The world of blockchain and digital currencies can seem overwhelming — especially for newcomers. In 2018, the cryptocurrency landscape was rapidly evolving, with innovative projects emerging across decentralized finance, privacy, smart contracts, and more. This guide explores the top 100 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization as of July 30, 2018, based on CoinMarketCap data. Whether you're new to crypto or expanding your knowledge, this breakdown provides a clear, concise look at the foundational projects that shaped the era.
The Pioneers: Bitcoin and Early Innovators
Bitcoin (BTC)
Bitcoin remains the cornerstone of the crypto ecosystem — a peer-to-peer electronic cash system that introduced decentralized digital money. As the first blockchain-based currency, BTC enables trustless transactions without intermediaries.
Ethereum (ETH)
Ethereum revolutionized blockchain technology by introducing smart contracts. It’s not just a cryptocurrency but a full-fledged platform for building decentralized applications (DApps), powering much of the innovation seen in DeFi and NFTs.
Ripple (XRP)
Ripple’s XRP aims to streamline global payments, particularly for financial institutions. It operates on an open payment protocol allowing fast, low-cost cross-border transfers in any currency.
Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
Born from a hard fork of Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash increased block size to 8MB to enable faster and cheaper transactions. It focuses on being used as digital cash rather than a store of value.
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Privacy-Focused and Secure Alternatives
Privacy is a critical concern in digital finance, and several coins emerged to address it:
- Monero (XMR): Uses advanced cryptography like ring signatures and stealth addresses to ensure untraceable transactions.
- Zcash (ZEC): Implements zero-knowledge proofs (zk-SNARKs) to allow fully private transactions while maintaining blockchain integrity.
- Dash (DASH): Offers optional private transactions through PrivateSend and instant settlements via InstantSend.
- ZCoin (XZC): The first to implement the Zerocoin protocol, enhancing user anonymity through zero-knowledge proofs.
These projects emphasize financial sovereignty and data protection — essential features in an increasingly transparent digital world.
Platforms for Decentralized Applications
Many top-ranked cryptos serve as infrastructure for next-generation applications:
EOS (EOS)
Led by blockchain visionary Dan Larimer, EOS is designed as an operating-system-like platform capable of supporting thousands of industrial-scale DApps with zero transaction fees and high throughput.
TRON (TRX)
TRON focuses on decentralizing the internet and entertainment industry. Its protocol supports high-performance DApps and has become one of the most widely used blockchain ecosystems for stablecoins and gaming.
Cardano (ADA)
Developed using peer-reviewed research, Cardano brings scientific rigor to blockchain development. ADA enables secure, scalable smart contracts and aims for interoperability between different blockchains.
Tezos (XTZ)
Known for its self-amending governance model, Tezos allows stakeholders to vote on protocol upgrades — reducing the risk of disruptive hard forks.
Stablecoins: Bridging Crypto and Fiat
Stablecoins offer price stability by pegging their value to real-world assets like the US dollar:
- Tether (USDT): The most widely adopted stablecoin, USDT maintains a 1:1 parity with USD and is crucial for trading pairs across exchanges.
- Maker (MKR) & Dai: Unlike centralized USDT, Dai is a decentralized stablecoin backed by crypto collateral on the MakerDAO platform. MKR holders govern the system and absorb losses if collateral values drop.
These assets reduce volatility risks and are vital for remittances, trading, and DeFi lending.
Emerging Technologies: DAG, Oracles, and Compute
Beyond traditional blockchains, some projects explored novel architectures:
IOTA (MIOTA)
Built on a directed acyclic graph (DAG) called "Tangle," IOTA targets machine-to-machine (M2M) microtransactions for IoT devices — offering feeless, scalable transfers.
ChainLink (LINK)
ChainLink connects smart contracts with real-world data through decentralized oracles. This bridge enables use cases like weather-based insurance or price-triggered trades.
Golem (GNT)
Golem creates a decentralized marketplace for computing power. Users can rent out idle GPU/CPU resources or access supercomputing capabilities at low cost.
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Niche Use Cases and Industry-Specific Solutions
Several cryptocurrencies target specific industries:
- Waltonchain (WTC): Combines RFID with blockchain to create traceable supply chains — ideal for manufacturing and logistics.
- Dentacoin (DCN): Focuses on improving global dental care through patient feedback systems and transparent pricing.
- Power Ledger (POWR): Enables peer-to-peer energy trading, allowing households with solar panels to sell excess electricity securely.
These projects demonstrate how blockchain can solve real-world inefficiencies beyond finance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why was Bitcoin Gold (BTG) created?
A: Bitcoin Gold was a hard fork of Bitcoin designed to restore GPU mining fairness by changing the proof-of-work algorithm, making ASIC mining ineffective.
Q: What makes EOS different from Ethereum?
A: EOS uses delegated proof-of-stake (DPoS) for faster consensus and scales better for commercial DApp usage. It also eliminates user fees — developers pay for resource usage instead.
Q: Is USDT safe to use?
A: While widely adopted, USDT has faced scrutiny over reserve transparency. However, ongoing audits have improved confidence in its dollar backing.
Q: How does Decred (DCR) combine PoW and PoS?
A: Miners secure the network via PoW, but stakeholders vote on governance proposals using PoS. This hybrid model enhances decentralization and long-term sustainability.
Q: Can I mine Verge (XVG)?
A: Yes, Verge supports multiple mining algorithms (Scrypt, X17, etc.) to promote decentralization and resist ASIC dominance.
Q: What is the purpose of Binance Coin (BNB)?
A: Originally an ERC-20 token, BNB powers the Binance ecosystem — used for trading fee discounts, token sales, and decentralized applications on BSC.
The Rise of Interoperability and Cross-Chain Solutions
Projects like Wanchain (WAN) and Polymath (POLY) focus on connecting isolated blockchains:
- Wanchain enables cross-chain smart contracts and asset transfers.
- Polymath secures compliance for security tokens, making it easier to issue regulated digital assets.
These efforts aim to unify fragmented ecosystems into a cohesive financial network.
Final Thoughts: The Foundation of Modern Crypto
While many of these 2018-era projects have evolved or faded, they laid the groundwork for today’s advancements in DeFi, Web3, and institutional adoption. From BTC’s decentralization to ETH’s programmability and emerging privacy tools, each coin contributed uniquely to blockchain’s growth.
As you explore this space, remember that understanding historical context helps anticipate future trends.
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