The stock market has been struggling this year, with the S&P 500 down 3% as of March 19. The cryptocurrency market is faring even worse, with Bitcoin (BTC 0.36%) dropping 19% in 2026, continuing a decline that began last October. Other significant coins have experienced even larger decreases.
A potential positive amidst this downturn is that investing in cryptocurrencies has become much less expensive than in recent months. With this in mind, let’s explore some of the top cryptocurrencies worth considering if you’re looking to purchase during this dip.
1. Bitcoin
When it comes to cryptocurrency, sometimes simplicity is best. The most straightforward choice is to invest in Bitcoin. While it lacks the complexity of alternatives for launching decentralized finance (DeFi) projects or meme coins, its market stature and brand recognition make it one of the safest cryptocurrency investments.
Bitcoin is the largest digital asset, capped at a maximum supply of 21 million coins. Investors often purchase it as a store of value and to diversify their portfolios, with the supply limitation leading to its increase in demand.
2. Ethereum
Like Bitcoin, Ethereum (ETH 1.95%) is also attracting significant institutional interest. With approximately $165 billion in stablecoins being transacted on its network—over half of the total stablecoin market, including Tether, USDC, etc.—Ethereum is increasingly seen as a key player. Notably, when JPMorgan Chase Asset Management introduced its first tokenized money market fund, it opted for the Ethereum blockchain.
Despite facing criticism for inefficiencies compared to competitors regarding transaction processing speed and gas fees, the Ethereum Foundation has initiated an ambitious long-term upgrade plan aiming for significantly improved performance by 2029.
3. Solana
Solana (SOL 1.48%) stands as a notable competitor to Ethereum. While still trailing behind in market capitalization and total value locked (TVL), it excels in efficiency, achieving over 1,000 transactions per second with a minute transaction cost of $0.002.
The high speed and low cost of Solana have made it a go-to choice for users and developers alike. This has resulted in nearly $2 billion worth of real-world assets being managed on its blockchain. Solana was additionally selected by Visa for a recent U.S. stablecoin settlement initiative.
In summary, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana make up a compelling cryptocurrency portfolio. While the market remains highly volatile, and investing should be approached cautiously, these assets present potential opportunities for those looking to invest wisely.
