Many of today’s leading crypto assets cost a significant amount. Currently, Bitcoin trading above $104,000 and Ethereum is around $2,530. But they both started at less than a dollar and rose dramatically over time.
However, not every low-priced crypto asset holds promise. With countless options in the market, finding one with real potential can be difficult. To help you make smarter choices, we’ve curated a list of crypto assets you can buy for under $1.
List of the 10 Best Cryptos Under $1
These coins are sorted by market capitalisation. Here are the most affordable crypto assets to buy now:
Cardano (ADA)
Cardano (ADA), launched in 2017, set out to drive global change through blockchain innovation. Unlike many other crypto assets of its time, it adopted a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism early on, quickly rising to become one of the most prominent platforms using this model.
What sets Cardano apart is its research-driven approach. Every new feature undergoes rigorous academic scrutiny and peer review before implementation, ensuring a high level of security and operational efficiency.
As of now, ADA has a market capitalisation of $22.53 billion, with each token priced at $0.6375.
Dogecoin (DOGE)
Originally forked from Litecoin in 2013, Dogecoin was created as a fun and approachable crypto asset aimed at reaching a broader audience than Bitcoin. Inspired by the viral “doge” meme, it features a Shiba Inu dog as its logo, giving it a distinctly playful identity.
Dogecoin is considered a meme coin, meaning it holds limited real-world utility. Its popularity stems largely from internet culture and community-driven support. Despite its humorous origins, the coin has built a loyal and enthusiastic following, helping it remain relevant over time.
At the time of writing, DOGE is priced at $0.1746 with a market capitalisation of $26.22 billion.
Polygon (POL)
Polygon (previously MATIC) is a layer-2 scaling solution designed to enhance the Ethereum network. Simply put, it operates alongside Ethereum to reduce issues like high transaction fees and network congestion.
It achieves this by creating multiple sidechains—parallel blockchains that support the main Ethereum chain. Using advanced technologies like optimistic rollups and zkRollups, Polygon bundles transactions before sending them to Ethereum, enabling it to handle over 65,000 transactions per second, far surpassing Ethereum’s average of 15.
At the time of writing, POL has a market capitalisation of $2.09 billion and is priced at $0.2009.
Shiba Inu (SHIB)
Shiba Inu (SHIB), inspired by Dogecoin, is another well-known memecoin that rose to fame due to its playful concept and high-profile endorsements. While Dogecoin playfully mirrors Bitcoin, SHIB positions itself as Ethereum’s counterpart. Public support from figures like Vitalik Buterin and Elon Musk has helped drive its popularity and price surges.
The success of SHIB has sparked a wave of similar meme projects, including Shibalana and Shiba Fantom—variations built on the Solana and Fantom blockchains. Thanks to its massive community and unique branding, Shiba Inu continues to stand out in the crowded crypto space.
As of now, SHIB is trading at $0.00001175 with a market capitalisation of $6.92 billion.
TRON (TRX)
Tron is a decentralised blockchain platform that allows developers to build smart contracts and decentralised applications (dApps). It aims to overcome some of Ethereum’s key limitations, particularly scalability issues and high transaction fees.
The network uses a delegated proof-of-stake (DPoS) mechanism, offering an efficient alternative to the traditional systems used by Bitcoin and Ethereum. This model enables more users to participate in block validation and earn rewards, making the network more inclusive and energy-efficient.
At the time of writing, TRX has a market capitalisation of $25.91 billion and is priced at $0.2732 per token.
Algorand (ALGO)
While many blockchains focus on efficiency and security, Algorand stands out by branding itself as “the greenest blockchain.” Its commitment to sustainability sets it apart in a space often criticised for high energy consumption.
This is made possible through its pure proof-of-stake protocol consensus mechanism. Unlike Bitcoin’s energy-intensive proof-of-work model, PPoS eliminates the need for complex computations. It also promotes fairness by allowing any user with just 1 ALGO token staked to participate in transaction validation.
At the time of writing, ALGO is priced at $0.1764 and has a market capitalisation of $1.52 billion.
Read more: What is Algorand
Cronos (CRO)
Cronos (CRO) is the native crypto asset of Crypto.com, a popular platform offering trading and financial services. Built as an open-source blockchain, Cronos primarily enhances the utility of Crypto.com’s ecosystem for its users.
CRO holders can enjoy various benefits, such as cashback on payments and gift cards. To expand its ecosystem, Crypto.com also introduced Cronos Chain—an Ethereum-compatible blockchain that operates alongside the main network.
At the time of writing, CRO is trading at $0.09140 with a market capitalisation of $2.73 billion.
VeChain (VET)
VeChain sets itself apart from most blockchain platforms by focusing on enterprise solutions rather than just payments. It is especially known for its supply chain management system, which integrates blockchain technology with the Internet of Things to provide real-time, transparent tracking of goods and data.
The platform operates on a dual-token model using VET and VTHO. VET is used to transfer value between users, while VTHO covers the transaction fees, or “gas.” This separation helps maintain predictable and stable costs for users over time.
At the time of writing, VET is priced at $0.02239 with a market capitalisation of $1.92 billion.
Chiliz (CHZ)
Sports teams often create a strong emotional connection with their fans. Chiliz builds on this bond by giving fans a direct voice in how their favourite teams and brands operate. Through its sports-focused platform, Socios, Chiliz enables clubs to generate new revenue while offering fans unique digital assets known as fan tokens.
Each team can issue a limited number of these tokens, which are purchased using CHZ, the platform’s native cryptocurrency. Holding these tokens allows fans to participate in key decisions—ranging from jersey designs to matchday lineups—deepening their involvement with the team.
At the time of writing, CHZ is priced at $0.03596 with a market capitalisation of $347.37 million.
Basic Attention Token (BAT)
In the digital age, attention is one of the most valuable commodities. Basic Attention Token (BAT) leverages this by transforming how users, advertisers, and publishers interact online. Built on the Brave browser, BAT rewards users for viewing privacy-respecting ads while giving advertisers better ROI and ensuring publishers earn fairly for quality content.
BAT creates a more transparent and efficient digital advertising ecosystem. Users receive BAT for their attention, which they can use to support their favourite content creators or spend within the ecosystem—aligning incentives for all parties involved.
At the time of writing, BAT is priced at $0.1245 with a market capitalisation of $186.23 million.
Reasons To Buy Cryptos Under $1
High Risk, High Reward
Cryptos priced under $1 can carry significant risk, much like penny stocks. However, choosing the right one has the potential to multiply your initial investment several times over. It’s a strategy that has worked for many investors—provided the risks are weighed carefully.
Find Undervalued Coins
Some projects with strong fundamentals often go unnoticed due to the presence of bigger players in the crypto space. This is particularly true for certain tokens priced under $1. Reviewing their core offerings and token distribution can help identify whether they’re undervalued opportunities.
Scale of Purchase
Lower-priced cryptos allow you to accumulate a larger number of tokens for the same investment. This can potentially boost future returns, as these assets often have more room for growth compared to higher-priced, well-known tokens.
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Disclaimer:
Crypto products and NFTs are unregulated and can be highly risky. There may be no regulatory recourse for any loss from such transactions. Each investor must do his/her own research or seek independent advice if necessary before initiating any transactions in crypto products and NFTs. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the article belong solely to the author, and not to ZebPay or the author’s employer or other groups or individuals. ZebPay shall not be held liable for any acts or omissions, or losses incurred by the investors. ZebPay has not received any compensation in cash or kind for the above article and the article is provided “as is”, with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results obtained from the use of this information.