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If you’ve just gotten started on your crypto journey, you’re probably tempted to limit yourself to Bitcoin, the most valuable cryptocurrency. While Bitcoin is a high-reward investment with low barriers to entry because of its widespread availability, it is also a high-risk one. Given the crypto market’s constant bouts of extreme volatility, it’s always a good idea to diversify your portfolio rather than putting all of your eggs in one basket.
This is where altcoins come in. The term altcoin refers to any cryptocurrency that is not Bitcoin. Their name derives from the fact that they are “alternative” coins to Bitcoin. No doubt, Bitcoin is the market leader and the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, but several altcoins have more use cases and growth potential than Bitcoin.
For example, although the price of Bitcoin increased by 58.02% from $32203.64 on 1 January 2021 to $50888.72 on 25 December 2021, the price of Ethereum, the second-largest crypto by market cap, increased by 423.30% from $774.90 to $4055.12 in the same time period. Solana, whose price was only $1.837 at the beginning of 2021, was valued at $193.127 on 25 December 2021, having grown by a whopping 10413.2%.
Top 8 Altcoins to Invest in India in 2022
BTC dominance, or the ratio of Bitcoin’s market cap to the rest of the cryptocurrency markets, which was well above 70% at the start of the year, had dropped to almost half at 40% by the end of the year 2021. Clearly, for those looking for a diversified portfolio, altcoins are the best solution. Let’s take a look at the best altcoins to invest in 2022.
#1. Ethereum
One of the fastest-growing cryptocurrencies and the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, Ethereum (ETH) dramatically outperformed Bitcoin in 2021, and experts anticipate this trend to continue into 2022. The rise in the value of Ethereum can largely be attributed to the rise of the DeFi (Decentralized Finance) market and the widespread popularity of NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens).
At the time of writing, Ethereum is trading at $3,130.36 per token and has a market cap of more than $370 billion. The arrival of ETH 2.0 in 2022, when Ethereum transforms from a proof-of-work (PoW) to a proof-of-stake (PoS) model, is expected to drive up prices further, taking Ethereum well beyond the $10k mark.
#2. Tether
The third-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, Tether is a stablecoin designed to be pegged to the dollar; hence its value always remains at $1. Because its value is fixed to the US dollar, Tether experiences lesser fluctuations, thereby making it one of the best alternatives to Bitcoin. With Tether being one of the most stable cryptocurrencies, it is certainly an excellent investment option for investors concerned about the extreme volatility of the crypto markets.
#3. Solana
Without a doubt, Solana (SOL) made the biggest gains in 2021, going from a mere $1 at the beginning of the year to as high as $200 by the end, making it one of the best altcoins to invest in 2022. Currently, Solana trades at $136.08 and is the seventh-largest crypto by market capitalization.
The success of Solana can be largely attributed to its unique blockchain technology, where the ‘proof-of-stake’ technology is combined with Solana’s ‘proof-of-history.’ This makes transactions on Solana quicker and cheaper, placing it directly in competition with Ethereum. According to predictions by coinpriceforecast.com, Solana prices are expected to hit $300 by the end of 2022.
#4. Cardano
Cardano (ADA) is currently the fifth-largest cryptocurrency and trades at $1.50. It is also one of the fastest-growing cryptocurrencies. Cardano, valued at only $0.177 at the beginning of the year 2021, grew by 689.26% to $1.397 as of 25 December 2021. Launched in 2017, Cardano is a proof-of-stake blockchain platform, and its cryptocurrency is known as ADA. According to forecasts, Cardano prices are expected to start at $2 at the beginning of 2022 and reach $4 by year-end.
#5. Litecoin
While Litecoin is not a top 10 crypto by market cap, it is still a valuable coin that has attracted significant investor interest. Because its crypto network has proved to execute transactions four times faster than Bitcoin, Litecoin remains an excellent alternative for people looking to transfer large quantities of money. Investors believe that as Litecoin’s adoption grows, so will it’s market capitalization. Litecoin currently trades at $140.59 and has a market cap of $9,763,022,000. According to coinpriceforecast.com, Litecoin is expected to climb to $200 by the end of 2022.
#6. Avalanche
Investors who bought Avalanche (AVAX) at the start of 2021 were certainly in for massive luck. AVAX, which was worth $3.207 at the beginning of the year, was worth $103.60 per token in December 2021, marking a 3130.43% increase. Having given investors 34x returns over the year, experts anticipate Avalanche to further go up in 2022, with prices going beyond the $200 mark. If you’re looking for the next big cryptocurrency to explode in 2022, go for Avalanche, a relatively unknown cryptocurrency at the beginning of 2021 which has now grown into one of the fastest-growing cryptocurrencies, with a market capitalization of over $20 billion. The current price of AVAX is around $84.98.
#7. Ripple
Are you looking for a relatively low-risk investment with the potential for greater rewards? Ripple (XRP) is the answer. Ripple is a blockchain-based digital payment network and protocol, and XRP is its native cryptocurrency. Presently the 8th largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, Ripple is one of the best altcoins to invest in 2022. At the time of writing, Ripple trades at $0.7444, having grown by more than 270% from $0.221 at the beginning of the year 2021. According to experts, Ripple prices are expected to be between $3 and $5 in 2022.
#8. Polkadot
The 10th largest crypto by market capitalization, an open-source blockchain platform and cryptocurrency that allows for distributed computing, and DOT is its native token. Polkadot is currently valued at $24.78 and has a market cap of more than 24 billion dollars. One of the key reasons Polkadot is deemed a worthwhile investment is because it can facilitate cross-blockchain transfers of any type of data or asset. In addition, scalability and speedier transactions further add to Polkadot’s functionality. DOT prices are expected to climb above the $50 mark by the end of 2022.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who Invented Cryptocurrency?
Satoshi Nakamoto invented cryptocurrencies and the technology that makes them function in 2009. The presumed pseudonymous individual or persons who invented Bitcoin used this identity. In addition, Nakamoto created the first blockchain database. Even though many people have claimed to be Satoshi Nakamoto, the person's identity remains unknown.
Is Pi Cryptocurrency Safe?
Pi Network captured the crypto community’s interest even before it officially debuted. Its innovative mobile mining approach and user-friendly design simplify crypto adoption for a broader audience. Some users see this as a chance to get engaged in the crypto from the beginning and profit in the future, similar to how early Bitcoin adopters made huge profits by mining and keeping the coin. Other users have compared Pi to a worthless multi-level marketing (MLM) scheme.
What Is The Meaning Of Crypto?
A cryptocurrency is a digital currency that is secured by the process of cryptography, making counterfeiting and double-spending almost impossible to happen. Blockchain technology is used to produce cryptocurrencies ( a distributed ledger enforced by a distributed network of computers). Cryptocurrencies are distinct in that a centralized authority does not issue them.
How To Invest In Cryptocurrency Stocks?
Cryptocurrency can be purchased in two ways: through mining or exchanges. The process of confirming and adding transactions to the blockchain public ledger is known as cryptocurrency mining. Cryptocurrency exchanges are another option. Exchanges make money by charging transaction fees, but there are alternative platforms where you may communicate directly with other cryptocurrency traders.
How Cryptocurrency Works?
Cryptocurrencies use cryptography technology to keep transactions and their units (tokens) secure. Cryptocurrency works via a technology called the blockchain. A blockchain is a decentralized technology that handles and records transactions across numerous computers. The security of this technology is part of its value.
How To Invest In Cryptocurrency In India?
There are two ways of investing in cryptocurrency, mining and via exchanges. Cryptocurrency mining is the process of verifying and adding transactions between users to the blockchain public ledger. Purchasing cryptocurrency in India is a straightforward procedure where investors simply participate by registering with a crypto exchange such as WazirX. After registering for an account, citizens can trade multiple cryptocurrencies, store cryptocurrency in wallets, and more.
What Are The Best Cryptocurrencies To Invest In?
The best cryptocurrencies to invest in would be the ones you study and analyze in detail. Some of the most popular cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin, Ethereum, and many altcoins such as Tron, Ripple, Litecoin, etc.
What Is Virtual Currency?
Virtual currency is a type of uncontrolled digital currency that can only be used online. It is exclusively stored and transacted using designated software, mobile or computer applications, or unique digital wallets, and all transactions are conducted through secure, dedicated networks. Because digital currency is just currency issued by a bank in digital form, virtual currency is not the same as a digital currency. Virtual currency, unlike ordinary money, is based on a trust structure and cannot be issued by a central bank or other banking regulatory organization.
Is Cryptocurrency Banned In India?
No, cryptocurrency is not banned in India. India has seen its ups and downs in the crypto sector concerning its legal status. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued a circular in April 2018 advising all organizations under its jurisdiction not to trade in virtual currencies or provide services to assist anyone in dealing with or settling them. A government committee proposed outlawing all private cryptocurrencies in mid-2019, with up to ten years in prison and severe penalties for anyone dealing in digital currency. The Supreme Court overruled the RBI's circular in March 2020, allowing banks to undertake cryptocurrency transactions from dealers and exchanges.
What Is The Safest Cryptocurrency To Invest In?
Bitcoin has had the highest market capitalization, has been around the longest, has the most experienced development team, and has enormous network impact and brand recognition. As a result, while trading cryptocurrencies, the rate of return on Bitcoin is commonly used as a benchmark. However, the risks associated with cryptocurrencies remain, and the safest cryptocurrency for you depends on your analysis.
Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency is not a legal tender and is currently unregulated. Kindly ensure that you undertake sufficient risk assessment when trading cryptocurrencies as they are often subject to high price volatility. The information provided in this section doesn't represent any investment advice or WazirX's official position. WazirX reserves the right in its sole discretion to amend or change this blog post at any time and for any reasons without prior notice.
