The 8 Best but Cheapest Cryptocurrencies to Watch This Year

Here is an updated, comprehensive overview of eight affordable cryptocurrencies gaining attention in 2025. These digital assets offer unique functionalities and potential for growth, making them attractive options for investors looking to diversify their portfolios.

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1. XRP (XRP)

• Current Price (May 22, 2025): $2.35
• Use Case: Cross-border payments

XRP, developed by Ripple Labs, is designed to facilitate fast and low-cost international money transfers. Unlike Bitcoin, which can take minutes to hours to process a transaction, XRP transactions settle in 3–5 seconds. Its primary users are banks and financial institutions, which use it as a bridge currency in cross-border payment systems. XRP stands out for its scalability, low fees, and institutional use, making it a promising contender in global financial infrastructure.

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2. Cardano (ADA)

• Current Price (May 22, 2025): $0.80
• Use Case: Decentralised applications and smart contracts

Cardano is a third-generation blockchain platform with a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism, making it more energy-efficient than Bitcoin and Ethereum. It is built with a strong focus on academic research and peer-reviewed protocols, ensuring high levels of security and sustainability. Cardano supports the development of decentralised applications (DApps) and smart contracts, positioning it as a competitor to Ethereum but with lower transaction costs.

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3. Dogecoin (DOGE)

• Current Price (May 22, 2025): $0.24
• Use Case: Micro-transactions and tipping

Initially created as a joke, Dogecoin has grown into a widely recognised digital currency, fueled by its community and high-profile endorsements from figures like Elon Musk. Despite its humorous beginnings, Dogecoin offers fast and low-cost transactions, making it suitable for online tipping and small payments. However, its unlimited supply model introduces high inflation risks, which investors should consider.

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4. IOTA (MIOTA)

• Current Price (May 22, 2025): $0.22
• Use Case: Internet of Things (IoT) transactions

IOTA differs from traditional blockchains because it uses a Tangle structure, enabling feeless and lightweight transactions. It is designed for the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem, allowing devices to communicate and transact autonomously. IOTA’s potential applications include supply chain management, smart cities, and machine-to-machine payments—sectors projected to grow rapidly in the next decade.

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5. Chainlink (LINK)

• Current Price (May 22, 2025): $16.40
• Use Case: Oracle network for smart contracts

Chainlink is a decentralised oracle network that connects smart contracts with real-world data, such as weather, sports scores, and financial data. This functionality is essential for building complex and reliable DApps on blockchains like Ethereum. Chainlink has secured partnerships with Google Cloud, Oracle, and SWIFT, underlining its growing role in blockchain-based services.

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6. Stellar (XLM)

• Current Price (May 22, 2025): $0.30
• Use Case: Financial services for the unbanked

Stellar was founded to increase financial inclusion by enabling low-cost, high-speed cross-border transactions. Initially aimed at individual users, the network caters to financial institutions seeking efficient remittance and settlement systems. Stellar’s native token, Lumens (XLM), is used to pay transaction fees and maintain liquidity between currencies.

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7. EOS (EOS)

• Current Price (May 22, 2025): $0.77
• Use Case: Decentralised applications (DApps)

EOS offers a scalable platform for DApps and enterprise-level blockchain solutions. Its consensus model—Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS)—enables high transaction throughput and negligible fees. EOS is well-suited for developers looking to build DeFi (Decentralised Finance) platforms or Web3 applications that require robust scalability.

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8. Polkadot (DOT)

• Current Price (May 22, 2025): $4.88
• Use Case: Blockchain interoperability CoinMarketCap

Polkadot is a next-generation blockchain protocol that connects multiple blockchains into one unified network. It enables different chains to transfer data and assets seamlessly, fostering interoperability among diverse systems. Developers can build their custom blockchains (parachains) and connect them to the main Polkadot network, promoting scalability and innovation across ecosystems.

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Conclusion: Investing in Affordable Cryptocurrencies

While the price tags of these cryptocurrencies are relatively low compared to Bitcoin and Ethereum, that does not diminish their value or potential. These digital assets offer unique capabilities and are backed by active development communities and real-world use cases.

However, cryptocurrencies are less regulated and more volatile than publicly traded stocks. Always conduct thorough research and consider your risk tolerance before investing. If you're ready to get started or diversify your holdings, choose a reputable exchange—such as Coinbase, Binance, or Kraken—to buy, sell, or trade these coins securely.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments carry risk, and past performance does not indicate future results.