12 Best Crypto to Buy Right Now — January 2025

Are you looking to invest in cryptocurrencies but unsure which one to buy? With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to decide how to invest your money. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best crypto to buy now, based on factors such as project developments, price performance, and market capitalization, as well as the overall potential for growth.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the most promising cryptocurrencies, including staples such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, and a combination of several other promising crypto projects. We’ll discuss their features, advantages, and potential drawbacks, as well as provide insights into market trends. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just starting out, this article will help you make an informed decision about the best crypto to buy now. 

So, let’s dive in and explore the best cryptocurrencies to invest in January 2025:

1. Bitcoin – The world’s oldest and largest crypto
2. Hedera – Crypto network based on the Hashgraph algorithm
3. Solana – Smart contracts platform with high speeds and low fees
4. XRP – The leading crypto remittance solution
5. Dogecoin – The original meme coin
6. Cardano – One of the largest blockchain ecosystems
7. Chainlink – A decentralized oracle network
8. Fantom – A high-performance layer-1 blockchain
9. Ethereum – The leading DeFi and smart contract platform
10. EigenLayer – Ethereum restaking protocol
11. Bitget Token – Cryptocurrency utilized by the popular Bitget exchange
12. Uniswap – The largest decentralized trading protocol

The 12 best cryptos to buy right now: Discover top investments for January 2025

The following three cryptocurrency projects highlight our investment selection thanks to important developments and upcoming events that make them especially interesting to follow in the near future. These projects are updated each week based on the most recent developments and trends taking place in the crypto market.

1. Bitcoin

Bitcoin (BTC) is the original decentralized digital currency, enabling peer-to-peer transactions without the need for intermediaries such as banks or financial institutions. It was created in 2009 by an unknown person or group of people using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. Bitcoin was the first digital currency to eliminate the double spending problem without resorting to any central intermediaries.

Bitcoin transactions are recorded on a public ledger called the blockchain, which is maintained by a network of computers around the world. This means that the transactions are secure and transparent, as anyone can view them, but they are also anonymous, as the identity of the participants in the transaction is not revealed.

Bitcoin is often referred to as “digital gold” or a store of value, as it has a limited supply of 21 million coins, and its value is determined by market demand. Some people also see it as a hedge against inflation or a way to diversify their investment portfolio. It is by far the largest cryptocurrency by market cap in the industry, accounting for the value of more than 50% of all digital assets in circulation combined, making it arguably the most popular crypto to buy.

Why Bitcoin?

Bitcoin has set a new all-time high – earlier today, BTC reached $109,481, which is about $1,000 higher than the previous ATH. The surge toward a new high coincides with President Donald Trump’s inauguration and a general belief that the new administration would be very pro-crypto. After all, Trump and his wife, Melania, launched their own respective tokens over the weekend, clearly underscoring their support for crypto. It’s worth noting that both meme coins reached billion-dollar valuations mere hours after their launch. 

Despite positive sentiment over the past couple of days, BTC still faced strong headwinds over the prior weeks. But this is nothing new, at least when looking at historical data. Social media user Axel Bitblaze posted a chart on X that showed how Bitcoin is prone to drops in January in post-halving years. “In January 2017, BTC dumped from $1,185 to $800. In January 2021, BTC dumped from $42,000 to $28,000,” he noted.

However, after the January drop, Bitcoin usually became stronger than ever, and Bitblaze argued for a similar case here. “In January 2025, BTC dumped from $103,000 to $92,000. We all know what happened after the 2017 and 2021 dumps,” he wrote, clearly hinting at a potential rally brewing in the coming weeks and months.

2. Hedera

Hedera (previously called Hedera Hashgraph) is a public distributed ledger and cryptocurrency platform that differs from traditional blockchain technology. Instead of a linear chain, it uses a directed acyclic graph (DAG) called “hashgraph” which allows for faster transaction speeds and higher scalability. This architecture enables Hedera Hashgraph to process transactions in parallel, significantly reducing the time and energy required compared to blockchains.

The platform supports smart contracts, file storage, and offers strong finality, with transactions confirmed within seconds. The native cryptocurrency of the Hedera network is HBAR. It is used to power decentralized applications, pay for transaction fees, and secure the network through staking. Hedera aims to provide a more efficient, secure, and fair digital economy, positioning itself as a next-generation platform for a wide array of applications.

Why Hedera?

HBAR has been one of the most impressive cryptocurrency performers recently. The coin gained nearly 40% in the past week alone, the 6th most in the crypto top 100 in the time period. However, even when looking at longer time periods, HBAR’s performance is nothing short of impressive – the coin gained more than 600% over the past 3 months, which leads all major cryptos (apart from meme coins like Fartcoin).

Last week, the Hashgraph Association announced a partnership with Taurus to enhance secure custody, staking, and tokenization of Hedera’s HBAR cryptocurrency and other assets. The collaboration aims to make Hedera’s ecosystem more accessible to financial institutions globally, focusing on regions with clear regulatory frameworks, such as Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

In related news, Hedera co-founder and other higher-ups at the project attended the first ever “crypto ball,” a gala event celebrating Trump’s upcoming inauguration. In addition to Hedera, the event saw participation from notable individuals from other major US-based crypto projects such as Coinbase, Kraken, Ripple, Crypto.com, MicroStrategy, and many more.

3. Solana

Solana is a smart contract platform known for its distinctive architecture, enabling it to handle thousands of transactions per second while maintaining very low costs. It accomplishes this by using a combination of a unique Proof-of-History algorithm and a Proof-of-Stake consensus mechanism. SOL, the native cryptocurrency of the platform, is one of the cheapest to transfer, with users typically paying less than $0.001 per transaction.

Founded in 2018 by Anatoly Yakovenko, Solana’s mainnet went live in March 2020 and experienced a surge in adoption throughout 2021. Despite a significant drop in value during the 2022 bear market, Solana remains one of the most robust ecosystems in the cryptocurrency space and continues to be seen as a potential candidate for significant future growth.

Why Solana?

After experiencing a prolonged downturn over the past couple of weeks, SOL erased its losses and surged from $178 on January 14 to a new high of $295 on January 19, just a couple of days later. The reason for the massive rally could be attributed to the generally positive sentiment permeating the crypto market, which can be traced to Trump’s inauguration and the belief that his administration will be very crypto-friendly. 

However, Solana probably benefited the most from the historic decision made by Trump and his team to launch the official Trump token on the Solana blockchain. As one would expect, given the current investment climate, the TRUMP coin surged from $20 to $55 just hours after its January 18th launch. In fact, the coin surpassed the $10 billion market cap milestone in less than 24 hours. On top of that, Trump’s wife, Melania, also launched her own token, MELANIA, which currently trades at around $10 and has a market cap of about $2 billion.

Thanks to the unprecedented move by Trump and his team, trading volume on Solana DEXs exploded. According to DeFi Llama, Solana controlled about 58% of all DEX volume during the week ending on January 19th. In other words, more than $89 billion worth of crypto changed hands on Solana DEXs like Raydium and Orca between Jan 12 and Jan 19. Meanwhile, the second closest chain during the time period, BSC, recorded “just” $16 billion in trading activity.

The data from Blockworks shows that users paid as much as $57 million in daily fees on January 19, which is a huge jump from the multi-week average of around $10 million per day. These numbers speak to the chain’s clear economic value and adoption among retail users. What’s more, Solana is one of the cheapest chains overall, which makes this feat all the more impressive.

4. XRP

XRP is a digital cryptocurrency that was created by Ripple Labs in 2012. It is used as a means of payment and transfer of value on the Ripple payment protocol, which is designed to enable fast and secure transactions between financial institutions as well as individuals.

XRP is unique in that it is not based on the blockchain technology used by many other cryptocurrencies. Instead, it uses a distributed consensus ledger called the XRP Ledger, which is maintained by a network of validators. This allows for faster transaction processing times and lower fees compared to traditional payment methods.

XRP has been popular among cryptocurrency traders and investors due to its high liquidity and clear potential for broader adoption, especially as a remittance solution. However, it has also been the subject of controversy and legal action, with US regulators alleging that it is a security and should thus be subjected to securities regulations. This has somewhat hindered the potential of XRP as an investment, and handcuffed Ripple’s growth as a company.

Why XRP?

After explosive growth in November, during which XRP gained about 300%, the cryptocurrency has been moving mostly sideways in the $2.00 – $2.50 range. However, the upcoming administration change in the US, and especially the accompanying shakeup at the helm of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has provided positive tailwinds for XRP.

According to crypto analyst World of Charts, XRP is in a strong position to move toward $4 on the heels of “strong volume.” At the moment, XRP is trading at $3.30, up more than 38% in the past week. As long as the coin’s price doesn’t reach the lower trendline at $2.30, the scenario outlined by the analyst remains in play.

Another crypto analyst, Peter Brandt, believes XRP is in for an even stronger rally, potentially reaching $6.40. Brandt noted that if his observation of technical indicators turns out to be correct, XRP could reach a whopping $500 billion market cap. Assuming no changes in the market cap of other currencies, XRP would overtake ETH as the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization.

According to our algorithmic price prediction, XRP could reach as high as $4.49 in the next 3 months.

5. Dogecoin

Dogecoin, created in 2013 as a joke featuring the Shiba Inu from the “Doge” meme, rapidly evolved into a notable cryptocurrency. Developed by Billy Markus and Jackson Palmer, it aimed to be a more accessible alternative to Bitcoin with a larger, uncapped supply and lower transaction fees. Its primary use has been for online tipping and small transactions, supported by a vibrant community known for charitable activities.

Despite its humorous origins, Dogecoin gained serious traction, especially during the 2021 cryptocurrency boom, driven by social media and high-profile endorsements. Technically similar to Litecoin, it features faster transaction times due to shorter block times. This combination of community support and technical efficiency has maintained Dogecoin’s relevance in the volatile cryptocurrency market.

Why Dogecoin?

Last year, Dogecoin recorded impressive growth in the last quarter, which was mostly related to Elon Musk and his expected work at a new efficiency-focused government agency dubbed D.O.G.E. In fact, the world’s largest meme coin exploded by over 300%, from about 10 cents in early October to as high as 46 cents in early December. The meme coin retraced to 30 cents in the meantime but recently showed impressive growth once more.

Over the past week, DOGE gained 21% and reached as high as 39 cents. The price movement coincided with the increase in whale interest. According to the Twitter account Ali-Charts, crypto whales bought 1.08 billion DOGE (about $417 million at current rates).

Interestingly, Alex Thorn, head of research at Galaxy Digital, recently shared his prediction that DOGE will hit $1 in 2025. “Dogecoin will finally hit $1, with the world’s largest and oldest memecoin touching a $100bn market cap,” he posted on X.

6. Cardano

Cardano was founded by Charles Hoskinson, one of the co-founders of Ethereum, and his team. The main goal of Cardano is to provide a secure, scalable, and sustainable infrastructure for the development of decentralized applications (DApps) and smart contracts.

Cardano’s blockchain is built using a unique layered architecture, separating the settlement layer from the computation layer. This design approach aims to improve the efficiency, flexibility, and security of the platform. The settlement layer is responsible for handling transactions and maintaining the cryptocurrency (ADA) ledger, while the computation layer is used for running smart contracts and executing DApps.

The platform utilizes a consensus algorithm called Ouroboros, which is a type of proof-of-stake (PoS) mechanism. This means that validators (also known as stakeholders) are selected to create new blocks and validate transactions based on the amount of ADA they hold and are willing to “stake” as collateral.

Cardano has a strong focus on academic research and peer-reviewed development. The team emphasizes scientific rigor and evidence-based protocols to ensure that the platform is secure, scalable, and capable of handling complex use cases.

Why Cardano?

Cardano was the biggest gainer in the past week out of all major cryptocurrencies – ADA appreciated by more than 24%, surpassing the $1 mark. 

The price increase follows the introduction of a new Cardano Improvement Proposal (CIP), the CIP-113. According to Cardano developer Matteo, the improvement proposal has been actively developed for more than a year and is currently being finalized.

CIP-113 establishes a new standard for interoperable securities, real-world assets (RWAs), and stablecoins on Cardano, enhancing DeFi capabilities. It introduces smart accounts linked to stake credentials for secure token management, with on-chain registries tracking programmable assets and user statuses (e.g., blacklisted or whitelisted). 

Users can create custom programmable tokens supported by wallets, while a library is being developed to simplify integration for dApps like FluidTokens and MinswapDEX. Finest Tokenize plans to tokenize stocks using this standard, and stablecoins like USDC can freeze or pause transfers when needed. Mixed transactions with native and programmable tokens are supported, and the design is safer than Ethereum’s ERC20 as it eliminates token delegation risks.

The standard is set to be fully operational by Q1 2025, unlocking significant new use cases for Cardano.

7. Chainlink

Chainlink is a decentralized oracle network that acts as a bridge between smart contracts on blockchain platforms and real-world data. Its primary role is to ensure the reliability of data used in smart contracts by connecting to multiple data sources, reducing the risk of data manipulation or failure. This enhances the versatility of smart contracts, allowing them to access and utilize a wide range of external data sources and services beyond their native blockchain environment.

One of Chainlink’s notable features is its security model. It relies on a decentralized network of nodes to fetch and validate data, eliminating the single point of control or failure. However, there are concerns about centralization, with some major node operators having substantial influence in the network. Additionally, integrating Chainlink into smart contracts can be complex, potentially posing challenges for developers.

Chainlink acts as a crucial intermediary, enabling smart contracts to interact with real-world data. It enhances data reliability, expands the potential use cases for smart contracts, and relies on decentralization for security. 

Why Chainlink?

In the past week, LINK jumped by 17% and climbed to the 12th spot on the list of largest cryptocurrencies by market cap. That marked the biggest weekly change out of all the top 25 cryptos and helped the coin reach its highest price in 37 months. The surge follows the revelation that World Liberty Financial, a crypto company backed by former president Donald Trump, bought 78,387 LINK tokens since December 11. 

It’s worth noting that the Trump-backed DeFi project bought ETH and AAVE as well. “To me, it is a way to gain additional trust or a way to boost the project [World Liberty Financial] by shedding light on these assets as the project will likely do well if these assets do,” explained the investment Nicolai Søndergaard, Nansen’s research analyst. 

In addition to World Liberty Financial’s investment, whale activity has probably also played a role in facilitating the large surge in LINK’s price. According to data from Santiment, whales have bought nearly 5.7 million LINK in the last two months, worth about $168 million at the time of writing.

The market activity could be a reflection of the growing confidence in Chainlink and its goal to capture a large chunk of the growing RWA market, which could grow to $10 trillion by 2030, according to some reports. Just recently, the company partnered with Coinbase’s Project Diamond, a platform designed for tokenized assets that is regulated by the Abu Dhabi Global Market. 

8. Fantom 

Fantom is a high-performance layer 1 blockchain built for decentralized finance and other web3 use cases. Following a rebrand in early 2024, Fantom became Sonic Labs, and dedicated a major part of its resources to building a new ecosystem around the Sonic chain. According to the officinal announcement, Sonic Labs will focus on developing decentralized applications while the Sonic Foundation will handle governance and treasury functions..

Sonic is an Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatible layer 1 blockchain that can reach up to 10,000 transactions per second (TPS) and sub-second transaction finality. Moreover, developers who launch their apps on Sonic can earn up to 90% of their fees thanks to a new monetization system.

There are three main components of the new Sonic ecosystem, including SonicVM (the layer 1 mainnet), SonicDB (low latency storage layer), and Sonic Gateway (the native bridge between Sonic and Ethereum. Support for other chains is in the pipeline). 

Why Fantom?

Following the rebrand of Fantom to Sonic Labs in August 2024, the mainnet launch of the new Sonic blockchain is just around the corner. According to the team, the mainnet will go live sometime in December, so at most two weeks from now. 

Sonic will bring several improvements compared to Fantom, including higher TPS count, sub-second finality, and a new fee monetization model that allows developers to earn up to 90% of fees generated by their apps. Moreover, the team plans to airdrop 200 million S tokens to the community. S coin will replace FTM as the native digital asset. FTM holders will be able to convert their holdings to S “soon”, according to the official X post.

To promote the launch of the new chain, the Sonic Foundation has allocated $200 million for grants and credits. As of this writing, more than 100 developers have already committed to launching their apps on Sonic once the mainnet goes live.

A major part of the new Sonic ecosystem will reportedly be real word assets (RWAs). The team has partnered with Backed and Chainlink to provide the necessary infrastructure to tokenize Fortlake Asset Management’s Sigma Opportunities Fund, a managed fixed-income Australian investment fund that targets 7–10% yearly returns.

9. Ethereum

Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and a team of developers, Ethereum is a decentralized, open-source blockchain platform that allows developers to build decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts. 

Ethereum has a wide range of use cases beyond just a store of value or medium of exchange. Ethereum’s smart contract functionality allows developers to build dApps that can run without the need for intermediaries, like centralized servers or institutions.

The Ethereum platform has gained widespread adoption and has become the backbone of the decentralized finance (DeFi) industry. DeFi applications built on Ethereum allow users to access financial services without relying on traditional banks or financial institutions. Ethereum’s smart contract functionality has also enabled the creation of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which have gained popularity in the digital art and gaming worlds.

While Ethereum has a strong community and has been highly influential in the cryptocurrency industry, it also faces challenges, such as scalability issues and high gas fees. These issues have spurred the development of various Layer 2 scaling solutions. In the long run, future updates are supposed to massively increase Ethereum’s throughput bringing the transaction per second (TPS) figure from 15 to 100,000.

Why Ethereum?

While Ethereum’s 1-week gains don’t exactly impress at a mere 2.3%, its overall market dominance increased by a respectable 3.76%. This increase coincides with Bitcoin’s slowly dropping market dominance, which decreased by nearly 2% in the last week, suggesting that most of BTC’s capital outflow was redirected towards Ethereum. Historically, such movements indicate the start of an altcoin season, during which larger altcoins like ETH outperform BTC.

Another factor propelling Ethereum’s growth is the Ethereum ETFs, which have seen inflows in 22 of the last 24 trading days for a net inflow of nearly $2,7 billion. We also shouldn’t ignore the ongoing trend of Ethereum’s outstanding Q1 performance following the United States election and Bitcoin halving, as these seem to be Ethereum’s top-performing quarters. 

Long-term holders seem to be confident in Ethereum’s performance, as the number of ETH long-term holders (those who hold ETH for over a year) increased from 59% in January 2024 to 75% now, while BTC long-term holders decreased from 70% to 62% in the same time period. While this is just one of many metrics used to judge market sentiment, it suggests growing confidence in Ethereum as we head to 2025.

10. EigenLayer

EigenLayer is an innovative protocol in the Ethereum ecosystem designed to enhance blockchain functionality by enabling restaking. It allows Ethereum validators to reuse their staked ETH as collateral for securing additional decentralized services, such as data availability, oracle networks, or bridges, fostering a dynamic layer of trust without requiring additional resources.

The project operates as a middle layer, connecting Ethereum’s secure base layer to various modular systems, improving scalability and interoperability. EigenLayer ensures security by leveraging the economic stake already locked in Ethereum’s proof-of-stake consensus, making it a cost-efficient solution for emerging blockchain projects.

By offering a platform for customizable security services, EigenLayer incentivizes innovation while maintaining decentralization. It supports the development of novel applications that require high security guarantees without overburdening Ethereum’s mainnet, creating opportunities for both developers and validators to contribute to the ecosystem while earning additional rewards.

Why EigenLayer?

EigenLayer has announced a new protocol upgrade that’s set to revamp the existing reward structure. Dubbed “Rewards v2,” the upgrade is reportedly set to bring “greater flexibility, efficiency, and customization to rewards within the EigenLayer ecosystem.”

According to the official blog post, the upgrade will roll out to the testnet on December 12th. The mainnet rollout will follow sometime in January, with the exact date not yet confirmed.

The upgrade will focus on three key areas – here’s how the team explained each of them:

• Operator-Directed Rewards: AVSs can reward Operators based on performance or custom logic
• Variable Operator Fees: Operators can set their own fee rates per AVS, providing economic flexibility and attracting diverse participation
• Batch Rewards Claiming: Stakers and Operators can claim multiple rewards in a single transaction, reducing gas costs

EigenLayer has been one of the biggest success stories in the DeFi space in 2024. Since the start of the year, the total value locked increased from “just” $1.34 billion in January to over $19.6 billion at the time of writing (per data from DeFi Llama). Meanwhile, the EIGEN token’s value nearly doubled in the past couple of weeks, from about $2.28 on November 21 to $4.51 on December 9.

11. Bitget Token

Bitget Token (BGB) is the native token of the Bitget cryptocurrency exchange, offering a range of exclusive benefits to its holders. Launched in 2021, 3 years after the Bitget exchange, BGB provides users with reduced trading fees, access to promotional campaigns, and eligibility for premium features on the Bitget platform, including launchpad participation and staking opportunities.

In addition to being a utility token for the exchange, BGB is also central to the Bitget Wallet, providing users with governance rigths and rewards. Its design is aimed at fostering a robust community of traders and investors, making it a valuable asset for those participating in the Bitget ecosystem.

Why Bitget Token?

After months of stagnation in the $1 price range, the Bitget token experienced a massive price surge in December, rising by over 50% just in the last week to reach its new ATH of $8.49 on December 27th. This marks the biggest weekly change out of the top 50 cryptos, and is one of the few cryptocurrencies that is still on the bullish trend.

The increase comes on the back of Bitget’s token merger of their Bitget Wallet Token with the Bitget Token. This merged token will integrate with both the centralized cryptocurrency exchange and the Bitget Wallet, serving as the sole ecosystem token. This allows holders to access features of both platforms, without needing to hold separate tokens. 

Shortly after the merger, Bitget announced plans to burn 40% of the BGB token’s total supply (amounting to around 800 million tokens). They will also introduce quarterly burns of the BGB token by using 20% of their total profits from the exchange and wallet platforms to buy back and burn tokens, starting in 2025. This common strategy was first employed by Binance, with other exchanges following suit shortly after. 

12. Uniswap

Uniswap is a decentralized exchange (DEX) that runs on the Ethereum blockchain. It was created in 2018 by Hayden Adams, and it allows users to trade various cryptocurrencies without the need for an intermediary or central authority.

Uniswap uses an automated market maker (AMM) system, which means that there is no order book or centralized exchange to match buyers and sellers. Instead, liquidity providers (LPs) contribute funds to liquidity pools, which are used to execute trades. Traders can swap one cryptocurrency for another by exchanging tokens with the liquidity pool, which uses a mathematical formula to determine the exchange rate.

The native cryptocurrency of the Uniswap platform is UNI, which is used for governance and for providing incentives to liquidity providers. UNI holders can participate in platform governance, including proposing and voting on changes to the protocol.

In the six years since its launch, Uniswap has grown to become the most popular decentralized exchange in the cryptocurrency ecosystem, with billions of dollars in trading volume and a large community of users and developers.

Why Uniswap?

Uniswap developers Uniswap Labs have announced their plans for a layer-2 network that will run on Ethereum. The L2 solution will be called Unichain and will be built on Optimism’s OP Stack.

According to the developers, the new L2 will be incredibly fast and will easily facilitate token swapping across multiple blockchains. Here’s what the developers wrote on X:

Unichain will be so fast, transactions will feel instant. It launches with 1 second block times, with 200-250 millisecond sub-block times coming soon. This type of speed isn’t just great for UX, it also improves market efficiency and lowers value lost to MEV.

Uniswap’s L2 solution could save an immense amount of funds over the course of a year. According to  DeFi Report founder Michael Nadeau, $368 million in fees was paid out to Ethereum validators last year alone. Nadeau said that the winners of Uniswap’s move to Unichain will be Uniswap Labs, UNI token holders, liquidity providers, and Optimis. Meanwhile, Ethereum validators, ETH holders, and L2s currently enabling Uniswap will end up on the losing side.

Best cryptocurrencies to buy at a glance