3 Cryptocurrencies That Rose by More Than 100,000%

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The year 2017 will be remembered not for the stock market’s solid gains, but for the unprecedented explosion in the value of digital currencies. While traditional equities delivered respectable returns, cryptocurrencies shattered records—some by margins previously unseen in financial history.

At the close of 2016, the total market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies combined stood at just $17.7 billion. By December 26, 2017, that figure had surged to approximately $605 billion—a staggering increase of over 3,300%. This extraordinary growth wasn’t driven by a single asset alone, but by a wave of innovation, speculation, and growing public interest in blockchain technology.

Beyond Bitcoin: The Rise of Alternative Cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin, the original and largest cryptocurrency by market cap, often dominates headlines. It rose from around $967 at the start of 2017 to nearly $20,000 by year-end—an impressive gain of over 1,900%. Yet, while Bitcoin led the narrative, it was far from the top performer.

Many investors, eager to find the “next Bitcoin,” poured capital into lesser-known altcoins. This shift in focus fueled explosive growth in emerging digital assets—some of which delivered returns exceeding 100,000%. These weren’t minor fluctuations; they were generational surges that turned modest investments into life-changing sums.

👉 Discover how early movers identified high-potential cryptocurrencies before they exploded.

Three Cryptocurrencies That Surged Over 100,000% in 2017

While hundreds of cryptocurrencies gained traction in 2017, three stand out for their jaw-dropping performance. Each offered unique value propositions—from privacy enhancements to social integration and charitable missions—proving that utility and community can drive exponential growth.

Verge: Peak Gain of 1,581,942%

Verge (XVG) began 2017 as an obscure digital token valued at just $0.000019 per coin. By December 23, it reached a peak price of $0.300588—a surge of nearly 1.58 million percent.

This meteoric rise was fueled by growing demand for privacy coins. Unlike Bitcoin, where transactions are traceable through blockchain analysis, Verge leverages advanced anonymity networks like Tor and I2P to mask users’ IP addresses. Its Wraith Protocol allows seamless switching between public and private transaction ledgers, enhancing user control over privacy.

Additionally, Verge boasts transaction speeds averaging just five seconds, significantly faster than Bitcoin’s typical confirmation time. These technical advantages, combined with rising concerns over government surveillance and data privacy, positioned Verge as a top choice for privacy-focused investors.

Einsteinium: Peak Gain of 262,195%

Einsteinium (EMC2) climbed from $0.001098 at the end of 2016 to a high of $2.88 on December 7, 2017—an increase of 262,195%.

What sets Einsteinium apart is its mission-driven model. The Einsteinium Foundation allocates 2.5% of every block reward to fund scientific research, technological innovation, education, and blockchain development. Of this allocation, 80% supports scientific projects, while the remainder covers operational costs and donations.

In a bid to enhance scarcity and long-term value, the Foundation executed a hard fork in December 2017, reducing the maximum supply of EMC2 by 55 million coins—to a new cap of 245 million. This deflationary mechanism increased scarcity and investor confidence.

Furthermore, plans to shift to an ASIC-resistant, GPU-friendly mining algorithm aim to democratize mining access. By preventing large-scale mining operations from dominating the network, Einsteinium promotes decentralization and fairness—key principles in the crypto ethos.

Reddcoin: Peak Gain of 132,712%

Reddcoin (RDD) started 2017 at $0.000017 and peaked at $0.022578 on Christmas Day—an astonishing 132,712% increase. Its market cap ballooned from under $600,000 to nearly $650 million in less than a year.

Designed specifically for social media integration, Reddcoin enables microtransactions and tipping on platforms like Reddit, Twitter, and Twitch. Its Proof-of-Stake Velocity (PoSV) consensus mechanism rewards both ownership ("stake") and active participation ("velocity"), encouraging users to hold and use RDD regularly.

This focus on social engagement and content creator support resonated with younger audiences and digital communities. The platform’s decentralized tipping system allows fans to instantly reward creators with small amounts of RDD—fostering a new economy around online influence.

A major catalyst came on December 24 when John McAfee, a prominent crypto advocate, named Reddcoin his “coin of the day” on Twitter. His endorsement amplified visibility and triggered a surge in retail investor interest.

👉 See how social sentiment and influencer momentum can impact cryptocurrency valuations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Are these gains sustainable in the long term?
A: While these returns were extraordinary, they were largely driven by speculation and hype. Most assets experiencing such rapid growth face significant volatility and correction risks. Long-term sustainability depends on real-world adoption, technological development, and regulatory clarity.

Q: What makes a cryptocurrency qualify as a “privacy coin”?
A: Privacy coins like Verge use advanced encryption and network obfuscation (e.g., Tor, I2P) to hide transaction details such as sender, receiver, and amount. This contrasts with transparent blockchains like Bitcoin, where all transactions are publicly visible.

Q: How does Proof-of-Stake Velocity differ from traditional mining?
A: Unlike energy-intensive mining (Proof-of-Work), PoSV rewards users based on how many coins they hold and how actively they participate in the network. It’s more energy-efficient and encourages ongoing engagement rather than hardware investment.

Q: Can charitable or mission-based cryptocurrencies succeed financially?
A: Yes—projects like Einsteinium show that combining social impact with blockchain innovation can attract passionate communities and drive value. However, success still requires strong governance, transparency, and measurable outcomes.

Q: Why did so many altcoins outperform Bitcoin in 2017?
A: Bitcoin was already well-established and priced higher. Investors sought higher returns in lower-cap altcoins with perceived growth potential. FOMO (fear of missing out), coupled with narratives around niche utilities, accelerated capital flow into these emerging projects.

Core Keywords

While the astronomical rises of Verge, Einsteinium, and Reddcoin captured imaginations in 2017, they also serve as cautionary tales about volatility and speculative risk. For every success story, there are countless projects that failed to deliver.

👉 Learn how to evaluate high-potential cryptocurrencies with real utility and long-term vision.

The future of digital assets lies not just in price surges, but in solving real problems—whether through privacy, social connectivity, or philanthropy. As the market matures, investors who focus on fundamentals over frenzy will be best positioned for sustainable growth.