While big names like
#Bitcoin and
#Ethereum capture the headlines, savvy crypto investors know that incredible opportunities can often be found in more affordable assets. Weāre not talking about purely speculative, high-risk cheap crypto, but established projects with proven technology and significant market caps that just happen to trade for under $1.
The āUnder $1ā category is compelling because it offers an accessible entry point into projects with strong fundamentals and a clear vision for the future. As institutional adoption grows and blockchains process more transactions than ever, many of these platforms are positioned for significant growth.
This article will analyze the first 5 notable cryptocurrencies trading under $1 that have compelling catalysts making them worth watching in 2025. Weāll explore their technology, use cases, and the risks you need to consider.
The First 5 Cheap Crypto Under $1
From the original meme coin to powerhouse enterprise solutions, this list showcases the diversity and potential of the sub-one-dollar crypto market.
Dogecoin (
$DOGE )
The original meme coin, Dogecoin, is a decentralized, peer-to-peer digital currency that enables online transactions. What started as a joke has evolved into a crypto mainstay with one of the most powerful and recognizable communities.
The price of 1 DOGE is currently around $0.2.
Why DOGE Dogecoinās strength lies in its simplicity and massive brand recognition. With ongoing discussions about its potential integration into X (formerly Twitter) for payments and a passionate community that consistently drives its relevance, DOGE remains a cultural and financial force.Key Differentiators: Unparalleled brand awareness and a massive, highly active community. Its proof-of-work consensus is simple and proven.Potential Risks: Its development is slower than many other projects, and its value is heavily influenced by social media trends and celebrity endorsements, leading to extreme volatility.
Cardano (
$ADA )
Cardano is a proof-of-stakeblockchain platform with a mission to provide a more secure and sustainable ecosystem for decentralized applications (dApps). It is known for its research-driven, peer-reviewed development methodology.
The price of 1 ADA is currently around $0.65.
Why ADA? The 2025 crypto market is prioritizing energy-efficient and scalable solutions, placing Cardano in a strong position. Its ecosystem of dApps is steadily growing, and its focus on scalability and governance continues to attract developers. Despite being ranked lower than some competitors in specific metrics, it maintains a top-tier overall market ranking, underscoring its large valuation and investor confidence.Key Differentiators: An academic, research-first approach to development. A strong focus on sustainability and a clear roadmap for on-chain governance.Potential Risks: Its methodical, peer-reviewed approach means development can be slower than competitors. It faces intense competition from other Layer-1 blockchains.
Algorand (
$ALGO )
#Algorand is a high-performance blockchain platform founded by Turing Award-winning cryptographer Silvio Micali. It utilizes a unique āPure Proof-of-Stakeā (PPoS) consensus mechanism to deliver fast, low-cost, and scalable transactions.
The price of 1 ALGO is currently around $0.19.
Why ALGO? Algorand is built for the world of institutional finance. Its carbon-neutral status, high throughput, and immediate transaction finality make it an attractive platform for DeFi, digital securities, and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). As traditional finance continues to merge with crypto, Algorandās enterprise-grade infrastructure is poised for adoption.Key Differentiators: Its PPoS mechanism solves the āblockchain trilemmaā (security, scalability, decentralization) in a unique way. It boasts institutional-grade performance and a carbon-neutral footprint.Potential Risks: While technologically advanced, it has struggled to gain the same level of developer and user adoption as chains like Ethereum or Solana.
Arbitrum ($ARB)
#Arbitrum is a leading Layer-2 (L2) scaling solution for Ethereum. It bundles transactions off-chain, processes them, and then posts the results back to the Ethereum mainnet, allowing users to benefit from Ethereumās security with much lower fees and higher speeds.
The price of 1 ARB is currently around $0.33.
Why ARB? As Ethereum continues to be the dominant smart contract platform, the need for effective scaling solutions like Arbitrum is critical. It hosts a vibrant and growing ecosystem of DeFi and gaming applications. Analysts identify it as a leading project in L2 scaling, with a strong outlook for future growth and adoption in the push for a more scalable crypto infrastructure.Key Differentiators: Full compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), a massive and active ecosystem, and a clear lead in Layer-2 adoption metrics.Potential Risks: It faces intense competition from a growing number of other Layer-2 solutions. Its current ranking is below some Layer-1s like Cardano, indicating it still has ground to gain in overall market valuation.
Hedera ($HBAR)
#Hedera is not a traditional blockchain but a public network that uses a āhashgraphā consensus mechanism. It aims to provide a faster, fairer, and more secure platform for decentralized applications.
The price of 1 HBAR is currently around $0.17.
Why HBAR? Hedera is built for enterprise adoption. Its unique governance model, a council that includes giants like Google and IBM, positions it as a reliable and scalable network for serious business applications. The growing demand for stablecoins and enterprise-grade hashgraph adoption are key growth drivers for 2025, making HBAR a standout project.Key Differentiators: The hashgraph consensus mechanism offers incredibly high speeds and low-cost transactions. Its governance by a council of world-leading organizations provides unparalleled credibility.Potential Risks: The hashgraph technology is more complex and less understood than blockchain. The governing council model raises concerns about potential centralization compared to fully open-source projects.
Low-Cost Cryptocurrency: A Market of Fundamentals and Opportunity
The āUnder $1ā crypto category is far more than just a collection of cheap tokens. It represents a diverse landscape of innovation, from established Layer-1s like Cardano and Algorand to critical infrastructure like Arbitrum and enterprise-focused networks like Hedera.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. The cryptocurrency market is extremely volatile and carries a high degree of risk. Always conduct your own thorough research and consult a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
Look out for the remaining List of the āUnder $1ā best to invest in my next post.
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