Bitcoin often dominates conversations about cryptocurrencies, but the types of crypto extend far beyond one coin. Thousands of digital assets exist, and those that are not Bitcoin are commonly labeled altcoins, or alternatives to the original cryptocurrency.
Key Takeaways
- Bitcoin remains the world’s largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization.
- Ethereum holds the No. 2 spot, with a valuation at roughly one-quarter of Bitcoin’s size.
- According to CoinMarketCap, the combined value of all digital currencies is about $3.92 trillion.
Although Bitcoin was the first major cryptocurrency to launch in 2009, many other crypto assets have since gained significant traction, even if they have not matched Bitcoin’s scale.
At a high level, crypto assets are often grouped by what they do. Coins are native to a blockchain (for example, Bitcoin on the Bitcoin network or ether on Ethereum), while tokens are created on top of an existing blockchain and can represent everything from app access to voting power. Common token categories include utility tokens (used for features, fees, or access), security tokens (designed to represent an investment contract or ownership interest), and governance tokens (used to vote on protocol rules or treasury decisions). Stablecoins are designed to hold a steadier value, typically by tracking a reference asset such as the U.S. dollar. Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are unique digital items recorded on a blockchain; they rely on crypto networks and wallets, but they generally represent ownership or authenticity rather than functioning as everyday money.
Different types can offer different benefits. Coins often serve as the base asset for a network (and may be used for fees, security, and transfers). Utility tokens can unlock services inside specific apps. Governance tokens can give holders a say in how a protocol evolves. Stablecoins can be useful for parking value, trading between assets, and moving funds without as much short-term price movement. NFTs can enable provable ownership of a specific digital collectible or credential, though they typically behave more like speculative assets than currency.
Below are the biggest cryptocurrencies by the total dollar value of all coins in circulation — their market cap. (Data is from as of Aug. 29, 2026.)
| Rank | Name (Symbol) | Price | Market Cap | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bitcoin (BTC) | $110,568.18 | $2.2 trillion | Original cryptocurrency; widely used as a benchmark for the market. |
| 2 | Ethereum (ETH) | $4,390.28 | $529.94 billion | Smart-contract platform powering apps, tokens, and on-chain finance. |
| 3 | Xrp (Xrp) | $2.87 | $170.96 billion | Payment-focused asset associated with Ripple’s cross-border tooling. |
| 4 | Tether (Usdt) | $1.00 | $167.41 billion | Dollar-tracking stablecoin commonly used for trading and transfers. |
| 5 | Bnb (Bnb) | $862.14 | $120 billion | Exchange-ecosystem coin used for fees, apps, and certain payments. |
| 6 | Solana (Sol) | $210.44 | $113.8 billion | High-throughput blockchain used for apps, tokens, and trading activity. |
| 7 | Usd Coin (Usdc) | $1.00 | $70.65 billion | Dollar-pegged stablecoin positioned around reserves and compliance. |
| 8 | Dogecoin (Doge) | $0.2175 | $32.79 billion | Meme-inspired coin with uncapped issuance and payment use cases. |
| 9 | Tron (Trx) | $0.3398 | $32.17 billion | App platform with a focus on transactions and on-chain content. |
| 10 | Cardano (Ada) | $0.8365 | $29.89 billion | Smart-contract chain positioned around research-driven development. |
| 11 | Chainlink (Link) | $23.50 | $15.94 billion | Oracle network that supplies external data to smart contracts. |
| 12 | Hyperliquid (Hype) | $45.26 | $15.10 billion | Exchange-focused chain built around advanced trading features. |
Largest Cryptocurrencies by Market Cap
1. Bitcoin (BTC)
- Price:$110,568.18
- Market Cap:$2.2 trillion
Bitcoin introduced the modern crypto era and remains the reference point for digital currency. Credited to the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto, it debuted in 2009 and has experienced dramatic price swings. It broke into the mainstream in 2017. In 2024, U.S. regulators cleared exchange-traded funds that hold Bitcoin directly, giving investors a simpler way to gain exposure.
2. Ethereum (ETH)
- Price:$4,390.28
- Market Cap:$529.94 billion
Ethereum is a blockchain platform whose native token is ether. Beyond sending value, its programmable smart contracts power a wide range of applications, helping explain why Ethereum remains the second-most recognized crypto network.
3. Xrp (Xrp)
- Price:$2.87
- Market Cap:$170.96 billion
Launched by Ripple in 2012, Xrp facilitates payments across multiple fiat currencies. It is designed for fast, cross-border transfers using a trustless settlement approach.
4. Tether (Usdt)
- Price:$1.00
- Market Cap:$167.41 billion
Tether is a stablecoin intended to track the U.S. dollar at $1 per token. Stablecoins aim to reduce price volatility by tying their value to a reference asset and using mechanisms such as reserves, collateral, and issuance/redemption processes to keep the price near its target. Common stablecoin designs include fiat-backed stablecoins (supported by cash and cash-like reserves), crypto-backed stablecoins (overcollateralized with other crypto assets), and algorithmic stablecoins (which rely on supply-and-demand mechanisms rather than direct collateral). Traders frequently use it as a bridge when moving between cryptocurrencies instead of converting back to U.S. dollars. Critics, however, have questioned the composition and safety of the reserves supporting its peg.
5. Bnb (Bnb)
- Price:$862.14
- Market Cap:$120 billion
Bnb is issued by Binance, one of the largest crypto exchanges. It began as a utility token for discounted trading fees but has grown to support payments and various purchases within the broader ecosystem.
6. Solana (Sol)
- Price:$210.44
- Market Cap:$113.8 billion
Solana, introduced in March 2020, emphasizes high throughput and low-latency transactions on a scalable blockchain. Supply of Sol is capped at 480 million coins.
7. Usd Coin (Usdc)
- Price:$1.00
- Market Cap:$70.65 billion
Usd Coin is a dollar-pegged stablecoin. Its sponsors state it is backed by fully reserved assets or equivalents, with holdings kept at regulated U.S. financial institutions to help maintain a stable value.
8. Dogecoin (Doge)
- Price:$0.2175
- Market Cap:$32.79 billion
Dogecoin began as a lighthearted project inspired by a Shiba Inu meme. Unlike many crypto assets with capped supply, Dogecoin has no maximum issuance, and it can be used for payments or tipping.
9. Tron (Trx)
- Price:$0.3398
- Market Cap:$32.17 billion
Tron is a decentralized platform for building applications, founded in 2017. Its native token is Trx. In 2018, the organization behind Tron acquired the peer-to-peer network BitTorrent.
10. Cardano (Ada)
- Price:$0.8365
- Market Cap:$29.89 billion
Cardano is the blockchain behind the Ada token. Created by a co-founder of Ethereum, Cardano supports smart contracts and use cases such as identity and credential management.
11. Chainlink (Link)
- Price:$23.50
- Market Cap:$15.94 billion
Chainlink powers a network of oracles that feed off-chain data into smart contracts. Link is used to compensate operators, making the service integral to many DeFi applications.
12. Hyperliquid (Hype)
- Price:$45.26
- Market Cap:$15.10 billion
Hyperliquid is a decentralized exchange running on its own blockchain, featuring advanced tools such as perpetual futures and margin trading. Hype serves as the platform’s native coin.
Bottom Line
Crypto wallets are tools for holding and using crypto assets by managing the keys that authorize transactions. Hot wallets are connected to the internet (often as mobile or desktop software wallets), which can be convenient but may increase exposure to online threats. Cold wallets keep keys offline; hardware wallets are a common cold-wallet option. Another key distinction is custodial vs. non-custodial: custodial wallets are managed by a third party (such as an exchange), while non-custodial wallets put you in control of the keys, which also means you’re responsible for backups and recovery.
No single “best” type of crypto fits everyone, because the choice depends on goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. In general, major network coins tend to be highly volatile but may offer broader liquidity and longer track records than many smaller assets. Utility, governance, and other application tokens can have higher upside if adoption grows, but they may also carry extra risks tied to the underlying project, smart-contract design, and market depth. Stablecoins are typically used to reduce day-to-day price swings rather than to seek large price appreciation, and they introduce their own risks (such as reserve, counterparty, and regulatory concerns). NFTs are not usually treated as a currency investment; they are unique assets whose value can depend heavily on demand, creator reputation, and marketplace liquidity.
Risks can vary by category. Coins and non-stable tokens can face sharp volatility and shifting regulatory treatment. Tokens may also carry smart-contract, governance, or issuer risks depending on how they’re designed and distributed. Stablecoins can face depegging risk if reserves, collateral, or market mechanics fail under stress. NFTs can be vulnerable to illiquidity, pricing uncertainty, and platform-specific risks, since selling quickly at a fair price is not always possible.
In crypto markets, price risk is only one piece of the puzzle; liquidity, custody, and shifting rules can matter just as much when conditions change fast.
Crypto remains a high-risk arena. Only commit money you can afford to lose, and remember that individual traders may face sophisticated counterparties, which can make participation especially challenging for beginners.
Editorial Disclaimer: Conduct independent research before investing, and remember that past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
