With a new token popping up every other day, finding cryptocurrencies with the best returns can be a puzzle. So, we have done the work for you.
Here is our list of top 10 tokens to keep an eye on this year:
1. UpLift (LIFT)
If you’re looking to get in on the ground floor of an extremely promising project, look no further than LIFT, the native token of UpLift DAO. This IDO launchpad helps users discover the next big crypto projects through a fair and decentralized lottery-based token allocation system, so not only are you investing in the token itself, but you gain access to regular IDO opportunities to acquire tokens in other exciting, high-potential projects. UpLift fosters the growth of promising projects from diverse sectors including DeFi, NFT, and GameFi. UpLift’s streamlined vetting process makes sure that only disruptive projects with proven teams qualify for the IDOs.
For its unique value propositions, UpLift DAO won the Accelerator of the Year Award at the AIBC Summit in 2021. As UpLift gears up for more action with new project listings, LIFT gives users the opportunity to be a part of the growing ecosystem.
LIFT supports an array of utilities in the UpLift ecosystem like staking, incentivization, and voting. Depending on the amount and duration of staking, users can claim lucrative yields on LIFT tokens. Staking also gives exclusive access to IDOs on the launchpad at low prices.
2. Bitcoin (BTC)
Bitcoin is to crypto what gold is to the traditional market. Whether you are a newbie or a seasoned crypto investor, this is one coin you should absolutely have in your portfolio. Bitcoin comfortably tops the charts with a whopping $800 billion fully diluted market cap. Being the first crypto coin to ever grace the planet, bitcoin has a special place in history, which increases its allure. If you had managed to acquire and hold bitcoin in its earliest days, your return on investment would be over 28000% today.
3. Ethereum (ETH)
For a long time, Bitcoin was synonymous with blockchain technology. This all changed when Vitalik Buterin first described ethereum in 2013. More than just a token, the ethereum blockchain showed us what the technology is capable of, beyond making payments. In the last few years, ETH has grown considerably, touching a market cap of over $310 billion, at the time of writing. Had you bought during its ICO in 2014, you would have quadrupled your investment every year with a return on investment at an annualized rate of over 270%. If you are looking for blue-chip coins, ETH is one to consider.
4. Binance Coin (BNB)
Launched in July 2017, Binance Coin is the native coin of Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange. It is used to trade and pay fees on the exchange. Since the launch of BSC (Binance Smart Chain), it is also used to facilitate transactions on the network and is instrumental in the functionality of many Binance sub-projects. As crypto becomes mainstream and Binance acquires more users, the demand for BNB is expected to grow this year. Its current market cap Is over $62 billion, making it currently the fourth most popular crypto coin overall.
5. Polygon (MATIC)
Out of the ethereum ecosystem, a number of new coins emerged. One of the most prominent and versatile is Matic, an ERC20 token used for payment services, transaction fees, and governance on the Polygon network, the leading platform for Ethereum scaling and infrastructure development. Its growing suite of products offers developers easy access to all major scaling and infrastructure solutions: L2 solutions (ZK Rollups and Optimistic Rollups), sidechains, hybrid solutions, stand-alone and enterprise chains, data availability solutions, and more. Polygon’s scaling solutions have seen widespread adoption with 7000+ applications hosted, 1B+ total transactions processed, ~100M+ unique user addresses, and $5B+ in assets secured.
6. Cardano (ADA)
Cardano, founded in 2015 and touted as a potential Ethereum killer, is an early proof-of-stake blockchain that aims beyond facilitating transactions, and works to bring about positive global change. It boasts a comparatively lower transaction time and decreases energy usage and environmental impact, amassing a huge fan base. Cardano has been seeing a surge in interest in the last few months owing to the new wave of projects building on the blockchain, from supply chain tracking and authenticating goods to credential storage. As of September 2021, smart contract functionality was enabled on the Cardano blockchain, enabling the development of native dapps. ADA hit an all-time high of $3.01 earlier that month and is poised to gain more strength this year.
7. Polkadot (DOT)
The Polkadot blockchain allows for distributed computing and uses a proof of stake consensus algorithm. However, what really sets apart the project is that it aims to enable cross-blockchain transfers of any type of data or asset, not just tokens. Polkadot parachain auctions are progressing in full swing, motivating the ecosystem to drive innovation with new projects. The DOT token can be staked, used for governance, and for bonding to connect with parachains. It hit its all-time-high in November 2021 at $55.
8. Solana (SOL)
Solana officially launched in March 2020 and employs a hybrid proof-of-stake and proof-of-history mechanism for faster and safer transactions. This innovative consensus model appeals to both small and large traders, and it currently enjoys a market cap of over $27 billion. There is an array of DeFi and NFT projects building on the blockchain, ready to nurture the ecosystem.
9. XRP (XRP)
Ripple (XRP) was founded in 2012 by Jed McCaleb and Chris Larsen. Compared to other cryptocurrencies, Ripple takes much less energy and time to confirm transactions. Although the project went through some regulatory hurdles, Ripple’s dive into new sectors is expected to nourish the value of XRP.
10. Terra (LUNA)
Terra launched in April 2019, as a project geared at encouraging rapid adoption of blockchain and crypto by focusing on price stability and usability. Terra distinguishes itself by using stablecoins, adjusting their supply based on the demand for LUNA. By incentivizing LUNA holders to exchange for stablecoins and vice versa at beneficial rates, the supply is able to match demand. LUNA reached its all-time-high at the end of 2021, and is currently trending back up to that price point. Market cap is close to $30 billion currently.
