The dust has begun to settle after the recent cryptocurrency market downturn, and investors are now positioning themselves for the next potential bull run. With several promising digital assets trading at historically low prices, this could be an ideal entry point for savvy investors looking to build exposure ahead of the next cycle. In this guide, we highlight five of the best cryptocurrencies under $1 that show strong long-term potential—offering a compelling mix of innovation, resilience, and upside opportunity for those willing to navigate the volatile world of digital assets.
The crypto market in 2023 was nothing short of a rollercoaster—featuring sharp rallies followed by even steeper corrections. Despite this turbulence, the total cryptocurrency market cap climbed from $760 billion at the start of the year to over $1.14 trillion, reflecting a gain of more than 50%. However, this growth hasn't been evenly distributed.
Bitcoin and Ethereum continue to dominate, collectively accounting for over 60% of the total market capitalization. Meanwhile, many smaller altcoins have struggled due to regulatory pressure—particularly from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)—leading to weaker performance across much of the broader market.
Yet within this challenging environment, several undervalued projects have emerged with strong fundamentals and renewed momentum. Let’s explore the top five cryptocurrencies under $1 worth considering for your portfolio.
5 Harmony (ONE)
Harmony is a high-throughput, low-latency blockchain platform designed to power the next generation of decentralized applications and digital economies. Its focus on sharding technology and cross-chain interoperability positions it as a potential game-changer in the evolving Web3 landscape.
Currently trading well below $1, ONE has seen its price decline over recent months. However, technical indicators suggest a possible reversal is forming. A recent uptick in price action and on-chain activity hints at accumulating interest from long-term investors.
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If broader market sentiment turns bullish, Harmony’s scalable infrastructure could attract developer attention and user adoption—potentially driving significant price appreciation. While still facing challenges in visibility and ecosystem growth, its low valuation makes it an intriguing speculative play.
Key Features:
- Sharded consensus for high scalability
- Cross-chain bridges to Ethereum, Binance Chain, and others
- Low transaction fees and fast finality
Harmony’s vision aligns with growing demand for efficient, interoperable blockchains—making it one to watch in the sub-$1 category.
4 Stellar (XLM)
Stellar is a decentralized blockchain network built to facilitate fast, low-cost cross-border payments. Its native token, Stellar Lumens (XLM), has gained traction among financial institutions and remittance services due to its efficiency and reliability.
Since early 2023, XLM has surged over 40%, climbing from around $0.07 to above $0.10—even amid broader market declines. This resilience highlights strong underlying fundamentals and sustained confidence from its user base.
With partnerships spanning payment providers like MoneyGram and integration into various fintech platforms, Stellar continues to deliver real-world utility. As global interest in blockchain-based payment solutions grows, XLM is well-positioned to benefit.
Why XLM Stands Out:
- Designed for institutional and cross-border use
- Energy-efficient consensus mechanism
- Active development and corporate collaborations
While not as flashy as some newer DeFi tokens, Stellar’s focus on practical application gives it staying power in uncertain markets.
3 Cardano (ADA)
Cardano is a third-generation blockchain platform focused on security, scalability, and sustainability through peer-reviewed research and layered architecture. Its native token, ADA, remains one of the most widely held altcoins despite trading under $1 for much of 2023.
After a strong start to the year, ADA pulled back along with the broader market but has since stabilized above $0.28. Given Cardano’s robust technical foundation and ongoing ecosystem development—including smart contract functionality and DeFi expansion—many analysts believe ADA is poised for a strong rebound during the next bull phase.
Historically, ADA reached nearly $1 during the 2021 bull run. With increased dApp deployment and institutional interest returning to proof-of-stake networks, a retest of that level is not out of the question.
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Advantages of Cardano:
- Scientific approach to development
- Strong academic backing
- Low energy consumption compared to older blockchains
For investors seeking a balance between innovation and stability, ADA offers a compelling value proposition under $1.
2 Polygon (MATIC)
Polygon started as an Ethereum layer-2 scaling solution but has evolved into a full-fledged multi-chain system supporting various scaling technologies. MATIC, its native token, plays a crucial role in staking, governance, and transaction fee payments across the network.
In early 2023, MATIC traded around $0.75 and briefly rose 60% before falling victim to market-wide sell-offs and regulatory scrutiny after being named in an SEC lawsuit. This caused a drop to $0.52—but the price has since recovered and stabilized near $0.68.
Despite short-term headwinds, Polygon’s technology remains highly relevant. With Ethereum’s continued congestion and high gas fees, scalable solutions like Polygon are essential for mass adoption of decentralized apps.
Why Polygon Matters:
- Seamless integration with Ethereum
- Support for multiple scaling frameworks (zkRollups, sidechains)
- Growing number of dApps and NFT projects using its network
As Ethereum upgrades progress and demand for scalable infrastructure increases, MATIC could see renewed momentum.
1 Tron (TRX)
Tron stands out as the top pick among cryptocurrencies under $1 due to its strong performance, active user base, and resilience during market downturns. Founded with the goal of decentralizing digital entertainment and content sharing, TRX has evolved into one of the most widely used blockchains for stablecoin transactions and decentralized finance.
In 2023, TRX demonstrated impressive strength—rising over 50% from年初 levels to reach $0.08 despite adverse market conditions. Technical charts suggest further upside potential, with a breakout past $0.10 appearing increasingly likely.
Tron processes billions of dollars in stablecoin transfers monthly—surpassing even Ethereum in some metrics—which underscores its real-world utility and adoption.
Key Strengths of Tron:
- High transaction throughput (up to 2,000 TPS)
- Dominant role in USDT transfers
- Free transactions and developer incentives
With favorable on-chain metrics and growing institutional usage, TRX presents a high-conviction opportunity under $1.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Are cryptocurrencies under $1 good investments?
A: Price alone doesn’t determine value. Many sub-$1 cryptos have strong use cases and growth potential. However, they often come with higher risk due to volatility and speculative nature. Always conduct thorough research before investing.
Q: Can any of these coins reach $1 or higher?
A: Yes—especially ADA, MATIC, and XLM—which have previously traded above $1. TRX may also approach that level if current momentum continues.
Q: Why invest in low-priced cryptos?
A: Lower-priced assets can offer higher percentage gains if adoption increases. They’re also more accessible for small investors looking to diversify.
Q: Is now a good time to buy?
A: Market conditions suggest we may be nearing a bottom after prolonged correction. Dollar-cost averaging into fundamentally sound projects can be a prudent strategy.
Q: How do I store these cryptocurrencies safely?
A: Use reputable hardware wallets or trusted non-custodial software wallets. Never share your private keys or seed phrases.
Q: What risks should I consider?
A: Regulatory changes, technological obsolescence, low liquidity, and market manipulation are all potential risks. Diversification helps mitigate exposure.
Final Thoughts: Building a Resilient Portfolio
The cryptocurrency landscape is evolving rapidly—offering both immense opportunity and significant risk. As 2023 demonstrated, some projects thrive even in bearish conditions while others falter under pressure.
Diversifying across multiple high-potential assets under $1—including Harmony (ONE), Stellar (XLM), Cardano (ADA), Polygon (MATIC), and Tron (TRX)—can help spread risk while positioning you for outsized gains when the next bull market arrives.
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Remember: only invest what you can afford to lose. Stay informed, monitor market trends, and make decisions based on solid research—not hype.
By focusing on projects with real utility, strong teams, and growing ecosystems, you increase your chances of long-term success in the dynamic world of cryptocurrency investing.
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