This story appears in the July 27, 2017 issue of Forbes. Subscribe
Thee are the top 25 of the 900+ cryptocurrencies and crypto-assets ranked by market cap. Many are worth even more if you include the total supply of coins they have authorized.
Coin/Token
Market cap (current price times circulating supply, in millions)*
Year-to-Date Returns
Description
Bitcoin
$40,520
260%
Since only 21 million will ever be produced, the original cryptocurrency is the best store of value but still very volatile.
Ethereum
$26,720
3,825%
A blockchain for “smart contracts” (programs that will execute contractual terms automatically), Ethereum launched the token craze.
Ripple
$9,980
4,210%
Its XRP coin has soared. Wants to disrupt the slow, opaque and pricey world of international wire transfers. It already has 75 banking and payments partners.
Litecoin
$2,080
980%
Litecoin has long marketed itself as digital silver to Bitcoin’s gold, in part because it’s less energy-intensive, with faster block times.
Ethereum Classic
$1,720
1,395%
This coin is from the original Ethereum blockchain, which was upgraded after a $50 million hack.
NEM
$1,430
4,320%
A cryptocurrency that is popular in Japan, where banks are testing an enterprise version. Many Western crypto enthusiasts have little idea what it is.
Dash
$1,330
1,690%
Originally called darkcoin, with an emphasis on privacy, Dash touts itself as digital cash, but its average transaction size is more than $10,000.
IOTA
$1,120
-35%
Bitcoin and Ethereum may be too expensive and slow for Internet of Things micropayments. IOTA could someday be in demand by Fitbits everywhere.
Monero
$640
340%
Privacy coin that aims...
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