Crypto assets are redefining modern finance—opening doors to global investing, wealth creation, and financial freedom without borders. Yet for newcomers, the fast pace of innovation and unfamiliar jargon can feel overwhelming.
This guide breaks down the key types of crypto assets driving today’s market, giving you a clear foundation to explore and invest confidently.
In the world of digital finance, knowledge is your strongest asset. Understand the landscape, set clear goals, and take your first steps into crypto with clarity and purpose.
Introduction to Crypto
What started as an experimental idea in digital money has evolved into a driving force behind the global digital economy. Today, crypto tokens power decentralized ecosystems, simplify value exchange, and unlock fresh avenues for innovation and user participation.
Anchored by blockchain’s transparency and security, tokens are reshaping entire industries—from gaming and collectibles to fan experiences and creator platforms. They mark a new era where technology, value, and community converge to redefine how we interact, transact, and create online.
Top 10 Cryptos (November 2025)
| Coin | Market Capitalization | Current Price |
| Bitcoin (BTC) | $2.09 trillion | $105,010.23 |
| Ethereum (ETH) | $421.41 billion | $3,491.53 |
| XRP (XRP) | $145.72 billion | $2.42 |
| BNB (BNB) | $133.36 billion | $968.47 |
| Solana (SOL) | $87.86 billion | $158.54 |
| TRON (TRX) | $28.35 billion | $0.2995 |
| Dogecoin (DOGE) | $26.60 billion | $0.1751 |
| Cardano (ADA) | $20.41 billion | $0.5692 |
| Chainlink (LINK) | $10.96 billion | $15.72 |
| Hyperliquid (HYPE) | $13.45 billion | $39.98 |
Note: This list has been made based on internal research and should not be taken as investment advice. Investors should do their thorough research before buying or selling crypto assets.
Bitcoin (BTC)
The oldest and most popular crypto token on the market, Bitcoin was the coin that started the entire crypto craze. From its humble beginnings in 2009, it has soared to unimaginable heights and gained the attention of investors, the media and businesses.
The network is used as an alternative means of payment to cash and is protected through Proof of Work consensus. All transactions are stored on a blockchain, while miners can earn rewards for each block of transactions they confirm.
Pros of Bitcoin
- Most well-known token, which leads to heavy investments in the project.
- Relatively stable compared to some newer crypto tokens.
Cons of Bitcoin
- BTC operates on proof of work, which consumes a lot of electricity and requires excessive time to confirm transactions.
- As BTC acts as an index of the general crypto market, it rarely deviates from general market trends and conditions.
Ethereum (ETH)
After Bitcoin, Ethereum has established itself as one of the most dominant forces in the crypto market. It was the first to introduce smart contract functionality, which enables developers to create and automate several key features we take for granted today. Ethereum is also built to provide a platform for decentralised applications and finance, becoming the leading blockchain to service this need.
Pros of Ethereum
- The largest player in the DeFi and dApp space. This gives it market dominance and requires that competitors offer much greater incentives to switch.
- Ethereum’s Proof of Stake consensus mechanism has made the blockchain highly efficient. The future upgrades are focused on increasing TPS and improving the already robust security protocols.
Cons of Ethereum
- Ethereum sometimes has high network traffic that can slow transactions down to a crawl. It must rely on scaling solutions to address the traffic on its network.
- Ethereum’s transaction costs can also skyrocket. In some cases, the fees can be higher than the value of the transaction.
Ripple (XRP)
Unlike other general-purpose tokens, XRP is focused on creating payment solutions for banks and financial institutions. It solves several problems with competing systems like SWIFT for international settlements. Instead of requiring several hours or days for transfers to be finalised, XRP allows such settlements to be completed in a matter of seconds.
Read more: What is Ripple (XRP)
Ripple has made traditional finance much more accessible for users through the efficient application of blockchain technology.
Pros of Ripple
- Much faster than its competitors like SWIFT.
- Expand access to banking and international settlement by lowering barriers to use.
Cons of Ripple
- The network is highly centralised as all transactions are confirmed by a federated group of financial institutions.
- Ripple Labs is engaged in a legal battle with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
Binance Coin (BNB)
Launched in 2017, BNB has evolved from a simple token to powering its own ecosystem. At first, BNB was used to provide special benefits to users of the Binance crypto exchange, such as lower fees, exclusive access to initial coin offerings and cashback.
Today, it forms the backbone of the BNB Chain ecosystem, which boasts high speed and low cost to compete with Ethereum’s dominance. It has established itself as a strong option in the market.
Pros of BNB
- Low costs and high throughput mean it can service much greater demand than many competitors.
- Owning BNB provides you benefits on the Binance exchange platform
Cons of BNB
- BNB is a highly centralized token, as it is controlled and managed by Binance. This reduces the freedom available to its community.
- BNB’s success is tied to Binance, which the regulators of several countries like the UK, Japan and Germany have targeted.
Solana (SOL)
Solana is a decentralised blockchain platform created for scalability first and foremost. It is one of the fastest blockchains on the market, with a transaction speed of almost 65,000 per second. It accomplishes this through the unique Proof of History consensus mechanism, which allows nodes to synchronise time across the network.
Solana has been one of the fastest-growing projects in the DeFi space and is widely called an “Ethereum-killer”.
Pros of Solana
- Solana is one of the fastest blockchains on the market, making it highly popular among investors.
- The platform also has very low transaction fees, with an average of $0.00025.
Cons of Solana
- Solana is not easily interoperable with Ethereum, thus restricting its smart contracts to those built for the network.
- Solana has experienced several network outages that have made it unreliable for its users.
TRON (TRX)
Tron (TRX) is a blockchain platform designed to decentralize the internet by enabling fast, low-cost transactions and supporting a wide range of decentralized applications (dApps). Its focus on scalability and efficiency has made it a popular choice for developers and users alike.
Pros of Tron
- Tron offers fast, low-cost transactions suitable for high-volume decentralized applications.
- Its expanding ecosystem supports diverse use cases, including DeFi, NFTs, and gaming.
Cons of Tron
- The network faces criticism for being more centralized than other major blockchains.
- Ongoing regulatory scrutiny and leadership controversies may affect its long-term perception.
Dogecoin (DOGE)
Dogecoin is one of the most popular tokens among investors. Initially started as a joke on Bitcoin, it became an internet sensation that garnered a passionate and active community. Its unique value is that it is based on the popular “Doge” meme.
The project has been endorsed by several figures in the crypto community and celebrities like Elon Musk and Vitalik Buterin. It is important to note that Dogecoin is a memecoin and does not have intrinsic value, except for a strong community. Investors should conduct thorough due diligence before deciding to invest in Memecoins.
Pros of Dogecoin
- The unique value proposition of a Memecoin that has sustained its power in the market.
- Active community working for the token’s success.
Cons of Dogecoin
- No practical application, value is only based on a meme.
- There is no cap on the total supply of DOGE, which leads to inflation in the token.
Cardano (ADA)
Cardano is a decentralized blockchain project designed as an open-source platform to support peer-to-peer transactions. Its structured architecture allows for smart contracts, ensuring adaptability and scalability while maintaining robust security measures.
Read more: What is Cardano (ADA)
Pros of Cardano
- Energy Efficiency: Cardano’s Proof-of-Stake (PoS) algorithm is more energy-efficient than Ethereum’s Proof-of-Work (PoW) system, resulting in lower transaction costs and reduced environmental impact.
- Scalability: Designed to handle a high volume of transactions per second, Cardano offers a highly scalable platform for decentralized applications (DApps) and smart contracts.
- Safety and Security: Utilizing the Haskell programming language known for its safety features, Cardano ensures a secure environment for complex smart contracts and DApps, enhancing overall platform security.
Cons of Cardano
- Limited Adoption: Despite its advantages, Cardano is still relatively new and has not achieved widespread adoption compared to platforms like Ethereum, resulting in fewer available DApps and smart contracts.
- Centralization Concerns: While decentralized, critics argue that Cardano may not be entirely decentralized, raising concerns about token distribution and governance within the platform.
Chainlink (LINK)
Chainlink (LINK) is a decentralized oracle network that connects smart contracts with real-world data, enabling reliable and secure automation across blockchain ecosystems. It plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between on-chain and off-chain environments.
Pros of Chainlink
- Provides accurate, tamper-proof data feeds essential for DeFi and smart contract functionality.
- Strong partnerships and integrations across major blockchain projects enhance its utility and adoption.
Cons of Chainlink
- Heavy dependence on DeFi use cases makes it vulnerable to sector-wide downturns.
- Network upgrades and scaling improvements can be slow compared to emerging oracle competitors.
Hyperliquid (HYPE)
Hyperliquid is a next-generation decentralized exchange (DEX) focused on perpetual futures trading, offering deep liquidity, lightning-fast execution, and an intuitive user experience — all without compromising on transparency or decentralization.
Pros of Hyperliquid
- Delivers high-speed, low-latency trading comparable to centralized exchanges.
- Provides advanced perpetual trading features with strong liquidity and cross-margin support.
Cons of Hyperliquid
- Still a relatively new platform, with adoption and security track record yet to be fully established.
- Limited token listings compared to larger exchanges may restrict trading options for users.
Conclusion
The crypto ecosystem flourishes through the balance between established leaders and ambitious newcomers, each shaping its growth in distinct ways. Well-known tokens provide stability and reliability, acting as familiar ground for those entering the space.
At the same time, experienced investors explore rising projects that bring innovation, improved functionality, and long-term potential. This dynamic blend of tradition and innovation keeps the crypto market energetic, resilient, and ever-evolving.
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