Top 5 Altcoins You Should Consider Alongside Avalanche (AVAX)

2024 was marked as the second-best ever trading year for crypto, as trading volume hit $18.4 Trillion. However, it is worthy of note that Ethereum, the primary altcoin, keeps losing its market share; from a whooping 31% in 2017, to barely 7% in 2025. This signifies that Altcoin interest has diversified, and newer Altcoins like AVAX, the native token of the Avalanche network, has gained ground.

There’s no doubt AVAX ranks among the top altcoins with over $9.1 billion in market cap. Still, relying too heavily on a single asset—especially in crypto—isn’t the smartest move.

So, if you’ve already bagged Avalanche (AVAX); this article explores five (5) other altcoins worth exploring, so you can have better balance in your portfolio.

Let’s dive in!

What Are Altcoins?

Altcoins (short for alternative coins) refer to any cryptocurrency that isn’t Bitcoin. Think of Bitcoin as the OG — the one that started it all. Every other coin that came after it, trying to improve on Bitcoin or serve a different purpose, falls into the “altcoin” category.

Some popular types of altcoins include:

• Smart Contract Platforms – Like Ethereum, Solana, and Cardano, which power dApps and DeFi.
• Stablecoins – Like USDT or USDC, designed to maintain a stable value.
• Utility Tokens – Like Chainlink (LINK), used within specific ecosystems.
• Governance Tokens – Like Uniswap (UNI), allowing holders to vote on project decisions.
• Meme Coins – Like Dogecoin and Pepe, often driven by community hype.
  

There are over 10,000 altcoins in existence (and counting), each offering different features, use cases, and investment potential. While some are legit game-changers, others are just vibes — which is why it’s crucial to research before investing.

What Makes an Altcoin Worth Investing In?

Developers create altcoins for different purposes. Some tackle real-world problems with practical use cases, while others ride on trends, memes, or community culture.

We evaluated the five altcoins below based on these criteria:

• Strong use case: Coins solving real problems or offering unique features — not just hype.
• Active developer ecosystem: A growing dev community usually means continuous upgrades, security improvements, and ecosystem growth.
• Security and decentralization: Is the network robust enough for users and developers to trust?
• Scalability: Can the blockchain handle growth without breaking down or slowing up?
• Community & adoption: A strong, loyal community can make or break a coin’s long-term success.
• Performance in 2024: Market traction matters. These coins have gained attention this past year for a reason.

See also: What is A Blockchain

Top 5 Altcoins You Should Consider In 2025

1. Solana (SOL)
   Solana was one of the biggest Altcoins in 2024 alongside AVAX. Known for its lightning-fast transactions and low fees, Solana now powers a thriving DeFi and NFT ecosystem. It processed more daily transactions than any other L1 chain outside Ethereum last year.

Why SOL stands out: Blazing speed, meme coin mania, and growing dev support despite past controversies.

2. Sui (SUI)
   Sui is attracting attention with its unique parallel transaction execution and user-centric design. It exploded in popularity among altcoins in 2024, thanks to rising DeFi activity and gameFi integrations.

How SUI stands out: Smooth UX, ultra-fast processing, and a rapidly growing user base.

3. Cosmos (ATOM)
   Cosmos isn’t always trending, but its mission to create an internet of blockchains is becoming more relevant. The adoption of its IBC protocol grew in 2024, making it a backbone for many emerging DeFi and appchain projects.

Why ATOM stands out: Cross-chain functionality, underrated performance, and steady ecosystem growth.

4. Arbitrum (ARB)

As an Ethereum Layer 2 solution, Arbitrum continued to dominate the rollup space in 2024. It processed billions in DeFi volume, fueled by ecosystem grants and new project launches.

Why ARB stands out: Ethereum-level security, scalability, and DeFi momentum.

5. Optimism (OP)
   Optimism also had a breakout year in 2024, with its OP Stack being used to power networks like Coinbase’s Base. It’s evolving into more than just a rollup — it’s a modular movement.

Why OP stands out: Strong dev ecosystem, major partnerships, and scalable infrastructure.

How to Buy and Store Altcoins Safely

If you’ve decided on an Altcoin to invest in, whether from this list, or another one you have in mind, the next step is to purchase it and watch it grow.

Here’s how to buy and store your coins without stress:

Choose a Reputable Exchange:

First, find an exchange where your chosen altcoin is listed. Use platforms like CoinMarketCap or CoinGecko to verify listings, trading volume, and liquidity.

Solana markets

For example, consider the image above — a screengrab of Solana’s (SOL) active markets on coinmarketcap. Hence, if you want to buy SOL, you can see at a glance, the exchanges that have SOL listed, their liquidity, and trading volume.

It is important to pick a platform with high liquidity and trading volume, as this means your transactions can be completed speedily, and without hassle. Platforms that generally have high liquidity for a wide range of cryptocurrencies include Binance, Coinbase, OKX, and ByBit.

Log in to Your Account and Complete KYC Verification

After selecting your desired platform, you need to sign up for an account, or login if you already have one. If it’s your first time on the platform, you will be required to complete KYC verification by uploading your ID and proof of address. This keeps your account secure and compliant with local regulations.

Deposit Some Funds

After this, you’ll be required to deposit funds, this could be done in several ways, depending on the platform chosen, and your region. Many exchanges offer credit card, PayPal, and other options to customers in Europe, and some parts of Africa, but for Nigeria and Ghana, P2P is the most popular route.

See Also: How To Avoid P2P Trading Scams In Nigeria

Ensure that you deposit funds in stablecoins like USDT, as this allows you to access numerous trading pairs. Also ensure that the funds deposited are moved from your funding account to your trading account, so you can easily access it for trades.

Buy Your Desired Altcoin On The Spot Market

Locate “spot market” on the exchange. This could be under the “Trade” tab “or “Markets” tab, depending on the exchange. It is always very easy to locate.

Under the order types, you’ll find a lot of options like Limit, Market, TP/SL, etc. You may choose the market option as a beginner; this option ensures that you buy crypto at the best market rate available, and it gets executed immediately.

Transfer To A Non-custodial wallet

If you plan to HODL long-term, think twice before using centralized exchanges—hackers could target them and put your funds at risk.

So, you could withdraw your coins to non-custodial wallets like Trust wallet, Phantom wallet, Solflare, MetaMask, etc.

Maintain Security Protocols

Ensure that your non-custodial wallet’s seed phrase is kept secret and no one has access to it except you. Also, wherever necessary, use strong passwords and two-factor authentication, to keep your crypto safe.

Learn more about: Selling Bitcoin on Centralized Exchanges

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) On Altcoin Investments

1. Are Altcoins Better Than Bitcoin?

No—altcoins tend to carry more risk due to lower adoption, newer tech, and sometimes questionable utility. Bitcoin, on the other hand, is battle-tested and more stable. However, it is worth noting that due to their relatively low market cap, investing early in an Altcoin could yield massive returns, way more than Bitcoin.

2. Which altcoins will explode in 2025?

SUI is dubbed as the Solana killer, and is predicted to do well in 2025, alongside other altcoins like AVAX, SUI, APTOS, etc.. However, hype does not equal guaranteed returns, and it is advisable that you do your own research, and have a conviction of your own before going all in.

3. Which crypto should I buy today for the long term?

If you’re playing the long game, consider a mix of solid projects with real-world utility and strong ecosystems. Bitcoin should always be first on your list, and it should ideally take a chunk of your portfolio. You can also mix this with Altcoins like Avax, Solana, Ethereum, etc.

4. How much of my portfolio should be in altcoins?

This totally depends on your risk appetite. A conservative approach might be 70% BTC, 30% altcoins. If you’re more aggressive, you can tilt more toward alts—but know the risks. However, BTC is generally the safer bet.

See also: Strategies for a Cumulative Crypto Investment Portfolio

5. Can I lose all my money with altcoins?

Absolutely. Crypto, especially Altcoin investments come with high risk. Prices can tank, projects can fail or get exploited. Always store tokens securely and avoid investing more than you can afford to lose.

Wrapping Up

Altcoins can open doors to exciting opportunities beyond Bitcoin, but they come with their own set of risks. Doing your homework, understanding the project, and managing your risk are key to navigating this fast-moving space.

When you’re ready to take profits or convert your altcoins back to cash, you can rely on Breet to quickly and easily turn crypto into Naira or Cedi — no stress, no hassle.

N.B.: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research and consult a professional before investing.