The crypto market is heating up, with the overall market cap rising by 12% over the last month. So what’s the best crypto to buy right now?

The answer, as always, is that it depends. Your risk appetite, goals, and the balance of your overall portfolio will likely inform your choice. We can, however, show you some interesting options!

How to choose the best crypto to buy right now

Here are a few common factors we take a look at when assessing the best altcoins to buy now.

• Market Capitalization
• Recent Performance
• Technological Advancements
• Upcoming Catalysts
• Community Support

This isn’t a straightforward case of picking projects with higher market caps or great recent price performance. Sometimes an investor prefers to find a small-cap project to invest in, although these are higher risk. Some investors may also prefer crypto with poor recent price performance due to the perception that it may be undervalued.

Top cryptos to buy now

Let’s kick, things off and check out our list of cryptos!

1. Ethereum (ETH)

Ethereum will very often make the list of best cryptos to invest in no matter who’s making it. Ethereum is the leading blockchain network underpinning the flourishing Web3 and DeFi industries, with countless potential use cases.

Potential Price Catalyst

• ETF Approval: The SEC’s recent approval of Ethereum ETFs is expected to drive significant capital inflows.
• Scalability Upgrades: Upcoming Layer 2 solutions could increase the number of transactions Ethereum can handle while also reducing fees.

Should I buy Ethereum now?

With institutional investments on the rise and continuous technological improvements, Ethereum could be poised for significant growth. Its ongoing upgrades and the potential price surge from ETF trading make it an attractive candidate to interested investors, while issues like a lack of regulatory compliance or a wider market downturn could negatively impact the price.

2. Bitcoin (BTC)

Needing no introduction, Bitcoin is the world’s first cryptocurrency and remains the largest with a huge market cap of .3 trillion, dominating the market.

Potential Price Catalyst

• Bitcoin Halving: Recent halving events have historically coincided with price increases.
• ETF Approval: Like Ethereum, Bitcoin ETFs have recently been approved, attracting more institutional investment.

Should I buy Bitcoin now?

Bitcoin is an interesting prospect. It was literally the best performing asset class in the world throughout 2024 and the previous year, outshining stocks and commodities alike. For that reason, a BTC investment may be a double-edged sword.

It’s appealing due to the impressive price history, but the fact that BTC is near an all-time price high may put some investors off, with many preferring to buy in at what they feel is a lower point in the future price trajectory.

3. Binance Coin (BNB)

BNB is the native token to the Binance exchange and Binance Smart Chain, offering discounts on trading fees to users and thus providing quite a lot of practical utility.

Potential Price Catalyst

• DeFi Integration: BNB’s integration with Binance Smart Chain supports numerous DeFi projects.
• User Benefits: BNB holders enjoy reduced trading fees and exclusive token sales.

Should I buy Binance Coin now?

Binance Coin saw a fairly hefty 27% price fluctuation this past week, with high trading volume and volatility providing plenty of swing trading opportunities for savvy investors.

Of course, the coin is also being held by long-term investors. BNB has a very valuable use case, but is also vulnerable to the successes and failures of the Binance exchange which has recently been embroiled in a money-laundering scandal.

4. Solana (SOL)

No list would be complete without at least one contender for the Ethereum throne, and here we’re going with Solana. The network allows for rapid transactions and low fees, giving it a potential advantage over Ethereum if upcoming Ethereum network updates prove underwhelming.

Regardless, Solana is building out its own community and projects, with a growing number of developers creating apps on the platform.

Potential Price Catalyst

• Cross-Chain Integration: Integration with LayerZero for cross-chain transfers enhances its functionality.
• Stablecoin Launch: PayPal’s stablecoin launch on Solana highlights its growing ecosystem.

Should I buy Solana now?

Solana has remained relatively flat price-wise over the last month, with a 10% increase in 30 days and a 1% drop over the last week as the price continues to bounce off of established levels of support and resistance.

5. Polkadot (DOT)

Polkadot is a major project working on something crucial to the success of the blockchain industry, namely interoperability. The goal of the project is to enable multiple blockchains to work together and transfer information and funds between each other with full compatibility.

Potential Price Catalyst

• Parachain Technology: Unique technology supporting scalability and interoperability.
• Developer Community: Strong support from developers ensures ongoing innovation.

Should I buy Polkadot now?

Polkadot prices are down almost 8% in the last week, and it is now trading at .57 and battling to stay above crucial levels of resistance at .40. This presents an interesting case for traders looking to buy potentially undervalued projects, although of course, timing the bottom is no easy feat.

Final thoughts on the best crypto to buy now

Ethereum and Bitcoin remain the top choices for many analysts throughout the industry due to the popularity and functionality of these household-name cryptos. However, Solana, Binance Coin, and Polkadot are also interesting contenders at the moment due to a mixture of the unique price action and possible price catalysts exhibited by each coin.

At the end of the day, risk management is key. When choosing the best crypto to buy today, investors typically set specific price targets and stick to a strict set of rules when it comes to their profit-loss ratio and other best practices of crypto trading.