5 Best Crypto Coins to Invest In Now: The Ultimate Guide for Smart Crypto Investors

With so many new cryptos in the market, identifying the ones with strong potential can be a challenge.

But right now, a few are standing out due to major upgrades, rising institutional interest, and shifting market trends.

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Our top picks are Ripple (XRP), Ethereum (ETH), Cardano (ADA), Solana (SOL), and Stellar (XLM).

A Hybrid Layer-2 Solution That Could Make Bitcoin More Practical

Another project you might want to keep an eye on is PlutoChain ($PLUTO). Designed to potentially improve Bitcoin’s scalability, it could solve issues that have long made BTC impractical for everyday use.

Let’s take a closer look at these projects.

PlutoChain ($PLUTO): The Hybrid Layer-2 Solution That Could Finally Make Bitcoin Fast, Affordable, and Usable for Everyday Transactions

Bitcoin is an incredible innovation, but when it comes to everyday spending, it has its limits. Slow transaction speeds and high fees make it impractical for small purchases and everyday transactions.

Waiting 10 minutes for a simple payment isn’t convenient, and small transactions can become too expensive due to network costs. PlutoChain ($PLUTO) might fix this by introducing a hybrid Layer-2 solution that could work alongside Bitcoin while operating on its own high-speed blockchain.

With two-second block times, PlutoChain could enable near-instant BTC transactions and eliminate long wait times for confirmations.

Lower fees are another major benefit. Traditional Bitcoin transactions can get pricey, especially for micro-payments. PlutoChain’s approach could drastically reduce costs and make Bitcoin a more viable option for everyday purchases.

PlutoChain also may expand what Bitcoin can do. With EVM compatibility, it could open the door to DeFi, NFTs, and AI-driven blockchain applications and bring new possibilities to an ecosystem originally built for peer-to-peer payments.

PlutoChain’s testnet has already processed over 43,200 transactions in a single day, which proves its scalability.

This project puts a strong emphasis on security, so it passed audits by SolidProof, QuillAudits, and Assure DeFi to ensure a strong foundation. Plus, decentralized governance means the community plays a role in shaping its future.

By making Bitcoin faster, cheaper, and more versatile, PlutoChain could finally make BTC a practical currency for daily life.

Ripple (XRP): The Cost-Effective Crypto for Cross-Border Payments and Institutional Adoption

Just a few days ago, the SEC acknowledged an application from the New York Stock Exchange and Grayscale to convert the Grayscale XRP Trust into a fully tradable ETF.

While this doesn’t mean approval just yet, it kicks off the review process, with a final decision expected by October 2025. If approved, it could give institutional investors a regulated way to invest in XRP.

Meanwhile, financial institutions are also embracing XRP. Frankenmuth Credit Union recently added it to its cryptocurrency offerings to allow members to buy, sell, and hold XRP directly through online banking. Armando Pantoja says XRP could reach between $8 and $25 by 2025-2026.

Ethereum (ETH): The Smart Contract Platform for DeFi, NFTs, and Web3

Ethereum has had some exciting developments recently. Just a few days ago, Brevan Howard Digital, the crypto arm of a major investment firm, invested $20 million into Kinto, a financial network built on Ethereum.

Meanwhile, Ethereum transaction fees have dropped by 70% over the past week, from $23 million to $7.5 million daily. This comes ahead of two major network upgrades, Pectra and Fusaka, set to launch in April 2025.

Crypto analyst Ted expects Ethereum to see a short-term pump and predicts it could hit $3.1K–$3.3K next week as traders move away from meme coins and back to utility-focused assets.

Cardano (ADA): The Scalable and Sustainable Blockchain

As a proof-of-stake blockchain, Cardano is built for sustainability and scalability. Unlike traditional blockchains that consume massive amounts of energy, it offers an eco-friendly alternative while still providing a secure and efficient foundation for smart contracts and dApps.

As of today, ADA is trading at around $0.78, up 1.3% in the last 24 hours. The price has ranged between $0.77 and $0.82 throughout the day. Trading volume remains strong at approximately $904 million.

Solberg Invest believes ADA is gaining bullish momentum and highlights key price targets of $1.67, $1.89, and $2.49.

Solana (SOL): The High-Speed Blockchain for Low-Cost Transactions and Mass Adoption

Solana has had a mix of challenges and opportunities in recent days. Network activity has dropped significantly, with active addresses falling from 18.5 million in November to just 8.4 million now. This decline has contributed to a 9% drop in SOL’s price.

One reason for this downturn is the recent volatility in Solana’s meme coin market. The LIBRA token saw a massive pump-and-dump, which triggered broader sell-offs.

On top of that, an upcoming SOL token unlock on March 1 has some traders worried about increased supply impacting prices.

Despite these setbacks, institutional investors remain interested. Solana-based ETFs are gaining traction, with $8.9 million in new investments.

BitBounty believes Solana is nearing a potential reversal and sets $175 as a key level for a long position.

Stellar (XLM): The Fast and Low-Cost Blockchain for Global Payments and Financial Inclusion

Stellar has been focusing on blockchain analytics and financial inclusion. Just last month, the Stellar Development Foundation partnered with Nansen, a leading blockchain analytics platform.

On top of that, Stellar is working with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Europe and Central Asia to promote financial inclusion. This partnership aims to use Stellar’s blockchain technology to create accessible financial services for underserved communities.

Whispra believes XLM is gearing up for a major breakout, with key support at $0.3572 and potential price targets of $0.5859 and $0.8341.

The Verdict

These five coins—Ripple (XRP), Ethereum (ETH), Cardano (ADA), Solana (SOL), and Stellar (XLM)—are all getting attention with major developments, institutional interest, and robust use cases.

While they continue to grow, PlutoChain ($PLUTO) could generate buzz as an upgrade for Bitcoin. This Layer-2 solution could finally make BTC practical for daily use.

This publication is sponsored. CryptoDnes does not endorse and is not responsible for the content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products or other materials on this page. Readers should do their own research before taking any action related to cryptocurrencies. CryptoDnes shall not be liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned.

Alexander Stefanov