When it comes to mainstream virtual currencies globally, most people's first reaction is Bitcoin. Indeed, it is not only the highest market cap digital asset but also the foundation of the entire industry. However, besides "the big coin," there are several other currencies that stand out due to their unique technologies and application scenarios. The following few basically represent the current mainstream landscape of the crypto world.
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Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH): The Two Cornerstones
Bitcoin is known as "digital gold," with a fixed total supply of 21 million coins. This scarcity, combined with its decentralized nature, makes it a long-term holding choice for many people against inflation. Its network security has been validated over nearly twenty years and is currently the most recognized crypto asset among institutional investors. Ethereum, on the other hand, is not just a currency; it is a platform that supports smart contracts and decentralized applications (DApps). Most of the popular fields like DeFi and NFTs are built on the Ethereum ecosystem. Although transaction fees can sometimes be high, the widespread adoption of Layer 2 technology is improving this issue.
Stablecoins and High-Performance Public Chains: Representatives of Liquidity and Speed
Stablecoins like Tether (USDT), which are pegged to the US dollar, are the most important bridge in crypto trading. Over seventy percent of trading pairs are priced in it, providing the market with much-needed stability and liquidity. High-performance public chains like Solana (SOL) focus on transaction speed and low costs. It can process a large number of transactions per second, attracting many high-frequency traders and developers, and is referred to as one of the "Ethereum killers." Although there have been brief network interruption issues in the past, its technology iteration is rapid.
Ecosystem Tokens and Cross-Chain Projects: Expanding Blockchain Boundaries
Binance Coin (BNB) was initially an exchange token but has now developed into a core asset of an independent public chain. It is not only used to pay trading fees but also supports a vast DeFi and GameFi ecosystem. Polkadot (DOT) aims to enable communication between different blockchains. Through the design of "relay chains + parallel chains," it attempts to solve the isolation problem within the industry and achieve true cross-chain interoperability. Cardano (ADA) emphasizes development driven by academic research, focusing on code security and sustainability, with a relatively steady upgrade pace.
That's basically it. From value storage to technology platforms, and then to stable tools and ecosystem expansion, these mainstream currencies each play different roles. Understanding their core positioning is more meaningful than simply focusing on price fluctuations.