, due to the fixed supply, and potentially serves as a hedge against inflation, such as if investors lose trust in the value of fiat currency due to too much money printing. Plus, Bitcoin has some institutional support, such as with widely accessible exchange-traded funds (ETFs) opening up trading to even those without crypto wallets.
However, just because some investors hold these types of views does not necessarily mean that Bitcoin is a safe investment or always achieves goals like hedging against inflation. It can still be a volatile asset, so it may not be your top choice overall as a store of value, and during some recent periods of inflation it has been more volatile than you might expect from a hedge.
One advantage of Bitcoin is that it is the most widely accepted type of crypto as a payment method in the real world, which could help support its value. It’s also the most commonly traded crypto aside from a stablecoin (which is meant to hold its value relative to the dollar) and has been on a strong bull run.
Ether (ETH)
While Bitcoin is often used as a payment method, Ether is another very popular type of cryptocurrency. Ether is the native cryptocurrency of the Ethereum blockchain network, a platform that’s a leader in smart contracts and the overall DeFi ecosystem.
Many NFTs run on the Ethereum network, which can help support its value, along with the proliferation of Layer-2 solutions built on top of Ethereum. Also, unlike some other blockchains that rely on energy-intensive Proof of Work (PoW) processes, Ethereum switched to Proof of Stake (PoS), meaning that owning Ether could potentially provide value for staking purposes.
Meanwhile, the Ethereum blockchain continues to evolve, with many planned updates on its roadmap, which could help Ether. Ether-backed ETFs also help bring in institutional support and increase accessibility.
However, ETH has struggled price-wise in recent years compared to Bitcoin’s rapid gains. That doesn’t necessarily mean these trends will continue, but it’s worth noting.
Solana (SOL)
While not quite as common as BTC or ETH, Solana (SOL) is another popular type of crypto, which runs on its own high-speed blockchain, that has had one of fastest-growing developer ecosystems globally.
In particular, Solana is often used in NFTs and gaming, and its combined Proof of History (PoH) and PoS processes claim to be more environmentally friendly than many other blockchains.
Prices can be volatile, though, and it doesn’t have the same institutional support as Bitcoin and Ether. The Solana network has also experienced some high-profile outages in recent years. However, it has been rumored as an ETF candidate, which could potentially boost its price if that comes to fruition.
Chainlink (LINK)
Chainlink, initially built as a token on top of the Ethereum network, is considered the leader in decentralized oracles for smart contracts. This means that it is often used to link external networks to smart contracts — for example, incorporating weather data to initiate insurance payouts.
With its blockchain linking capabilities, Chainlink has become crucial to DeFi infrastructure and the tokenization of real-world assets (RWA). While it doesn’t have ETF institutionalization like Bitcoin and Ether, Chainlink has started to collaborate with major financial institutions, such as the global messaging network Swift and depositories like Euroclear and Clearstream that help form the plumbing of the global financial system.
If the traditional finance world continues to show interest in crypto, and as Chainlink continues to develop and form partnerships within traditional finance and DeFi, that could potentially support higher prices. Like with many other crypto assets, though, it has had its fair share of volatility.
Other Emerging Altcoins
Any coin or token that’s not Bitcoin is generally grouped under the umbrella of altcoins. While some like Solana and Chainlink hold appeal to many investors in 2025, you might also stay on the lookout for under-the-radar coins that have increasing use cases that could support higher valuations later.
For example, consider looking into trending areas like AI tokens and Layer-2 rollups. Arbitrum (ARB) and Optimism (OP) are examples of Layer-2 scaling solutions, and Render (RNDR), a decentralized GPU rendering platform, could potentially ride the AI wave. Still, as with any crypto, be sure to review the underlying tokenomics, development activity, and community strength to find altcoins that seem to have strong potential, legitimacy, and align with your risk tolerance.
How to Choose the Right Crypto to Buy
While every investor has their own preferences and practices, some best practices for choosing the right crypto include the following:
Understand the Project’s Use Case
In many cases, a cryptocurrency gets its value at least in part from its underlying use case (although there are also meme coins that are more about vibes than practicality). Consider the problem a crypto asset solves to see if you think it has potential to grow. If the potential lies more in speculation than real-world utility, be prepared to take that risk before investing.
Also, consider factors like enterprise/institutional adoption and ecosystem growth, which could support higher demand and drive up prices.
Check Market Capitalization and Liquidity
Be sure to review a cryptocurrency’s market cap and liquidity before investing in it. There are large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap coins and tokens, with large-caps being ones with high total valuations and small-caps having low valuations. Keep in mind that while market caps are often calculated based on the value of all of an asset’s circulating supply, sometimes this reflects fully diluted supply.
Also, don’t assume that large-caps are inherently better. The high valuation could mean that the token has little room left to grow, whereas a small-cap might have more potential. Yet small-caps also might be more volatile, whereas more established large-caps tend to have greater liquidity. The more liquidity, the easier it is to trade and avoid issues like slippage. Still, much depends on the specific crypto. This is just one factor to consider in determining what aligns with your investment preferences.
Analyze Team, Community, and Roadmap
Especially if you’re considering buying an emerging altcoin, look carefully at the development team, the community, and the project roadmap. Ideally, there should be transparency and experience behind the development team. A large, engaged community, such as on social media, could also be a good sign. Plans for new product launches or network upgrades could also point to increased demand, but keep in mind that these might not come to fruition.
Where to Buy the Best Cryptos in 2025
There are several places to buy crypto, such as through:
Centralized Exchanges (CEXs)
Similar to stock exchanges, some of the most popular crypto trades on centralized exchanges (CEXs) that tend to offer guaranteed liquidity and make trading relatively easy for beginners. These exchanges typically handle custody for you in their own custodial wallets, rather than your own self-custody wallet. This can help in terms of ease of use but means you have less control and may have to follow stricter regulatory controls.
Some examples of popular CEXs include Binance, Bybit, Coinbase, and Kraken. Consider how platforms differ in terms of user experience, security, and depth of offerings before choosing one.
Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs)
For more advanced crypto investors, decentralized exchanges (DEXs) might be preferred, as you can use a self-custody wallet and may have access to a broader range of token swaps, especially for early-stage projects. However, liquidity may be more limited than with CEXs, especially for more niche projects.
Some examples of popular DEXs include PancakeSwap, SushiSwap, and Uniswap. These tend to have broad support for many different types of crypto wallets, such as MetaMask, Best Wallet, or Trust Wallet. Investigate to make sure you find one that has the right compatibility and features you’re looking for.
Investing Through Mobile Apps and Brokers
Increasingly, brokerage platforms and fintech mobile apps offer options for trading crypto. Some examples include eToro, Revolut, and Robinhood, though the availability can vary by region, and the processes can vary significantly by platform, such as with some offering custody and others requiring you to use a self-custody wallet. Others simply provide exposure to crypto prices, such as through crypto ETFs, but you don’t actually own the underlying crypto assets. In general, though, these types of platforms tend to offer straightforward user interfaces resembling stock trading.
Tips for Buying and Holding Crypto Wisely
While there are never any guarantees when it comes to investing, especially in crypto, which can be quite volatile, some tips that might improve your experience include:
Start Small and Diversify Your Portfolio
Before getting in too deep and taking on a lot of risk with one coin, start investing small amounts to get comfortable with how trading works, and consider diversifying your portfolio with different types of crypto and other assets. For example, you might buy some blue-chip crypto like Bitcoin and Ether, along with some up-and-coming ones. As time goes on, consider adjusting your allocations to match changes to your risk tolerance and long-term goals.
Use Secure Wallets for Storage
Security is key with crypto, as the industry is generally less regulated than many other areas of finance. There are not always the same controls in place to get your money back in a case of fraud. Make sure you evaluate different wallets based on their security protocols, and consider different types based on your needs.
Hot wallets are often used for frequent trading because they’re connected online and thus allow for fast transactions, but they might make it easier for cybercriminals to access your seed phrase.
In contrast, cold wallets like Ledger and Trezor are hardware-based and thus potentially offer more security for long-term crypto holdings. Still, you need to consider the physical security of these devices.
Make sure you securely back up your seed phrase, such as in an offline location so that it can’t be hacked but remains secure. Investigate any wallet you intend to use, and look for security features like biometric login, PIN protection, two-factor authentication, and private key encryption.
Track Performance and Stay Updated
With a diversified portfolio, you’ll want to keep track of how your crypto assets are doing. You can use portfolio-tracking apps like CoinStats or Delta by eToro, or consider an all-in-one app like Best Wallet.
You can also stay updated beyond current prices and get a sense of what might happen going forward, such as by following credible crypto news sources and social media updates. Still, don’t take every tip as gospel. Make sure you’re assessing the reliability of any sources and compare what they’re saying with your own research and intuition.
Be sure to reassess your holdings periodically to see if you want to make any adjustments based on market developments, project milestones, or changes to your own goals or risk tolerance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Which Crypto to Buy Now
Should I invest in Bitcoin or explore smaller altcoins?
The answer depends on your preferences. Bitcoin is highly liquid and has plenty of expert analysis that you can review, whereas smaller altcoins might be harder to trade and assess. However, it’s possible that smaller altcoins have greater return potential, by nature of their size, like how some startup stocks grow faster than more established companies. Yet this potential reward can come with greater risk and volatility in many cases.
What is the safest cryptocurrency to invest in long-term?
No one really knows what the safest cryptocurrency to invest in long-term is, as there are all sorts of variables that can affect prices. In general, highly liquid, long-established cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ether tend to be safer than many new, unproven coins or tokens.
How much should I invest in crypto as a beginner?
The right amount to invest in crypto as a beginner depends on your overall finances, but in general, never invest more than you can afford to lose. And consider starting with an amount that’s a sliver of your overall investment portfolio, rather than making crypto your main investment right off the bat.
Created by the Commerce team at Business Insider with Best Wallet.