While some digital assets have stood the test of time, others have tumbled below the thousands of new digital currencies that exist today.
Price of Bitcoin on Christmas Day
— CoinGecko (@coingecko) December 25, 2023
2023: $43,254
2022: $16,849
2021: $50,888
2020: $23,760
2019: $7,266
2018: $4,021
2017: $14,302
2016: $894
2015: $456
2014: $318
2013: $669
On Dec. 28, the total market capitalization for the crypto space stood at around $1.77 trillion, with Bitcoin (BTC $43,135) still leading the charge at $842 million. It’s followed by market leaders like Ether (ETH $2,401), BNB (BNB $332), and Solana (SOL $105), as well as stablecoins like Tether (USDT $1.00) and USD Coin (USDC $1.00). Projects like XRP (XRP $0.65), Cardano (ADA $0.648) and Avalanche (AVAX $41.92) are also in the top ten digital assets by market cap and have proved their resilience over the years. In addition, Lido Staked Ether (stETH), which represents staked ETH in the liquid staking protocol Lido and combines the value of the initial deposit and staking rewards, is also in the top ten.
Top 10 crypto assets by market capitalization on Dec. 28, 2023. Source: CoinGecko
On Dec. 28, 2013, the top ten tokens by market cap looked very different compared to today. A snapshot from coin data tracker CoinMarketCap shows that the total market cap for crypto was around $12 billion. BTC traded at $726.89, with a total market cap of $8.8 billion. This means that the digital asset has grown by almost 100 times since then.
Another token leading the charts ten years ago was Ripple, now known as XRP. A decade ago, the token followed BTC, taking the number two spot in market capitalization. The token traded at $0.027 with a market cap of $2.6 billion. The next token was Litecoin (LTC $77.20), which cost $22.66 at the time and had a $550 million market cap. Both coins had price appreciations and are still some of the most traded tokens today.
CoinMarketCap's top 10 tokens by market capitalization on Dec. 28, 2013. Source: The Wayback Machine
While the top three tokens have grown in price and total valuation, the same can't be said for the rest of the list. MasterCoin, now known as Omni, used to be in the top four, with a market cap of around $100 million. Today, the token is ranked 2337 at CoinGecko, with a total valuation of $1 million.
From the top five up to the top ten tokens a decade ago, the crypto assets have either fallen off into the ranks of thousands or have been delisted from coin-tracking websites altogether. Within the ranks, a token with the same name as Sam Altman’s Worldcoin (WLD) can be seen, but it had a different ticker, WDC. The token has no relation to today’s popular eye-scanning crypto project.
Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers.
Recommended Content
Editors’ Picks
XRP corrects as traders weigh possibility of SEC appealing Ripple ruling
Ripple (XRP) trades with minor losses on Friday as holders weigh the impact of a likely appeal by the US Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) in the Ripple lawsuit.
Bitcoin Weekly Forecast: $70,000 mark on sight as bulls remain strong
Bitcoin has risen around 3% so far this week, breaking above its range upper limit of $64,700. This gain was supported by increased institutional demand for ETFs, which recorded inflows of more than $612 million this week.
Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP steady above major support levels, Worldcoin leads AI token gains
Bitcoin, Ethereum trade above key supports at $65,000 and $2,600, as of Friday. XRP corrects slightly, holding steady above $0.5892. Worldcoin climbs 3% as Polymarket bet shows a 66% chance of OpenAI becoming a “for profit” entity before April.
Top 3 meme coins Dogecoin, Shiba Inu and Pepe: Rally continues
The prices of the top 3 meme coins by market capitalization, Dogecoin, Shiba Inu and Pepe, extend their gains on Friday after a rally on Thursday. The technical outlook for the three coins hints at further gains ahead as they all broke above bullish technical patterns.
Bitcoin Weekly Forecast: $70,000 mark on sight as bulls remain strong
Bitcoin (BTC) has risen around 3% so far this week, breaking above its range upper limit of $64,700.
Five best Forex brokers in 2024
VERIFIED Choosing the best Forex broker in 2024 requires careful consideration of certain essential factors. With the wide array of options available, it is crucial to find a broker that aligns with your trading style, experience level, and financial goals.