The world of digital assets has long gone beyond just Bitcoin. Now altcoins in cryptocurrency are not just analogs of the first coin, but a full-fledged ecosystem that includes various technologies, goals, and applications. To navigate the digital market correctly, it is necessary to understand what altcoins exist, how they are structured, and why they are needed in general. This article will help you understand the essence of the phenomenon and identify which coins truly deserve attention today.
Varieties and functions of altcoins in cryptocurrency
In English translation, altcoins mean “alternative coins,” that is, everything that is not Bitcoin. Their role is diverse: from means of exchange to tokens governing decentralized systems. Today, altcoins in cryptocurrency can be classified into several categories:

- Payment coins – used for transferring value. Example – Litecoin;
- Platform coins – used for smart contracts. The most famous one is Ethereum;
- Stablecoins – their value is pegged to fiat currencies. A prominent example is Tether;
- Governance tokens – provide the right to participate in project development, which is especially important for DAO and DeFi;
- Meme coins – created for community and hype. For example – Dogecoin or Shiba Inu.
Among the goals of such assets, we can highlight increasing transaction speed, enhancing privacy, implementing cloud solutions, and new approaches to managing resources within blockchains.
Top altcoins in cryptocurrency: who deserves attention in 2025?
Against the backdrop of thousands of digital assets, it is important to highlight truly significant ones. Here is a well-known crypto rating that the entire market follows:
Ethereum (ETH)
Ethereum is not just the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, but the foundation for the entire decentralized applications (dApps) segment. Ethereum is a blockchain platform where smart contracts are created and launched. It underpins the DeFi, NFT, and GameFi ecosystems. The transition to Proof-of-Stake has made the network more energy-efficient and sustainable.
Tether (USDT)
USDT is the most popular stablecoin, tightly pegged to the US dollar. It serves as a bridge between fiat and crypto: traders use it as an “intermediate currency” to lock in profits and protect against volatility. Thanks to high liquidity, USDT is present on almost all cryptocurrency exchanges. Despite ongoing discussions about reserve transparency, Tether remains a primary tool in the arsenal of most investors.
BNB (Binance Coin)
BNB is the native token of the largest centralized exchange Binance. Initially used for fee payment on the platform with a discount, BNB’s functionality has expanded with the growth of the Binance ecosystem. It is now used for participating in IEOs, staking, paying for goods, and even booking services. Additionally, the token is actively used in the BNB Chain ecosystem – the company’s proprietary blockchain, making BNB one of the most utilitarian and in-demand altcoins in cryptocurrency.
Solana (SOL)
Solana has gained popularity due to its high throughput (up to 65,000 transactions per second) and low fees. This is particularly important for projects working with NFTs and gaming dApps. Unlike Ethereum, Solana uses a unique combination of Proof-of-History and Proof-of-Stake algorithms, allowing for high speed without compromising decentralization.
XRP (Ripple)
The Ripple project and its token XRP were initially aimed at banks and fintech companies. It addresses the issue of slow and expensive cross-border transfers by offering instant settlements with minimal fees. XRP operates on its own RippleNet and does not require mining, speeding up transaction processing.
Toncoin (TON)
TON is a blockchain platform originally developed by the Telegram team. After legal difficulties, the development was handed over to the community, and now the project is actively evolving as open and decentralized. Toncoin can be used for internal payments in Telegram, service payments, creating smart contracts, and even launching custom tokens. Considering Telegram’s audience, TON has huge potential, especially in the CIS countries.
Cardano (ADA)
Cardano is a third-generation blockchain created with a scientific approach. Its development is based on academic research and formal code verification. The project offers high scalability, energy efficiency, and a multi-layered architecture, including layers for computations and smart contracts. Cardano is particularly popular in developing countries, where it is used for implementing educational, medical, and financial solutions.
Shiba Inu (SHIB)
SHIB started as a meme token in the spirit of Dogecoin but quickly evolved into an ambitious crypto project with the decentralized exchange ShibaSwap, an NFT direction, and plans to create a metaverse. Behind its growth is not just hype but strong community support. The main advantage of SHIB is active users creating a real ecosystem around the token.
Avalanche (AVAX)
Avalanche is positioned as a blockchain with ultra-fast transaction processing and the ability to launch custom networks. Its architecture allows for the parallel operation of thousands of independent blockchains (subnets), each of which can be tailored to specific goals. The project actively competes with Ethereum in the DeFi space, attracting developers with low fees and a flexible dApp deployment system.
The listed alternative cryptocurrencies hold stable positions in the market and have significant market capitalization. However, one should remember the volatility and risks inherent in the industry.
How to choose a platform for buying and storing?
Before starting to work with cryptocurrency, it is important to make a well-thought-out choice of a trading platform. The security of your funds, ease of use, and overall operational efficiency directly depend on how reliable and convenient the exchange is. Below are key criteria to consider when choosing a crypto exchange:

- Presence of licenses and regulation of the exchange;
- Account protection level (2FA, KYC);
- Fees for deposits/withdrawals and trading;
- Availability of popular tokens;
- Convenience of the interface and responsiveness of customer support.
Among the popular platforms, Binance, Bybit, Kraken, OKX, and KuCoin stand out. Many of them support altcoins in cryptocurrency with high liquidity and offer advanced trading features.
Is it worth investing in altcoins in cryptocurrency in 2025?
Investing in altcoins in cryptocurrency is possible, but it should be done with a calculated approach. They are not just “cheap versions of Bitcoin” but independent products with different logic, purpose, and potential. Their volatility may be intimidating, but with a smart approach, they offer an excellent opportunity to grow capital, especially if you understand the purpose of altcoins and can distinguish between empty projects and truly useful solutions.