1. Bitcoin (BTC): The world’s first and most well-known cryptocurrency, Bitcoin is the most valuable coin on the market today. Created in 2009 by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency designed to enable direct peer-to-peer transactions.
2. Ethereum (ETH): Ethereum is the second biggest cryptocurrency by market cap. It’s a decentralized platform that supports smart contracts and enables developers to build and deploy blockchain-based applications.
3. Litecoin (LTC): Launched in 2011, Litecoin is an open-source global payment network that is both decentralized and secure. It allows for near-instantaneous and low-cost payments with significantly faster block times than Bitcoin.
4. Ripple (XRP): Ripple is a real-time gross settlement system that is designed for digital asset exchanges. It’s the third largest cryptocurrency by market cap and has a unique mechanism for validating transactions on its distributed ledger.
5. Cardano (ADA): Cardano is a blockchain platform built on the scientifically proven Ouroboros proof-of-stake consensus algorithm. It is designed to support smart contracts and distributed apps, as well as providing users with a secure and reliable way to store and transfer their money.
6. Monero (XMR): A privacy-focused cryptocurrency, Monero is designed to enable anonymous and untraceable transactions on its blockchain. It has become popular with criminal organizations due its high levels of security and application of cryptographic tools.