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 April 2026:
- Bitcoin – The world’s oldest and largest crypto
- Ethereum – The leading DeFi and smart contract platform
- Solana – Smart contracts platform with high speeds and low fees
- Hyperliquid – Decentralized perpetuals exchange with an efficient order book
- Zcash – Privacy-focused cryptocurrency
- Bittensor – Decentralized platform for machine intelligence
- XRP – The leading crypto remittance solution
- Toncoin – An efficient blockchain with Telegram messenger integrations
- Monero – A privacy-first cryptocurrency with fully obfuscated transactions
- Uniswap – A pioneering decentralized exchange protocol
- BNB – The native coin of the Binance exchange
- Chainlink – The leading decentralized oracle protocol
The best cryptos to buy right now: Discover top investments for April 2026
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 is trading at $75,138 after setting a new 10-week high above $77,000, supported by renewed ETF inflows and easing geopolitical tensions. Spot Bitcoin ETFs attracted nearly $1 billion in net inflows last week, marking their strongest performance in over three months and pushing total ETF assets above $101 billion. The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and cooling oil volatility helped restore broader risk appetite, allowing BTC to reclaim key resistance levels while traditional safe-haven demand moderated. This shift suggests that capital is rotating back into risk assets as macro uncertainty stabilizes.
From a technical perspective, Bitcoin has reclaimed critical levels, with $72,800 now viewed as a pivotal weekly support zone. Traders are watching whether BTC can sustain momentum toward the $85,000–$88,000 range in the coming weeks, particularly as the S&P 500 posts record closes and volatility indices trend lower. While some analysts warn that declining trading volume into recent highs could signal short-term consolidation, the broader structure shows higher lows forming and liquidity rebuilding above prior resistance.
Institutional accumulation continues to define the longer-term narrative. Michael Saylor once again hinted at a new purchase after Strategy recently acquired nearly $1 billion worth of BTC, bringing total holdings to over 780,000 coins. Despite reporting significant unrealized losses earlier this year, Strategy remains one of the most aggressive corporate buyers, accumulating at a pace that rivals newly mined supply. With ETF demand strengthening and corporate balance sheets expanding exposure, Bitcoin’s current structure reflects steady capital inflows even as macro conditions remain fluid.
2. 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?
Ethereum is trading at $2,309.51 after staging a strong recovery from its $1,750 swing low, with both technical structure and onchain data supporting the move. Accumulation wallets have increased their holdings by 6.5 million ETH since the beginning of the year, representing a 33% rise and pushing total balances above 26 million ETH. At the same time, daily active addresses surged nearly 89% in early April, signaling a meaningful uptick in network engagement as price reclaimed the $2,300 region. Historically, similar spikes in activity and accumulation have appeared near macro bottoms, often preceding sustained upside phases.
Liquidity conditions are also tightening. The total staked ETH supply has climbed to 39.2 million, reducing the liquid float while exchange balances sit near multi-year lows. From a technical perspective, ETH has broken out of a cup-and-handle formation on the 12-hour chart, with the $2,400 neckline acting as the key confirmation level. A sustained move above this zone could open the path toward the $2,960–$3,150 range, aligning with the measured move of the broader pattern and reinforcing the case for a medium-term trend shift.
Institutional access is expanding in parallel. Charles Schwab announced it will roll out spot Bitcoin and Ether trading for retail clients, integrating crypto directly into its brokerage ecosystem with custody handled by its banking arm. With major financial firms broadening crypto access and onchain accumulation strengthening, Ethereum’s rebound reflects more than short-term momentum — it highlights growing structural demand and tightening supply dynamics that could support further upside if key resistance levels are sustained.
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?
Solana is trading at $85.47 as price compresses between a downside liquidity pocket below $85 and a strong resistance ceiling near $93. Liquidation heatmaps show concentrated clusters both above $90 and under $85, creating a tight technical range where the next move could unfold quickly. While SOL has recovered from earlier April lows, repeated rejection near the low-$90 zone signals that bulls still need a clean breakout to confirm continuation. Until then, the $85 region acts as a near-term magnet if broader risk sentiment weakens.
Derivatives data shows growing engagement. Solana futures open interest jumped 20% this week to $4.2 billion, reflecting renewed participation as price pushed toward a three-week high. However, funding rates remain relatively muted, suggesting bullish conviction has not yet reached overheated levels. This balanced positioning leaves room for expansion if momentum builds, particularly if geopolitical tensions continue easing and risk appetite remains stable.
Fundamentally, Solana continues to maintain strong ecosystem positioning despite recent revenue declines across the broader DeFi sector. The network remains a leader in decentralized exchange volume and ranks near the top in total value locked. A renewed surge in memecoin activity has also boosted short-term demand for SOL, echoing patterns seen during prior speculative waves. If buyers successfully clear the $93 resistance zone, traders are increasingly eyeing the psychological $100 level as the next upside target.
4. Hyperliquid
Hyperliquid is a decentralized perpetual futures exchange built to rival centralized trading platforms in speed, liquidity, and user experience—all while remaining fully on-chain. Unlike traditional DEXs that often struggle with performance bottlenecks, Hyperliquid uses a custom high-performance layer-1 blockchain specifically optimized for trading. This allows it to offer ultra-low latency, high throughput, and a seamless trading experience without relying on external validators or rollups.
One of Hyperliquid’s key innovations is its order book-based model, which is uncommon among decentralized platforms. While many DEXs use automated market makers (AMMs), Hyperliquid implements a central limit order book (CLOB), giving traders more control over order execution and tighter spreads. This design makes it particularly appealing to professional and high-frequency traders who expect the responsiveness of centralized exchanges but want the trustlessness of DeFi. Its deep liquidity pools and tight integration with crypto-native assets further enhance its trading dynamics.
Why Hyperliquid?
Hyperliquid is trading at $41.52, holding near a key resistance zone as momentum builds around both institutional interest and strong derivatives activity. A major catalyst is Bitwise’s second amended filing for a spot Hyperliquid ETF, which now includes the ticker $BHYP and a 0.67% management fee—steps that typically signal an imminent launch. If approved, the ETF would provide direct exposure to HYPE’s spot price and may include staking rewards, positioning Hyperliquid alongside major crypto assets gaining institutional investment vehicles. The token has already delivered strong performance, rising significantly over the past year while the platform entered the top 10 crypto derivatives exchanges by volume.
Market structure data shows that the current recovery is being driven primarily by high-conviction investors rather than broad retail participation. Notably, Arthur Hayes accumulated over 26,000 HYPE tokens, bringing his holdings to more than 247,000 tokens. At the same time, large leveraged positions have played a key role in stabilizing price action, with one trader maintaining a multimillion-dollar long position through volatility. Open Interest has climbed to $1.77 billion, reflecting sustained engagement, though price continues to face resistance in the $40–$44 range.
Despite strong whale conviction, Hyperliquid’s next move depends on broader market participation. Analysts note that while leverage remains elevated but stable, a lack of expanding demand could cause price to stall near current levels. Conversely, increased participation beyond large holders could fuel a breakout above resistance. With ETF momentum building and derivatives activity remaining robust, Hyperliquid stands at a pivotal point where institutional adoption and market demand will likely determine the direction of its next major move.
5. Zcash
ZCash (ZEC) is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency that was launched in 2016 by Zooko Wilcox-O’Hearn. It is a fork of Bitcoin, designed to enhance privacy and anonymity for its users. Unlike Bitcoin, where transaction details (such as sender, recipient, and amount) are publicly visible, ZCash allows users to choose between two types of transactions: transparent and shielded.
Transparent transactions work similarly to Bitcoin, where all transaction details are recorded on the blockchain and visible to everyone. However, shielded transactions use a cryptographic technology called zk-SNARKs to allow fully private transactions. In shielded transactions, the details are encrypted, meaning that only the parties involved have access to the information, while the validity of the transaction is still verifiable by the network.
ZCash is particularly valued by those who prioritize financial privacy and security, as it offers optional anonymity in a way that few other cryptocurrencies do.
Why Zcash?
Zcash is trading at $359.86, approaching a critical resistance zone as bullish momentum pushes the price toward the $400 level. The recent rally began after a breakout from a prolonged consolidation phase, with ZEC surging from the $220–$260 accumulation range and reclaiming the $350 level as support. Rising open interest alongside increasing volume confirms that fresh capital is entering the market, reinforcing the strength of the current uptrend. However, momentum indicators such as an overbought RSI and negative funding rates suggest the market is becoming crowded with leveraged long positions, increasing the risk of short-term volatility near resistance.
The broader market backdrop has also supported Zcash’s recent gains. The token surged more than 30% during a relief rally following news of a temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran, outperforming other privacy-focused cryptocurrencies. Technical analysis shows that ZEC is now approaching a descending trendline resistance that previously capped rallies, with the $370 region aligning closely with key Fibonacci retracement levels. A decisive breakout above this area could confirm a bullish continuation pattern and open the door to significantly higher targets.
Despite the bullish structure, derivatives data highlights meaningful downside risks. Liquidation heatmaps reveal that more than $50 million in leveraged long positions sit below the current price, particularly around the $305–$306 zone. This imbalance suggests that if ZEC fails to break above resistance, a sharp pullback could be triggered by cascading liquidations. As a result, Zcash stands at a pivotal technical juncture where a confirmed breakout above $400 could fuel a new expansion phase, while rejection may lead to a rapid corrective move.
6. Bittensor
Bittensor is a decentralized platform that creates a peer-to-peer marketplace for machine intelligence. The network is composed of multiple specialized subnets, each dedicated to specific tasks such as text prompting, transcription, or audio generation. Currently, more than 30 Bittensor subnets are actively operating across various AI domains.
At the core of the network is a unique consensus mechanism known as Yuma Consensus, which enables validators across different subnets to collaboratively determine what the network learns and prioritizes. This approach ensures that intelligence within the ecosystem evolves based on real-world utility and performance.
The computational power required to perform machine learning tasks is supplied by miners, who are incentivized with TAO tokens. Users seeking AI services pay in TAO to access these decentralized resources, creating a self-sustaining economic model that rewards valuable contributions.
By offering a decentralized and cost-efficient network of machine learning algorithms, Bittensor lowers barriers to entry and makes advanced AI capabilities accessible to a broader audience.
Why Bittensor?
Bittensor (TAO) is trading at $316.78, consolidating after an explosive rally of more than 160% over the past month. The token’s rapid ascent has positioned it among the strongest-performing AI-related crypto assets in 2026, supported by growing interest in decentralized artificial intelligence infrastructure. However, technical indicators suggest the rally may be entering a critical phase as TAO tests key resistance levels following its sharp upward move.
Despite the bullish momentum, historical fractal patterns indicate caution. Previous golden cross formations on TAO’s chart have preceded average drawdowns of roughly 40% within five to six weeks, suggesting the potential for a short-term correction if the pattern repeats. At the same time, social activity surrounding Bittensor has surged to its second-highest level in six months, reflecting growing market attention while sentiment remains relatively balanced rather than euphoric.
Fundamentally, the broader Bittensor ecosystem continues to strengthen, with subnet tokens collectively reaching a market value of approximately $1.5 billion as demand for decentralized AI infrastructure accelerates. High-profile endorsements from industry leaders and advancements such as the Covenant-72B large language model have reinforced Bittensor’s long-term narrative, positioning TAO as a key player at the intersection of blockchain and artificial intelligence.
7. 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?
Evernorth’s recent S-4 filing with the SEC outlines one of the most notable institutional developments involving XRP in recent months and sheds light on why the asset may be worth monitoring in the near term.
The firm is planning to go public via a SPAC merger while holding a treasury of approximately 473 million XRP, currently valued at around $685 million. Much of this allocation was not acquired through open-market purchases but through strategic contributions, including roughly 127 million XRP from Ripple and more than 211 million XRP from Arrington Capital.
The size of the position is also striking. Evernorth raised over $1 billion to establish its XRP treasury, even though the present value of its holdings is considerably lower due to XRP’s price drop. Part of its XRP was acquired at an average price of about $2.53, which is significantly higher than the current level near $1.45, leading to a substantial accounting impairment.
What sets Evernorth apart is that it does not view XRP as a static reserve asset. Instead, the company plans to actively utilize its holdings through decentralized finance strategies such as providing liquidity, lending, and generating income via options. It also aims to incorporate Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin into these operations. This strategy creates a more active form of demand for XRP, as it is used in yield-generating activities rather than simply being held for speculation.
With XRP still trading well below its all-time high and Evernorth’s average acquisition price, the situation presents an interesting short-term narrative. Investors are observing a large, publicly traded entity building a significant XRP position, putting it to work for yield, and establishing itself within the broader ecosystem. Alongside the visibility of the upcoming SPAC merger, this could help spark renewed interest and momentum for XRP as institutional participation continues to grow.
8. Toncoin
Launched as the blockchain powering Telegram’s Web3 ambitions, The Open Network (TON) is a decentralized, open-source blockchain designed for fast, low-cost transactions and seamless integration with consumer-facing applications. TON was built to support smart contracts, decentralized applications, and native payments at scale, with a strong focus on usability and high throughput.
TON goes beyond simple value transfers by enabling developers to build Mini Apps, wallets, and payment tools that can be embedded directly into Telegram’s interface. This design allows users to interact with onchain services without leaving a familiar messaging environment, lowering friction compared with traditional dApp ecosystems.
Adoption has increasingly centered on payments and consumer use cases, with TON positioned as a settlement layer for in-app commerce, peer-to-peer transfers, and stablecoin payments across Telegram’s global user base. Recent launches such as TON Pay aim to turn Telegram into a native crypto checkout environment, expanding real-world utility beyond trading and speculation.
Despite its growth, TON continues to face scrutiny around decentralization, governance, and its close association with Telegram. Ongoing development is focused on improving developer tooling, scaling transaction capacity, and expanding compliance-friendly payment infrastructure, as the network pushes toward broader mainstream adoption.
Why Toncoin?
Toncoin (TON) is trading at $1.34, up 1.35% over the past seven days, with a market capitalization of $3.28 billion, standing out as one of the few large-cap assets holding steady during a volatile market week. While Bitcoin and Ethereum sold off sharply, TON remained range-bound, reflecting relatively resilient sentiment tied to ecosystem-specific developments rather than broader macro flows. Price action suggests quiet accumulation, with limited downside follow-through despite market-wide risk aversion.
That stability comes as the TON Foundation unveiled TON Pay, a new payments SDK designed to turn Telegram into a native crypto checkout layer for Toncoin and stablecoins. The tool allows Telegram Mini Apps to accept onchain payments through a single integration, with sub-second settlement times and average fees below one cent, targeting Telegram’s 1.1 billion monthly active users. TON Foundation vice president of payments Nikola Plecas said the goal is to remove friction around wallets, gas fees, and checkout, positioning TON as a consumer payments rail embedded directly into one of the world’s largest messaging platforms.
Looking ahead, TON’s narrative is increasingly tied to real-world usage rather than speculative trading. Planned expansions to subscriptions, gasless transactions, and regional fiat off-ramps could broaden merchant adoption, while Telegram’s scale offers a distribution advantage few blockchains can match. From a technical standpoint, TON is holding support near $1.25, with resistance around the $1.45 to $1.50 zone. As long as the Telegram payments rollout progresses, TON appears positioned for gradual accumulation rather than momentum-driven moves in the near term.
9. Monero
Monero is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency designed to offer anonymous and untraceable transactions. Launched in 2014 as a fork of Bytecoin, Monero was introduced through a whitepaper written by the pseudonymous “Nicolas van Saberhagen.” Unlike Bitcoin or Ethereum, Monero conceals sender and receiver identities, as well as transaction amounts, through advanced cryptographic techniques such as stealth addresses and ring signatures. This strong focus on privacy has made Monero a favorite among users seeking true financial confidentiality.
Monero runs on a Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus mechanism and is deliberately resistant to ASIC mining to support decentralization. It can be mined efficiently using consumer-grade hardware, and its privacy-preserving features also improve fungibility—individual XMR coins are indistinguishable from one another and can’t be blacklisted. Despite its strong standing within the crypto community, Monero has been the subject of regulatory scrutiny due to concerns over its potential use in illicit activities. Nonetheless, it remains the most widely adopted privacy coin in the market today.
Why Monero?
Monero surged to its highest level since 2021 this week, reclaiming the spotlight among privacy-focused cryptocurrencies as XMR briefly pushed past $590 and entered fresh price discovery. The rally coincided with renewed interest in privacy assets and a sharp contrast with governance turmoil at rival Zcash, where internal disputes triggered developer resignations and a steep sell-off. With ZEC faltering, traders appeared to rotate toward Monero as the more stable and decentralized privacy exposure, lifting XMR back toward levels not seen in nearly five years.
Beyond relative strength against peers, Monero’s move also reflects a broader shift in sentiment around financial privacy. Institutional commentary from firms such as Grayscale and Coinbase has increasingly highlighted privacy as a structural theme for 2026, driven by tighter compliance rules, onchain transparency concerns, and growing demand for confidential transactions. While Monero faced scrutiny in 2025 following a large block reorganization and ongoing debates around mining concentration, those concerns have faded from price action as the network continued to operate without lasting disruption. As Zcash’s roadmap faces uncertainty, Monero has regained its position as the largest privacy coin by market capitalization.
From a technical perspective, XMR is now testing a historically critical zone. Previous attempts to break above the $500–$520 range have failed multiple times over the past decade, often followed by sharp corrections once momentum stalled. That history suggests near-term volatility remains likely unless Monero can decisively hold above former resistance. A confirmed breakout would invalidate the bearish fractal and open the door to higher targets around $750, based on long-term Fibonacci extensions. While pullbacks cannot be ruled out after such a steep rally, Monero’s reclaiming of its privacy crown and entry into price discovery place it among the more closely watched large-cap setups heading into 2026.
10. Uniswap
Uniswap is a decentralized cryptocurrency exchange that pioneered and helped popularize the automated market maker (AMM) model. This innovative approach eliminates the need for traditional order books, enabling users to swap tokens directly on the blockchain in a streamlined, intermediary-free manner.
The Uniswap protocol operates in a fully decentralized way, allowing anyone to create liquidity pools for any token. As a result, newly launched crypto assets are often traded on Uniswap before becoming available on centralized exchanges.
Uniswap’s model has since been adopted by numerous decentralized exchanges across various blockchain networks. Despite this, Uniswap continues to lead the decentralized exchange space in terms of trading volume.
Governance of Uniswap is handled by holders of the UNI token, who can propose and vote on protocol changes. UNI was initially distributed to past users of the protocol through an airdrop in 2020, and the token can now be bought and sold on many decentralized and centralized trading platforms.
Why Uniswap?
UNI has recently outperformed the broader market, rising 16.5% over the past seven days while many other leading crypto assets moved sideways. This rally appears to be fundamentally driven, as
Uniswap founder Hayden Adams has advanced the long-anticipated UNIfication proposal to a final on-chain governance vote, a move that could significantly reshape how value accrues to UNI holders.
Just submitted the Unification proposal for final governance vote
— Hayden Adams 🦄 (@haydenzadams) December 18, 2025
Voting starts on 12/19 at 10.30pm EST and ends on 12/25
If it passes, after a 2 day timelock period:
🔥 100m UNI will be burned
🦄 v2 + v3 fee switches will flip on mainnet and begin burning UNI, along with…
The proposal seeks to enable protocol fees on Uniswap v2 and selected v3 pools on Ethereum, directing a portion of trading fees into an automated UNI burn mechanism. After years of delays due to regulatory uncertainty, proponents argue that the environment has changed, allowing the protocol to finally implement a fee structure that directly links token value to usage.
A key component of the plan is a one-time burn of 100 million UNI from the treasury, intended to account for the value that might have accrued if protocol fees had been active since the beginning. Going forward, fees would be rolled out gradually to limit disruption for liquidity providers, with governance maintaining flexibility to adjust parameters as needed.
The proposal also broadens value capture beyond Ethereum mainnet by funneling Unichain sequencer fees into the same burn process, tying UNI supply reduction to activity on Uniswap’s Layer 2 network, which already handles significant trading volume.
Beyond token economics, UNIfication aims to unify governance, development, and operations under a single structure. Uniswap Labs would eliminate interface, wallet, and API fees, operate using governance-approved funding, and enter legally binding agreements to align its actions with the interests of UNI holders.
If the proposal passes, UNI would evolve from a purely governance-focused token into one with direct, usage-based value accrual, bringing renewed attention to the asset as the vote progresses.
11. BNB
BNB (formerly Binance Coin) is a cryptocurrency created by the popular cryptocurrency exchange Binance. Binance is the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world, allowing users to buy, sell, and trade a wide range of digital assets.
BNB was initially one of the ERC-20 tokens on the Ethereum blockchain but has since migrated to its own blockchain, known as BNB Chain. BNB is used as a utility token within the Binance ecosystem and has a variety of use cases. For example, users can use BNB to pay for transaction fees on the Binance exchange, receive discounts on trading fees, participate in token sales on Binance Launchpad, and purchase goods and services from merchants that accept BNB as payment.
One of the unique features of BNB is that it has a deflationary model. Binance uses a part of its profits each quarter to buy back and burn BNB tokens, reducing the total supply of the token over time. This mechanism is designed to create scarcity and increase the value of BNB over time, with the end goal of reducing the circulating supply of BNB from the initial 200 million to 100 million BNB.
Why BNB?
BNB reclaimed $900 this week after bouncing sharply from the $800–$820 demand zone, with multiple bullish technical structures now aligning behind a potential push back toward $1,000 in December. A double-bottom pattern on the 4H chart, combined with a clean breakout from a multi-week falling wedge, signals fading seller momentum and renewed appetite from dip-buyers. Liquidation heatmaps reveal over $112 million in short liquidations clustered near $1,020, suggesting a move toward that level could accelerate quickly if BNB breaks and holds above $900–$920.
However, BNB’s narrative this week also revolved around turbulence in the corporate treasury sector. CZ’s YZi Labs launched a formal attempt to overhaul the board of CEA Industries — the largest public BNB-holding company — accusing management of destroying shareholder value after the stock plunged 89% from its July peak. YZi aims to reverse recent bylaw changes, expand the board, and install its own nominees, arguing that CEA has failed to execute on its strategy of becoming the leading BNB treasury company. CEA responded by reaffirming its commitment to the BNB strategy while opening a dialogue with YZi to resolve concerns.
CEA stock collapses as YZi Labs pushes for a board takeover. Source: Google FinanceDespite governance drama and broader market pressure, BNB has held up better than many large-cap assets this quarter, outperforming even as it trades well below its mid-October all-time high of $1,367. CEA’s reported holdings of 515,054 BNB at an average entry of $851 place its treasury slightly underwater, yet BNB itself remains up 17.8% year-to-date, reinforcing its relative strength during the latest downturn. If bullish technicals continue to hold — and especially if liquidation clusters begin to trigger — analysts say BNB could feasibly revisit the $1,020–$1,115 range before year-end.
12. Chainlink
Chainlink is a decentralized oracle network designed to provide blockchains with secure, reliable data from external sources. It addresses the long-standing “oracle problem” by safely connecting on-chain systems with off-chain information, enabling many applications that wouldn’t be possible using blockchain data alone.
Already the dominant oracle provider in decentralized finance (DeFi), Chainlink is also gaining traction in NFT projects and crypto gaming. For example, a DeFi protocol can pull price feeds from centralized exchanges through Chainlink to power its smart contracts, while NFT platforms often rely on Chainlink’s verifiable randomness to ensure fair minting processes and transparent distribution.
Why Chainlink?
Chainlink rallied 15% this week to $14.10, boosted by a major interoperability milestone: Solana and Coinbase’s Base have been connected using Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP). The new bridge allows seamless asset transfers between Solana and the Base L2 ecosystem, giving developers the ability to integrate SPL tokens directly into Base applications. This marks one of the first production-ready bridges linking an EVM chain to Solana’s non-EVM architecture, reinforcing Chainlink’s role as the industry’s dominant cross-chain infrastructure provider. Despite the breakthrough, LINK traded slightly lower on the day, mirroring broader altcoin weakness.
Chainlink also secured a significant step in institutional adoption as Grayscale’s spot LINK ETF debuted in the U.S., attracting $41 million in first-day inflows and posting “solid” trading volume, according to ETF analysts. While not a blockbuster launch like XRP’s, the ETF already manages $64 million in assets, showing that investor appetite is extending beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum into high-utility altcoins. Analysts noted the debut signals growing demand for regulated exposure to “long-tail assets,” especially those underpinning real-world tokenization infrastructure — a trend that plays directly into Chainlink’s strengths.
Still, the LINK token remains down 73% from its all-time high, and the ETF launch alone has not reversed its long-term downtrend. But Chainlink’s strategic importance continues to grow: its oracle networks and CCIP are now core infrastructure for DeFi, tokenization protocols, and cross-chain applications across the industry. With Solana, Base, and multiple ETF providers integrating or backing the network, LINK’s recent strength suggests investors are beginning to reprice Chainlink as a foundational layer for the next phase of multi-chain development.
Best cryptocurrencies to buy at a glance
| Native Asset | Launched In | Description | Market Cap* | |
| Bitcoin | BTC | 2009 | A P2P open-source digital currency | $1.51 tln |
| Ethereum | ETH | 2012 | The leading DeFi and smart contract platform | $279 bln |
| Solana | SOL | 2020 | Smart contracts platform with high speeds and low fees | $49.2 bln |
| Hyperliquid | HYPE | 2024 | Decentralized perpetuals exchange with an efficient order book | $10.6 bln |
| Zcash | ZEC | 2016 | Privacy-focused cryptocurrency | $5.16 bln |
| Bittensor | TAO | 2023 | Decentralized platform for machine intelligence | $2.65 bln |
| XRP | XRP | 2015 | The leading crypto remittance solution | $88.1 bln |
| Toncoin | TON | 2021 | An efficient blockchain with Telegram messenger integrations | $3.27 bln |
| Monero | XMR | 2014 | A privacy-first cryptocurrency with fully obfuscated transactions | $6.52 bln |
| Uniswap | UNI | 2020 | A pioneering decentralized exchange protocol | $2.08 bln |
| BNB | BNB | 2017 | The native coin of the Binance exchange | $84.6 bln |
| Chainlink | LINK | 2017 | The leading decentralized oracle protocol | $6.74 bln |
Best crypto to buy for beginners
If you are just starting out in crypto, it is advisable to stick to cryptocurrency projects that are less prone to volatility and are generally more established. While this approach does have a downside, as it becomes much more difficult to expect triple-digit or larger gains, the major upside is that you are not exposed to projects that have a chance of failing and, thus, losing your entire investment.
In order to identify projects that are stable and thus feature low volatility, you can start by following the parameters listed below:
- The crypto asset has a market capitalization that places it into the cryptocurrency top 100 (roughly $500 million as of spring of 2026)
- The crypto asset is available for trading on the best crypto exchange platforms and can be exchanged for fiat currencies
- The crypto asset boasts healthy liquidity ($100M/day and more), which allows you to execute buy and sell orders quickly and without slippage
- The crypto asset is part of a reputable crypto project with clear goals, a realistic roadmap, and products and services that look to address real-world problems
Some of the best cryptos to buy for beginners are those that follow the above criteria and have earned their standing in the crypto market due to robust security, popular products and services, and clear growth potential. Some beginner-friendly crypto investments are:
- Bitcoin
- Ethereum
- Litecoin
- Cardano
- BNB
It is worth noting that cryptocurrency investments are inherently risky, even if you stick to the biggest and most reputable projects. The reason for this is simple – the crypto sector is relatively new, and the landscape might look completely different in the future.
Best crypto for long-term
When deciding which cryptocurrency to buy for the long term, it’s important to consider projects that are well-established, have a strong community, are highly liquid, have a large market cap, and have a clear reason for existing (such as solving a real-life problem, introducing new functionality, etc.). Without these characteristics, a project might fail to survive in the long term, rendering it a bad long-term investment.
It is worth noting that, typically, most long-term crypto investors are looking for projects that have the potential to generate decent returns but also provide a degree of investment stability. Roughly speaking, only the largest cryptocurrencies fit the bill, as others have a low market cap and liquidity that doesn’t bode well for a long-term commitment (unless you’re prepared to take on more risk).
In addition to Bitcoin and Ethereum, there are a number of other cryptocurrencies that fit the criteria of being low-risk, long-term crypto investments.
If you are planning to hold onto your digital assets for a longer period of time, it is best to take care of crypto custody yourself. Holding large amounts of crypto on an exchange can be risky, as we’ve seen over the years with the collapse of high-profile exchanges like Mt. Gox and FTX. Use one of the reputable crypto hardware wallets to store your crypto. Ledger hardware wallets, for instance, allow you to manage your crypto holdings easily and provide a much higher degree of security than crypto exchanges or even software crypto wallets.
Best place to buy crypto
One crucial aspect to consider when choosing which platform to use to buy crypto is the range of cryptocurrencies and trading pairs available. Since different exchanges support varying digital assets, it’s important to choose a platform that accommodates the specific cryptocurrencies you intend to trade.
Additionally, assessing an exchange’s liquidity and trading volume is essential. Higher liquidity generally results in improved price stability and faster trade executions. Furthermore, it is prudent to examine the fees charged by the exchange, encompassing deposit, withdrawal, and trading fees. Comparing fee structures across different exchanges can help you identify the most cost-effective option that aligns with your trading style. With that said, here are some of the best exchanges on the market right now:
- Binance – The best cryptocurrency exchange overall
- KuCoin – The best exchange for altcoin trading
- Kraken – A centralized exchange with the best security
By diligently considering these factors, you can make an informed decision and select a cryptocurrency exchange that meets your requirements for security, variety, liquidity, and affordability.
How we choose the best cryptocurrencies to buy
At CoinCheckup, we provide real-time prices for over 22,000 cryptocurrencies, with the list growing by dozens each day. As you can imagine, making a selection of a dozen top cryptocurrencies to buy out of such an immense dataset can be difficult and will for sure lead to some projects that should be featured being omitted. To minimize the chance of that happening, we follow certain guidelines when trying to identify the best cryptocurrencies to invest in.
Availability
One of the most important factors for any cryptocurrency investment is the crypto asset’s availability, meaning how easy it is to buy and sell it across various cryptocurrency exchanges. We tend to stay away from assets that are not available on major exchanges and require complex procedures to obtain.
Market Capitalization
Another important metric for identifying whether a crypto project is worth covering its market cap. A high market cap means that the project has reached a certain level of adoption from users, making it less risky to invest in.
Growth Potential
While this metric is mostly subjective, it is still an important metric on which we curate our selection. We won’t feature projects that we think are stagnating or have no real upside in the future.
Purpose and Use Case
We consider the purpose and use case of cryptocurrency, particularly in a real-world setting. Some cryptocurrencies focus on specific industries or applications, such as decentralized finance, gaming, or supply chain management.
Team and Development
The team and people involved in the project can tell you a lot about the potential of a particular cryptocurrency project. We examine the team’s experience, expertise, and track record and evaluate the development activity and updates to ensure the project is actively maintained and evolving.
The bottom line: What crypto should you buy right now?
The decision of which crypto to buy now is dependent on your own risk profile and investment goals. For some, investing in a crypto asset with a proven track record like Bitcoin is the only type of exposure to crypto they are willing to take on.
Meanwhile, those with a higher risk tolerance might see Bitcoin as too stable, looking instead toward newer and smaller projects that carry a higher degree of upside.
If you are looking for more investment ideas, check out our crypto price predictions section.
