The surge in Bitcoin prices has catalyzed explosive growth across the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem. Although Bitcoin and Litecoin remain the most recognized, there are now well over 1,300 alternative coins, commonly referred to as altcoins.
As of December 18, 2017, data from CoinMarketCap.com revealed that 29 cryptocurrencies had reached a market capitalization exceeding $1 billion. It's crucial to note that due to the highly volatile nature of this market, these values can change rapidly.
Here is a ranked list of these major digital currencies, ordered from the highest to the lowest market cap.
The Top 10 Billion-Dollar Cryptocurrencies
1. Bitcoin (BTC)
- Unit Price: Approximately $18,000 (with high volatility, trading between $18,000 - $20,000 in 24 hours)
- Market Capitalization: ~$215 billion
2. Ethereum (ETH)
- Unit Price: ~$2,200
- Market Capitalization: $76.3 billion
3. Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
- Unit Price: $2,218
- Market Capitalization: $36.4 billion
4. Ripple (XRP)
- Unit Price: $0.78
- Market Capitalization: $30.2 billion
5. Litecoin (LTC)
- Unit Price: $339
- Market Capitalization: $18.4 billion
6. Cardano (ADA)
- Unit Price: $0.487
- Market Capitalization: $12.6 billion
7. Iota (MIOTA)
- Unit Price: $4.27
- Market Capitalization: $11.8 billion
8. Dash (DASH)
- Unit Price: $1,136
- Market Capitalization: $8.8 billion
9. NEM (XEM)
- Unit Price: $0.81
- Market Capitalization: $7.3 billion
10. Monero (XMR)
- Unit Price: $369
- Market Capitalization: $5.7 billion
Other Significant Cryptocurrencies in the Billion-Dollar Club
11. Bitcoin Gold (BTG)
- Unit Price: $317
- Market Capitalization: $5.3 billion
12. Neo (NEO)
- Unit Price: $75
- Market Capitalization: $4.9 billion
13. EOS (EOS)
- Unit Price: $8.68
- Market Capitalization: $4.748 billion
14. Stellar (XLM)
- Unit Price: $0.268
- Market Capitalization: $4.785 billion
15. Ethereum Classic (ETC)
- Unit Price: $40
- Market Capitalization: $3.94 billion
16. Qtum (QTUM)
- Unit Price: $52.8
- Market Capitalization: $3.6 billion
17. Tron (TRX)
- Unit Price: $0.042
- Market Capitalization: $2.76 billion
18. BitConnect (BCC)
- Unit Price: $421
- Market Capitalization: $2.0 billion
19. Populous (PPT)
- Unit Price: $47.7
- Market Capitalization: $1.97 billion
20. Lisk (LSK)
- Unit Price: $16.65
- Market Capitalization: $1.932 billion
21. OmiseGO (OMG)
- Unit Price: $17.83
- Market Capitalization: $1.819 billion
22. Zcash (ZEC)
- Unit Price: $579
- Market Capitalization: $1.66 billion
23. WAVES (WAVES)
- Unit Price: $15.49
- Market Capitalization: $1.549 billion
24. Hshare (HSR)
- Unit Price: $13.11
- Market Capitalization: $1.403 billion
25. Stratis (STRAT)
- Unit Price: $12.64
- Market Capitalization: $1.25 billion
26. BitShares (BTS)
- Unit Price: $0.436
- Market Capitalization: $1.137 billion
27. Tether (USDT)
- Unit Price: $1.01
- Market Capitalization: $1.131 billion
28. Ardor (ARDR)
- Unit Price: $1.08
- Market Capitalization: $1.079 billion
29. Nxt (NXT)
- Unit Price: $1.03
- Market Capitalization: $1.028 billion
Frequently Asked Questions
What is market capitalization in cryptocurrency?
Cryptocurrency market cap is a measure of the total value of a digital asset. It is calculated by multiplying the current market price of a single coin by the total number of coins in circulation. It helps investors gauge the relative size and dominance of one cryptocurrency compared to others.
Why is Bitcoin's market cap so much larger than others?
Bitcoin enjoys the largest market cap because it was the first cryptocurrency, giving it a significant first-mover advantage, widespread recognition, and the highest level of adoption and liquidity. It is often seen as a store of value, similar to digital gold, within the crypto ecosystem.
Can a cryptocurrency's market cap change quickly?
Absolutely. The crypto market is known for its extreme volatility. Prices can swing dramatically based on news, regulatory announcements, technological developments, and broader market sentiment. Consequently, a coin's valuation and its rank by market size can change very rapidly.
What is the difference between coin price and market cap?
The unit price is the cost to buy one single coin or token. The market cap reflects the total value of all coins in existence. A coin with a lower price can have a higher market cap than a more expensive coin if there is a larger supply of it in circulation.
How can I track these market cap changes in real-time?
Several reputable websites provide live data on cryptocurrency prices, trading volumes, and market capitalizations. These platforms update continuously, allowing you to monitor the dynamic movements of the digital currency markets. 👉 View real-time market data tools
Are all these cryptocurrencies used for the same purpose?
No, they serve different functions. While some, like Bitcoin, are primarily designed as a decentralized currency, others like Ethereum power smart contracts and decentralized applications. Some focus on privacy (Monero, Zcash), while others aim to solve specific issues like cross-border payments (Ripple) or scalability.