Crypto Round-Up: 10 Biggest Crypto Coins of 2021

This November, The Fintech Times is looking to broaden the understanding of digital currencies, ranging from blockchain’s use outside of crypto to CBDCs, in an attempt to replace the notion that digital currencies are a synonym for crypto.

Whether you’ve bought it in the hope of a good investment, used it to transfer value across the world, or are just generally bewitched by its way, there’s no denying that the last 12 months have been full of highs and lows and climbs and crawls for cryptocurrency.

And it’s been a hot topic here on the pages of The Fintech Times. The year full of highlights, including new rises in the number of female investors entering the industry, record-breaking amounts of people adopting crypto, everything in El Salvador, whilst someone somewhere is cruising around in a Lamborghini purchased through bitcoin.

And as each day’s crypto news hits the headlines, crypto wallets come out, trades press on, prices rise and fall, and for some, it’s either going to be a very good, or very bad day.

So as part of November’s coverage into digital currencies, whilst also being a chance to reminisce on another busy year for the industry, we’re here to take a look at the top 10 biggest cryptocurrencies of this year.

These figures are accurate at the time of writing, and take into account market cap, value rise, and use cases.

1. Bitcoin (BTC) – As the original form of cryptocurrency, it’ll probably come as no surprise that Bitcoin has retained its number one position in the market this year. Bitcoin’s record-breaking has constantly made headlines, it’s become a trending form of credible digital ledger, whilst the U.S. bitcoin-linked ETF proshares bitcoin strategy stimulated worldwide interest to push the coin’s peak to exceed $68,000 per coin in early November; making Bitcoin a must-have form of cryptocurrency.
2. Ethereum (ETH) – Sitting on the most-utilised blockchain, Ethereum has spent the better half of this year eating its way into Bitcoin’s leading market position. Entering 2021 with only 10.8% of the market cap, Ethereum will be ringing in the new year with a 19% share under its wing. The coin’s success this year can be closely attributed to its DeFi functionality and the growing popularity of decentralised apps, and only just recently, Ethereum’s price per coin topped $4,700 per coin; a 40,000% increase over a 5-year span.
3. Binance Coin (BNB) – This year, the Binance Coin has shifted its identity to become more than just a form of trade on the Binance crypto exchange, to become more heavily utilised in everyday trading and transaction uses. At the time of writing, Binance Coin sustained a market cap in the region of $88 billion, with its price strengthening over 530,000% to peak at $530 per coin.
4. Tether (USDT) – Evolving into one of the most popular stable coins on the market, investors are embracing Tether against the volatility of other crypto coins. Backed by fiat currencies, Tether celebrated a market high over just over $1 back in April, whilst retaining a market cap of $70 billion.
5. Solana (SOL) – Entering the market during the turbulence of 2020 at the humble price of $0.77, Solana’s capabilities at powering DeFi and decentralised apps quickly and securely has sent its market price sky high, topping $201 this year in a price increase of 26,000%. Meanwhile, Solana retains a market cap of over $60 billion.
6. Cardano (ADA) – The coin’s adoption of proof-of-stake validation has made it a popular form of cryptocurrency for its fast transaction times and sustainable nature. Whilst its $2.01 price is modest when compared to its neighbouring crypto cousins, Cardano’s capabilities at enabling decentralised apps has aided to the retention of its $66 billion market cap.
7. XRP (XRP) – The growth of this coin can be attributed to its ability to facilitate cryptocurrency exchanges, both between other coins and fiat currencies. As the brainchild of Ripple, XRP has become synonymous with reliability, sustainability and transactional efficiency, and its almost 18,000% increase in value has contributed to its $50 billion market cap.
8. Polkadot (DOT) – 2021 has been an excited year for the Polkadot, as the blockchain and its namesake crypto has drawn attention for its ability to interlink different blockchains; allowing them to collaborate together. Polkadot could quite possibly reshape what we currently know and expect from the industry, and it’ll be taking its $43 billion market cap and 1,400% value growth into a promising 2022.
9. USD Coin (USDC) – Fully backed by the US dollar whilst sitting on the Ethereum blockchain, the USD Coin has gained popularity as a preference for storing assets without encountering the typical volatility that’s associated with other forms of cryptocurrency. The coin has brought together the unbanked, and has helped those in need to transfer value internationally. Together with its programmable nature that’s made it a must-have amongst developers, the USD coin has sustained a 2021 market cap of $40.7 billion.
10. Dogecoin (DOGE) – Deriving from a semi-serious joke back in 2013, Dogecoin has rounded off the year as a true competitor in the market. However, its value has scored it last place on our list due to its unpredictable nature and limitless supply. Nevertheless, Dogecoin will be welcoming the New Year with a market price of $0.29 (145,000% from 2017), and a market cap of over $38 billion.