Ethereum (ETH -4.22%) is one of the biggest names in crypto, which can be a blessing and a curse. Because of its popularity, it's one of the safer investment options. While there are no guarantees that any crypto will succeed over time, Ethereum has a much better chance than some lesser-known cryptocurrencies.
However, because it's already one of the most popular cryptocurrencies, you may not stand to gain as much by investing now. Fortunately, there are a few options that could follow in Ethereum's footsteps in terms of growth, and they could potentially be lucrative over the long run.
1. Solana
Solana (SOL 7.56%) has long been known as an "Ethereum killer" and has become one of the fastest-growing cryptocurrencies of 2021. Since then, though, it's been in a slump -- with its price falling nearly 88% from its peak in November.
While that may seem like bad news for investors, the upside is that there's plenty of room for growth. By investing now, you could see potentially lucrative returns if Solana makes a comeback.
And it is possible for Solana to rebound. One major advantage it has over Ethereum is its blazing-fast speed. Despite its recent update, The Merge, Ethereum still struggles with slow transaction times and high fees.
Solana can reportedly process up to 65,000 transactions per second, compared to Ethereum's dismal 13 transactions per second. If developers and users grow tired of Ethereum's congestion and high gas fees, they could come flocking to Solana.
2. Cardano
Cardano (ADA -4.17%) is similar to Ethereum and Solana in that it's a smart contract platform that can host decentralized applications (dApps). Unlike its competitors, however, Cardano's developers are taking a deliberately careful approach to the blockchain's growth. All updates must go through a peer-review process, and developers are following a five-stage roadmap in building out new features.
In theory, this should make Cardano more consistent and reliable with fewer bugs. This is a major advantage in the crypto space as this new technology often leads to serious glitches and frustration among users.
Cardano is also much smaller than Ethereum, with a market cap of just under $14 billion -- compared to Ethereum's whopping $191 billion. This could suggest that Cardano has plenty of room for growth.
3. Polygon
Polygon (MATIC -6.71%) is a Layer 2 sidechain and works alongside Ethereum to improve its transaction times and reduce costs. It essentially functions as a second blockchain to process transactions, clearing up some of the congestion on Ethereum's main network.
But Polygon doesn't just benefit Ethereum. It's also partnered with major companies like Meta Platforms, Disney, and Coca-Cola to help integrate blockchain solutions into their existing ecosystems.
In short, Polygon aims to improve the efficiency of blockchain technology. And between its partnerships with companies and Ethereum's reliance on it to improve its speed, Polygon could be poised for serious growth in the near future.
While all cryptocurrencies are still speculative right now, some have better chances than others of seeing long-term growth. Nobody knows for certain whether Solana, Cardano, or Polygon will see Ethereum-level returns, but if you're willing to take the risk, you could potentially see lucrative rewards.
Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Katie Brockman has positions in Ethereum. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Cardano, Ethereum, Meta Platforms, Inc., Polygon, Solana, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2024 $145 calls on Walt Disney, long January 2024 $47.50 calls on Coca-Cola, and short January 2024 $155 calls on Walt Disney. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
FAQs
Which is the next Ethereum? Some crypto analysts believe that Cardano, Solana, and Avalanche each make a great case as the next Ethereum.
What crypto is Motley Fool buying? ›
The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin, Coinbase Global, Ethereum, Solana, and Uniswap Protocol Token. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
What coin will skyrocket in 2024? ›
Capitalizing on the renewed enthusiasm for meme coins, especially those with Shiba Inu-themed charm like Dogecoin ($DOGE) – projected to skyrocket by 131% in 2024 – PlayDoge pits its own virtual Shiba Inu into the mix and looks to secure the additional $162,000 to round up its funding figures.
What is the Motley Fool's prediction for Ethereum? ›
Prediction: Ethereum Will Hit $5,000 by 2025. The Motley Fool.
Which crypto has 1000x potential? ›
Top of our 1000x potential list is Pepe Unchained. Pepe Unchained ($PEPU) introduces Pepe, the iconic meme avatar, on its own blockchain. Built on Ethereum's layer-two (L2) blockchain, Pepe Unchained offers unprecedented speed, low transaction costs, and high staking rewards.
Which crypto will reach $10,000? ›
At the beginning of 2030, the ETH price could reclaim its position of $10,000 and probably be above that level, establishing a robust upward trend. ETH might even bypass this all-time high of around $12,000 and set a new record. But, again, after reaching this peak, a crucial pullback might ensue.
What is the Motley Fool crypto in 2024? ›
What crypto is most likely to explode? The crypto that's most likely to explode is SingularityNET, a platform for creating, sharing, and monetizing AI services.
Which crypto will skyrocket? ›
Established titans like Bitcoin and Ether are going to be portfolio mainstays. But rising stars like Solana and Injective are also vying for a piece of the digital future. Prepare yourself, as 2024 promises to be a profitable year for crypto investors.
What crypto has the most potential? ›
Bitcoin – The World's De Facto Crypto With Uncapped Potential in the Coming Years. Long-term investors will view Bitcoin as the best crypto with the most potential. While it's already a trillion-dollar project, Bitcoin's long-term growth trajectory is uncapped.
Which coin will boom in future? ›
Top 10 Cryptos in 2024
| Coin | Market Capitalization | Current Price |
|---|
| Bitcoin (BTC) | $1.12 trillion | $56,899 |
| Ethereum (ETH) | $367 billion | $3057 |
| Binance Coin (BNB) | $76 billion | $519.05 |
| Solana (SOL) | $62 billion | $134 |
6 more rowsConclusion (Next Cryptocurrency to Explode in 2025)
While predicting which coins will 5X by 2025 is challenging, Ethereum, XRP, Cardano, Dogecoin, Toncoin, Shiba Inu, TRON, Cronos, and NEAR Protocol are among the top contenders with strong potential for explosive growth.
Which coin will explode in 2030? ›
Cryptocurrency Forecasts at a Glance
| Cryptocurrency | 2024 Forecast | 2030 Forecast |
|---|
| Bitcoin Minetrix | +750% | +3,100% |
| Hypeloot | +600% | +2,600% |
| Bitcoin | +175% | +1,200% |
| Ethereum | +150% | +1,100% |
12 more rowsApr 10, 2024
In like fashion, Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency, is expected to maintain its upward trajectory and form higher highs in 2025. Moreover, with increased adoption and the demand for ETH, the ETH coin price can create a new all-time high of $14,925.
Will Ethereum hit $10,000? ›
The prospect of Ethereum (ETH) hitting the $10,000 mark has sent ripples of excitement across the crypto community. The convergence of these factors suggests a promising future for Ethereum (ETH), reinforcing its position as a leading cryptocurrency with significant growth potential.
What is the next prediction for Ethereum? ›
Our most recent Ethereum price forecast indicates that its value will increase by 0.69% and reach $3,484.24 by July 26, 2024. Our technical indicators signal about the Neutral Bullish 66% market sentiment on Ethereum, while the Fear & Greed Index is displaying a score of 69 (Greed).
What is the best competitor to Ethereum? ›
Top 15 Ethereum Competitors and Alternatives in 2024
- Filecoin (FIL) Market Cap as of April 14: $3.42 billion. ...
- Polygon (MATIC) Market Cap as of April 14: $7.31 billion. ...
- Chainlink (LINK) Market Cap as of April 14: $8.58 billion. ...
- USD Coin (USDC) ...
- Tron (TRX) ...
- Polkadot (DOT) ...
- Avalanche (AVAX) ...
- Shiba Inu (SHIB)
Top 10 Cryptos in 2024
| Coin | Market Capitalization | Current Price |
|---|
| Bitcoin (BTC) | $1.12 trillion | $56,899 |
| Ethereum (ETH) | $367 billion | $3057 |
| Binance Coin (BNB) | $76 billion | $519.05 |
| Solana (SOL) | $62 billion | $134 |
6 more rows