Every time cryptocurrencies become a topic, Bitcoin quickly appears as a reference. However, contrary to what it may seem at first conversation, despite this being the biggest and most relevant project in this universe, it is far from being the only one.
There are literally thousands of possibilities that go beyond Bitcoin - and these projects are known as altcoins.
In a consultation on the listing of cryptocurrencies on the Coinmarketcap website, we have this very explicit preponderance of Bitcoin, right next to Ethereum - the two alone basically represent 70% of the total market:
However, from this total capitalization, there are several other options.
Looking at this Binance listing, we found at least 10 projects with a capitalization of more than US$10 billion, at least 70 cryptocurrencies with a market value of more than US$1 billion and there are at least 400 options in this asset class with a capitalization of more than US$100 million. There are many cryptocurrencies with a higher market value than companies available on Ibovespa, for example.
With so many existing projects, the curiosity remains: will some surpass Bitcoin in the year 2024? We've separated six so you can stay up to date!
Important, before we continue: data from 2024 until 04/18 were considered; During this period, Bitcoin appreciated by almost 50%:
Ah, another important addendum: the 2024 rise will not necessarily be greater than that of Bitcoin, but we will address the real potential for this to end up happening by the end of this year.
It will get easier as you read, come with us!
Dogecoin: the biggest meme in the world
This altcoin is somewhat controversial: it has already soared a few times due to posts on a social network (which was even purchased by the person who made those posts, but that's another conversation) and, in the eyes of those who don't look more carefully, it is just a meme.
But anyone who thinks this way is mistaken: in addition to having a capitalization of more than US$20 billion (in other words, it is one of the ten largest cryptocurrencies that exist), in 2024 alone it has already grown by more than 60%:
There is also a third factor to take into account in addition to the market value and the rise of the altcoin in 2024: according to a report from the consultancy Santiment at the end of last year, Dogecoin is the cryptocurrency that is most present in digital wallets, with the exception only Bitcoin and Ethereum.
That's exactly what you read: it's the most expensive and present meme there is!
Stacks: from Bitcoin's ribs to optimizing it
Operating on the same original Bitcoin network, Stacks is a project that was created to optimize transactions carried out there. This altcoin appreciated by almost 70% in 2024:
Stacks' biggest differentiator, and which helps justify all the attention it has gained, is the fact that it promotes integration between the use of Bitcoin for financial transactions and functions such as smart contracts and decentralized applications (DApps).
In practice, this means that, simultaneously, this altcoin ends up taking the best of the two biggest cryptos that exist: the reliability of Bitcoin's transactional value and the versatility of uses of Ethereum.
That being the case, you probably still have a lot of upside ahead of you!
BNB: walking with Binance
An interesting phenomenon brought about by the crypto universe is the possibility of following the growth of a project when it is associated with a company, almost as if you were buying a share.
When you buy a stock, you are buying one of a company, but the limitation is that you only do this in certain markets. If you buy a share on Ibovespa, it will only “work” in the Brazilian market, or with adaptations (BDRs) in other markets. An altcoin native to a company does not depend on where it operates: buying a unit is almost like buying a “global and unrestricted share”.
This is the case of BNB, which is Binance's native altcoin and in 2024 it practically doubled in value:
The biggest highlight of BNB is the fact that Binance is the largest cryptocurrency exchange on the planet and, taking into account its ongoing expansion potential, anyone who has this token in their wallet will follow this growth!
Solana: a network that unfolds in growth
Having started as a project in 2017 and entering the market as an altcoin in 2020, this initiative is somewhat more recent than Bitcoin and Ethereum, but its difference is that it stands out due to its scalability, speed and low transaction fees, in addition to of the different possibilities in DeFi and decentralized applications (DApps).
In fact, at the time it became a token, this project was already known as "Ethereum Killer".
Through the Proof of History (PoH) consensus mechanism, Solana can carry out up to 65 thousand transactions per second, which makes the project one of the most capable in this regard among all existing cryptocurrencies.
In 2024 Solana has already appreciated 43%:
In a highly volatile market, it is almost impossible to notice that Solana grew less than Bitcoin, as the difference is somewhat subtle. Especially because, even with a slightly lower growth, the market value already exceeds US$60 billion, which makes this altcoin one of the most valuable among all projects.
Litecoin: house silver can hitch a ride
One of the most traditional altcoins, coming since 2011 and also born from the ribs of Bitcoin, running on the original project's blockchain. The difference is that Litecoin seeks to optimize, at a transactional level, the capacity of Bitcoin.
In practical terms, this difference makes the currency an altcoin with considerable acceptance. When it comes to “what can I buy with Litecoin?”, we have an interesting alternative that you’ve probably already seen as a payment method out there.
Its growth in 2024 was not that great, remaining below 10%:
However, like other projects that have a connection with Bitcoin, the arrival of the halving can benefit. And, since this is a project with greater acceptance, it may be able to piggyback on this increase!
Ethereum: the eternal war with the original project
We are calling Bitcoin an original project not because it was the first digital currency in existence, but because it represented the opening of doors in relation to this broad, complex universe with notable market value - in addition to, of course, being to this day the Largest capitalization cryptocurrency.
However, the second position occupied by Ethereum is not problematic, considering that the blockchain network is the basis of a multitude of projects and represents a relevant part of decentralized finance (DeFi).
In 2024, Ethereum has already seen its price grow by more than 30%:
Again, we have a smaller percentage growth when compared to Bitcoin. In any case, what motivates keeping an eye on Ethereum as an altcoin with growth potential that could surpass Bitcoin in 2024 is the fact that it is the second largest cryptocurrency in existence, has a multitude of projects on its network and is a key fundamental of the DeFi ecosystem.
In this gold rush we may have a beautiful shovel seller on Ethereum.
And you, which other projects could surpass Bitcoin in 2024?
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Foto de myriammira em Freepik
