Market Crash Alert: Top Cryptocurrencies to Buy Now

Key Points

Bitcoin ETF inflows are showing signs of recovery, indicating that the largest cryptocurrency still enjoys strong institutional backing. Ethereum is currently the leading settlement layer for stablecoins and has a roadmap of seven upgrades planned through 2029. Solana’s impressive speed and low transaction fees give it a significant edge in the competitive crypto landscape.

The stock market has had a challenging year so far, with the S&P 500 down approximately 3% as of March 19. The crypto market has performed even worse, with Bitcoin losing 19% in 2026 alone. This decline continues a trend that began last October, and other major cryptocurrencies have seen even steeper losses. However, there is a silver lining: investing in cryptocurrency has become more affordable than it was a few months ago. With that in mind, let’s explore the best cryptocurrencies to consider if you want to buy the dip.

1. Bitcoin

Sometimes, simplicity is the best approach. In crypto investing, the simplest option is to buy Bitcoin. While it may not be the most advanced cryptocurrency or the platform of choice for launching decentralized finance (DeFi) projects or meme coins, its name recognition and size make it arguably the safest cryptocurrency investment.

The case for Bitcoin lies in its status as the largest digital asset, with a maximum supply of 21 million coins. Investors often purchase it as a store of value and for portfolio diversification. The supply cap ensures scarcity, which can drive demand over time.

Since the launch of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in 2024, institutional investors have gained easier access to the market. Bitcoin ETFs have seen a total net inflow of $56.7 billion, and they recently recorded seven consecutive days of net inflows. This marks the longest such streak since October and is a positive sign that Bitcoin continues to attract institutional support during this downturn.

2. Ethereum

Ethereum is also drawing attention from institutions, both as an investment and as a settlement layer. Approximately $165 billion in stablecoins are currently on Ethereum, making it the dominant blockchain for stablecoin usage. This includes Tether, USDC, PayPal USD, and Ripple USD. When JPMorgan Chase Asset Management launched its first tokenized money market fund in December, it chose the Ethereum blockchain.

Traditional finance is increasingly integrating with blockchain technology, as seen in the growth of stablecoins and tokenized real-world assets (RWAs). RWAs are digital tokens representing financial assets like stocks and ETFs. Ethereum has emerged as the most trusted blockchain for these purposes, hosting $15.5 billion in RWAs. The total RWA market is now worth $27.3 billion.

One of the main criticisms of Ethereum is its inefficiency compared to some competitors, with slower transaction processing and higher gas fees. However, the Ethereum Foundation has announced a long-term upgrade plan through 2029, including seven hard forks. These upgrades aim to increase Ethereum’s transaction capacity to 10,000 transactions per second (tps) and reduce transaction finality times from around 16 minutes to as little as eight seconds. If successful, these improvements could significantly boost Ethereum’s performance.

3. Solana

Solana is Ethereum’s primary competitor. Although it still lags behind in terms of market capitalization and total value locked (TVL), it excels in efficiency. It processes over 1,000 tps, with an average transaction fee of just $0.002 and a transaction finality time of only 13 seconds. These attributes make it fast and cost-effective, which are crucial for attracting users and developers.

Solana has become a popular choice for RWAs, with nearly $2 billion in value. It was also chosen by Visa as the settlement layer for its U.S. stablecoin initiative. While Ethereum and Solana operate in similar spaces, both are worth considering for a crypto portfolio. They could either succeed independently or coexist, much like Visa and Mastercard.

Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana are my top choices for cryptocurrency investments. However, the market remains highly volatile. Even though this may seem like a solid buying opportunity, it’s important to avoid allocating too much of your portfolio to crypto. A small allocation is sufficient and helps limit potential downside risk.

Should You Buy Stock in Bitcoin Right Now?

Before deciding to invest in Bitcoin, consider the following:

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