Bitcoin is the best-performing asset this century, let alone a successful blockchain project. It started as a fraction of a penny, which early crypto investors only gave to ninth-place eSports teams as a joke to show them how valueless the token was.

Now it’s worth $80,000 with targets to reach $200,00 by year’s end. 

Here’s the rub: Instead of analyzing low-quality blockchain projects, sometimes it’s best to invest in blue-chip projects. Let’s examine the top three most important cryptocurrencies in the blockchain ecosystem.

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Blockchain Project #1: Bitcoin (BTC)

Can there be any debate as to which cryptocurrency is the most important? 

Bitcoin is the oldest, most respected, most valuable, and most popular cryptocurrency, and no other token even comes close. Simply put, Bitcoin is the undisputed king of the crypto market.

“I’m long bitcoin because I’m long humanity.” — Gigi, posted on Nostr pic.twitter.com/OBq6bYJQzE

— Walker (@WalkerAmerica) February 20, 2025

In 2009, Bitcoin was created by an anonymous individual addressing himself as Satoshi Nakamoto. Although Bitcoin is highly valuable now (towering above $80,000), at its release, only a handful of people took it seriously. Satoshi believed that if enough people noticed Bitcoin, then its potential to usurp gold or even the dollar was inevitable.

“It might make sense just to get some in case it catches on. If enough people think the same way, that becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.”-Satoshi Nakamoto

Bitcoin is generational wealth. It remains a superb crypto with superb technological fundamentals. It is highly decentralized, extremely secure, and fully immune to inflation, making it the world’s most popular crypto investment.

Blockchain Projects #2: Ethereum (ETH)

Ethereum was the first crypto project to utilize smart contracts en masse. Without Ethereum, there would be no DeFi, no NFTs, no crypto video games, and nearly half of the altcoins on the market would be wiped out. Ethereum is the lynchpin for the entire cryptocurrency ecosystem.

“Bitcoin is great as a form of digital money, but its scripting language is too weak for any kind of serious advanced applications to be built on top.” – Vitalik Buterin, creator of Ethereum.

The value of the Ethereum currency grew by over 13,000% in 2017. In 2021, Ethereum hit its all-time high of $4,380. However, is Ethereum’s work more valuable than Bitcoin? Many experts, including Goldman Sachs analysts, say yes. 

While many competitors have appeared over the years, Ethereum still remains the most popular altcoin on the market. Moreover, because it constantly evolves and expands to keep up with the competition, it won’t be easy for another project to surpass its popularity.

Blockchain Projects #3: Ripple (XRP)

Ripple is one of the most controversial coins in the crypto ecosystem. 

While other cryptocurrencies usually try to be decentralized, XRP was the first centralized corporate crypto to gain massive popularity. 

JUST IN: Brad Garlinghouse at the White House crypto summit!

Bullish #XRP pic.twitter.com/fMOUNnERvs

— Amonyx (@amonbuy) March 4, 2025

XRP brands itself as banking’s go-to crypto, aiming to make transactions smooth and secure, but it was written off for dead during the Biden administration when the coin lost half its value twice—December 2020 and May 2021.

Ripple Labs’ legal battles sparked doubts about XRP’s survival, but the narrative is shifting. XRP remains hard to ignore in the crypto ecosystem and is technically advanced and still a key player.

Each of these cryptocurrencies tackles a unique problem, yet they dominate the current landscape of pivotal blockchain projects.

EXPLORE: XRP Price Jumps 11% After SEC Crypto Unit Tease XRP ETF Progress

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