By: Katie Gomez

People are calling cryptocurrency the new precious metals because everyone, from retail traders on Robinhood to long-term investors and retirement fund managers, is adding this dynamic crypto trio to their portfolio. 

Since Trump’s election, financial markets have been experiencing significant shifts as fund managers and traders quickly adapt their strategies. The cryptocurrency sector, particularly, has seen renewed interest, especially after the announcement of Trump’s notably crypto-friendly cabinet appointments. Bitcoin has demonstrated remarkable momentum post-election, reaching impressive new price points. This surge has created optimistic expectations for the broader cryptocurrency market, as investors anticipate a more favorable regulatory environment under the new administration. The leading cryptocurrency’s dramatic rise from its earlier lows reflects the market’s strong response to these political developments.

However, given that Bitcoin’s value is now starting at a whopping $83,000 a share, traders are looking ahead, investing in newer cryptocurrencies (shares ranging in cost from 17 cents to $2) and the potential they offer going forward. The following three cryptocurrencies hold the most buzz but still cost less than a Costco hot dog per share and are sending the market into a crypto-focused frenzy. In this article, I will review the three hottest cryptocurrencies, explain why they are the most popular, and how to best utilize them in your trades and investments. 

XRP: the frontrunner in this crypto race is the face of its company, Ripple, XRP. Ripple’s first creation, XRP, created a blockchain-based solution that promises to revolutionize cross-border payments. With XRP, money can be sent internationally and converted instantly, taking seconds rather than days and costing cents instead of hefty fees. This isn’t just a pipe dream; Ripple has already established over 190 financial agreements with institutions worldwide, signaling a significant shift in how global money transfers could operate in the near future. While, like most cryptocurrencies, XRP has been floating around the metaverse dormant for years, things started to change last month. 

Unlike Bitcoin, which operates primarily as a store of value (often compared to digital gold), XRP is designed as a utility token. Bitcoin’s blockchain is slower and less efficient for transactions, whereas Ripple’s blockchain, which uses XRP tokens, is built for speed and efficiency in financial operations. This fundamental difference in design and purpose means that XRP’s value is more closely tied to its adoption and use in real-world financial systems rather than speculative trading. As more financial institutions adopt Ripple’s technology and use XRP for liquidity in cross-border transactions, the demand for XRP is set to keep increasing.

While XRP started bubbling around 59 cents last month, since the election results, this share has doubled in value at $1.10 as of November 19th, causing this crypto to erupt and finally make its presence known in the markets. I bought 500 shares of XRP before it went viral in my investment portfolio, and I recently bought 200 more in my retail account since it opened up to buy on Robinhood. Since its debut in the retail trading app stage, it has leaped 104% in the last 4 weeks. This crypto surge is beginning to mimic that of the meme stock Gamestop in 2021. However, the bubble has not burst entirely; it is not too late to add XRP to your portfolio; at the bargain of a dollar, buy as much as you can while you can. 

XLM: While XRP is positioning itself for large, institutional bank-to-bank transactions, another player in the field is XLM, or Stellar Lumens, which focuses on smaller, person-to-person transfers. Created by Stellar, XLM is designed for everyday transactions between individuals. If XRP is the equivalent of a bank wire transfer, XLM is more like Venmo or PayPal, but on a global scale and without the limitations of the traditional banking system. XLM facilitates quick, low-cost individual transactions, making it ideal for remittances, micropayments, and other smaller-value transfers. Like XRP, XLM benefits from a fast and efficient blockchain, but its focus on individual users rather than large institutions gives it a different use case and potential market.

In addition to my 500 shares of XLM in my long-term investment portfolio, I also bought some in my Robinhood account, and boy, am I glad I did. Since XLM/Stella Lumens appeared on Robinhood, it has been booming along with its sister crypto XRP, up 138% in the last month! With its share price at a mere $0.23, traders are getting more bang for their buck investing in XLM.  For those who might be a little too late to gain as many shares as much as they may have wanted in XRP, there is still time to get on the Ripple train, as XLM is right on its heels. Traders would be prudent to act fast on this crypto before the media shines its spotlight on it and all hell breaks loose. 

DODGE: While Dodge might not appear as hot as Ripple’s creations at the current moment, traders looking at the bigger picture will know the opposite is true; you do not want to miss out on this one. Dogecoin has emerged as a fascinating phenomenon in the cryptocurrency landscape, capturing attention through its unique blend of simplicity and practical utility. While it began as a meme-inspired currency, its growing acceptance as a payment method, particularly for small transactions, has solidified its position in the digital economy. The cryptocurrency’s strength lies in its meager transaction costs, making it ideal for everyday purchases and microtransactions.

This efficiency has caught the eye of content creators and digital platforms seeking flexible payment solutions beyond traditional subscription models. What truly sets Dogecoin apart is its welcoming community culture, transforming what was once considered a joke into a serious contender in the digital payment space. 

Its accessibility and low entry barrier have made it particularly attractive to newcomers in the crypto space. At the same time, its practical applications continue to expand across various sectors, from online tipping to e-commerce transactions. Dodge is looking like how XRP was a couple of months ago, displaying movement but no crazy spikes. However, traders who look at its charts will notice it has jumped 240% in the last 3 months and 40% over the last year! Now trading at $0.39, climbing at a steady increase of around 5% each week. 

In conclusion, any trader can look at the charts and how the moving averages of these three blockchain-focused cryptocurrencies are sitting in the sweet spot right now, and likely will be for some time. But as we know, it won’t be too long until the flame burns too bright and people start to flock towards it; there is still time to get in while its embers rise. Whether you’re a retail or swing trader looking to make a quick profit or looking to hold onto these blockchains for your retirement, it will be your best decision all year.