Pictures by Getty Photos; Illustration by Bankrate
Cryptocurrency costs have fluctuated broadly to date this yr, leaving some buyers with notable features and others with losses. However crypto is a notoriously dangerous funding and costs can skyrocket or plummet in a matter of days or minutes. Preserving an eye fixed out for the highest performers now and again can provide you essential context on how the market is performing.
Listed here are the highest eight best-performing cryptocurrencies year-to-date.
Knowledge as of Might 1 , 2025.
High-performing cryptocurrencies in 2025
| Cryptocurrency | Efficiency YTD |
|---|---|
| Monero | 42.41% |
| XRP | 7.61% |
| Bitcoin | 3.72% |
| Ethena USDe | 0.30% |
| Tether | 0.26% |
| Dai | 0.04% |
| USDC | 0.02% |
| UNUS SED LEO | -1.02% |
Supply: CoinMarketCap.com.
Observe: The highest eight cryptocurrencies featured right here all have a market cap above $4 billion.
1. Monero (XMR)
Monero is a particular crypto designed to maintain its customers nameless. Not like different tokens, Monero makes use of cryptographic expertise to cover the small print of transactions that happen on its blockchain. The coin was launched in 2014.
- Worth: $274.91
- Market cap: $5.07 billion
2. XRP (XRP)
XRP was created to allow quicker cash transactions. Its foremost use case is to energy Ripplenet, which is a system that permits quick and environment friendly worldwide cash transfers. In some circumstances, Ripplenet surpasses the capabilities of different related platforms like SWIFT. The XRP ledger is open supply, however circuitously on the blockchain, which has led many individuals to query whether or not XRP is technically a cryptocurrency.
- Worth: $2.24
- Market cap: $131.01 billion
3. Bitcoin (BTC)
Because the granddaddy of all of them, Bitcoin is commonly the token folks reference after they discuss crypto. Bitcoin has a mysterious creator — allegedly Satoshi Nakamoto — who launched the forex in 2009.
- Worth: $96,964.45
- Market cap: $1.93 trillion
4. Ethena USDe (USDe)
USDe is a stablecoin tied to the worth of the U.S. greenback. Like different stablecoins, USDe offers buyers the expertise of proudly owning a crypto with out the intense value fluctuations related to it.
- Worth: $1.00
- Market cap: $4.67 billion
5. Tether (USDT)
Tether is among the world’s hottest stablecoins. Its worth is pegged to the U.S. greenback by way of a 1:1 ratio. Tether’s hottest use case is its capacity to behave as a medium when merchants trade one coin for an additional, or aren’t fairly able to money out their earnings.
- Worth: $1.00
- Market cap: $148.76 billion
6. Dai (DAI)
Dai is a collateral-backed stablecoin. It’s decentralized and runs on the Ethereum blockchain. Not like some stablecoins which are backed by the U.S. greenback by way of a 1:1 ratio, Dai is backed by crypto collateral on a platform known as MakerDAO. For each Dai coin created, the collateral behind it at all times must be greater than $1 (or the worth of 1 Dai coin). This info is locked in a wise contract on the blockchain.
- Worth: $0.9997
- Market cap: $5.36 billion
7. USDC (USDC)
Much like Tether, USDC is a stablecoin backed by the U.S. greenback. USDC operates on just a few blockchains, however most notably Ethereum. USDC is managed by an organization known as Circle. Not too long ago, the corporate filed an preliminary public providing to go public on the New York Inventory Trade.
- Worth: $1.00
- Market cap: $61.39 billion
8. UNUS SED LEO (LEO)
UNUS SED LEO is a crypto coin that was launched by iFinex (the mum or dad firm of Bitfinex, a crypto trade). The coin was created to rebuild belief amongst buyers after the corporate skilled a number of authorized points. The coin presents diminished charges and entry to particular options on Bitfinex.
- Worth: $8.95
- Market cap: $8.27 billion
Do you have to put money into cryptocurrency?
Crypto costs have regained slight momentum after falling in March and April, as buyers handled sticky inflation and broader market swings fueled by tariff information.
The essential factor to recollect is that crypto is so risky as a result of the tokens aren’t backed by any underlying asset, that means that the worth of crypto relies upon solely on what patrons are keen to pay for it.
To that finish, any investments you make within the crypto area (particularly throughout instances of market uncertainty) needs to be a part of a broader funding technique — not your just one — so as to offset any cash you could possibly lose. Take time to contemplate your particular person threat tolerance and time horizon for assembly different monetary targets like retirement.
Backside line
When investing in any kind of asset, it helps to have a look at the highest performers to get a way of what’s happening out there. In relation to crypto, it’s particularly essential as a result of the costs fluctuate a lot and new cash are issued at a quick tempo. Earlier than investing in crypto, contemplate your individual threat tolerance and solely make investments what you’re keen to lose.
Editorial Disclaimer: All buyers are suggested to conduct their very own unbiased analysis into funding methods earlier than investing determination. As well as, buyers are suggested that previous funding product efficiency isn’t any assure of future value appreciation.
