Images by Getty Photographs; Illustration by Bankrate
Cryptocurrency costs have fluctuated broadly thus far this yr, leaving some buyers with notable positive factors and others with losses. However crypto is a notoriously dangerous funding and costs can skyrocket or plummet in a matter of days or minutes. Conserving a watch out for the highest performers every so often can provide you vital context on how the market is performing.
Listed below are the highest eight best-performing cryptocurrencies year-to-date.
Knowledge as of April 15, 2025.
Prime-performing cryptocurrencies in 2025
| Cryptocurrency | Efficiency YTD |
|---|---|
| UNUS SED LEO | 3.46% |
| XRP | 2.87% |
| Tether | 0.19% |
| Ethena USDe | 0.15% |
| Dai | 0.04% |
| USDC | -0.01% |
| USDS | -0.92% |
| TRON | -2.43% |
Supply: Coinmarketcap.com.
Be aware: The highest eight cryptocurrencies featured right here all have a market cap above $4 billion.
1. UNUS SED LEO (LEO)
UNUS SED LEO is a crypto coin that was launched by the corporate iFinex (the father or mother firm of Bitfinex, a crypto alternate). The coin was created to rebuild belief amongst buyers after the corporate skilled a number of authorized points. The coin affords diminished charges and entry to particular options on Bitfinex.
- Value: $9.36
- Market cap: $8.65 billion
2. XRP (XRP)
XRP was created to allow sooner cash transactions. Its fundamental 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.
- Value: $2.13
- Market cap: $124.83 billion
3. 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 capability to behave as a medium when merchants alternate one coin for one more, or aren’t fairly able to money out their earnings.
- Value: $0.9999
- Market cap: $144.56 billion
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 acute worth fluctuations related to it.
- Value: $0.9992
- Market cap: $4.91 billion
5. Dai (DAI)
Dai is a collateral-backed stablecoin. It’s decentralized and runs on the Ethereum blockchain. In contrast to some stablecoins which can be backed by the U.S. greenback by way of a 1:1 ratio, Dai is backed by crypto collateral on a platform referred to 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 sensible contract on the blockchain.
- Value: $0.9999
- Market cap: $5.37 billion
6. 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 referred to as Circle. Just lately, the corporate filed an preliminary public providing to go public on the New York Inventory Trade.
- Value: $0.9999
- Market cap: $60.34 billion
7. USDS (USDS)
USDS is a stablecoin made by an organization referred to as Sky Protocol. The stablecoin works by requiring customers to safe collateral in good contracts referred to as “Sky Vaults.” USDS is not like Tether and USDC, however just like Dai in that it requires additional crypto as collateral to ensure the coin’s worth stays near $1.
- Value: $0.9999
- Market cap: $7.27 billion
8. TRON (TRX)
Tron was created in 2017 and is a decentralized blockchain. The Tron community itself makes use of good contracts to create dApps on the Tron blockchain. TRON, or TRX, is the token behind the community.
- Value: $0.2485
- Market cap: $23.6 billion
Must you put money into cryptocurrency?
Crypto costs have fallen not too long ago as buyers proceed to grapple with sticky inflation and broader market swings on tariff information.
The vital 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) must be a part of a broader funding technique — not your just one — with a view to offset any cash you possibly can lose. Take time to think about your particular person threat tolerance and time horizon for assembly different monetary objectives like retirement.
Backside line
When investing in any sort of asset, it helps to take a look at the highest performers to get a way of what’s happening available in the market. In relation to crypto, it’s particularly vital as a result of the costs fluctuate a lot and new cash are issued at a quick tempo. Earlier than investing in crypto, think about your personal threat tolerance and solely make investments what you’re keen to lose.
Editorial Disclaimer: All buyers are suggested to conduct their very own impartial analysis into funding methods earlier than investing resolution. As well as, buyers are suggested that previous funding product efficiency is not any assure of future worth appreciation.
