...And What They Do Besides "Go Up" or "Crash Dramatically at 2am"

🤷 Why Should I Care?

Because not all cryptos are created equal. Some aim to replace banks, some run apps, some are for payments — and some are... well, memes.

This page is your beginner-friendly cheat sheet to the biggest names in crypto.

🚨 Disclaimer: This is not financial advice. Always DYOR (Do Your Own Research), and never invest more than you can afford to lose. Crypto is exciting… but it’s also risky.

🪙 1. Bitcoin (BTC)

Launched: 2009
What it does: The OG. A decentralised digital currency designed to be peer-to-peer and trustless.
Known for: Being the first, limited supply (21M BTC), store of value ("digital gold")
2030 Outlook: Many analysts predict BTC could range from $150k to over $500k, depending on adoption and ETF growth. It’s still seen as a long-term hold with massive potential.

🔥 2. Ethereum (ETH)

Launched: 2015
What it does: A smart contract platform where apps and tokens can live.
Known for: Powering DeFi, NFTs, DAOs, and being the foundation for thousands of tokens.
2030 Outlook: Ethereum 2.0 scaling could push it to $10k–$20k range, depending on gas fees and adoption in finance.

🧠 3. Chainlink (LINK)

Launched: 2017
What it does: Connects smart contracts to real-world data via oracles.
Known for: Being essential infrastructure for DeFi and data-driven crypto projects.
2030 Outlook: If adoption continues, projections range from $100 to $500+.

🪴 4. Cardano (ADA)

Launched: 2017
What it does: A proof-of-stake blockchain focused on sustainability, scalability, and academic research.
Known for: Slow and steady development, heavy academic review.
2030 Outlook: Could range from $5–$10+, depending on dApp ecosystem growth.

🧬 5. Solana (SOL)

Launched: 2020
What it does: High-speed blockchain for apps, NFTs, and DeFi.
Known for: Super low fees, high throughput (but has had outages).
2030 Outlook: If it can maintain uptime and expand ecosystem, SOL could be worth $300–$1,000+.

🧊 6. Avalanche (AVAX)

Launched: 2020
What it does: Smart contract platform with high speed and subnets for custom chains.
Known for: Customisation, low latency, and being used in institutional blockchain tech.
2030 Outlook: Could reach $150–$500 range, depending on RWA and subnet adoption.

💬 7. Polygon (MATIC)

Launched: 2017 (as Matic Network)
What it does: A scaling solution for Ethereum, offering faster and cheaper transactions.
Known for: Working with major brands like Disney and Reddit.
2030 Outlook: If Ethereum thrives, MATIC could grow to $5–$20 per token.

🌎 8. Worldcoin (WLD)

Launched: 2023
What it does: Biometric identity + crypto UBI project.
Known for: Scanning eyeballs and stirring up privacy debates.
2030 Outlook: Wildcard. Could crash or soar to $10–$100+ if digital ID becomes the norm. Given that it's Sam Altman's (OpenAi) other project, it will probably stick around.

🧪 9. Render (RENDER)

Launched: 2020
What it does: Decentralised GPU rendering for 3D, metaverse, and AI applications.
Known for: Connecting artists with unused GPU power.
2030 Outlook: With AI growth, projections range from $25–$100+.

🏦 10. Ondo (ONDO)

Launched: 2022
What it does: Brings Real World Assets (RWAs) like treasury bonds on-chain.
Known for: Being at the forefront of tokenised finance.
2030 Outlook: If RWAs take off, could hit $5–$20+, or even higher if it becomes the default in RWA tokenisation. RWA's are looking like the future of crypto, and Ondo is a huge player.

🎁 Bonus Mentions:

💸 XRP (XRP)

Launched: 2012
What it does: XRP is designed for super-fast, low-cost cross-border payments — basically, the SWIFT system but without the fax machines and delays. It's used by banks and financial institutions to transfer money globally in seconds.
Known for: Being sued by the SEC (and mostly surviving it), and having one of the most passionate fanbases in crypto.
2030 Outlook: If regulatory clarity comes and banks actually start using it at scale, XRP could reach $5–$10+. It is hard to speculate the outcome on this coin, because of their legal battle. It could have huge potential, we have to wait and see.

🧠 Aethir (ATH)

Launched: 2023
What it does: Aethir provides decentralised GPU cloud computing, helping run AI and gaming tasks by linking idle GPUs around the world.
Known for: Partnering with major AI and gaming projects; it’s one of the newer players in “dePIN” (decentralised physical infrastructure).
2030 Outlook: If AI explodes and decentralised infra keeps growing, ATH could climb to $3–$15+.

🎮 Beam (BEAM)

Launched: 2023 (on the Merit Circle network)
What it does: Focuses on building Web3 gaming infrastructure — kind of like the gaming "backbone" for the blockchain space.
Known for: Supporting multiple games and having a massive gaming treasury behind it.
2030 Outlook: If blockchain gaming goes mainstream, Beam could hit $1–$10. 

🕵️ Arkham (ARKM)

Launched: 2023
What it does: Arkham is like the on-chain Sherlock Holmes. It provides blockchain intelligence, tracking wallet activity and deanonymizing wallets using AI.
Known for: Stirring controversy by selling intelligence data on wallet holders — but also providing powerful tools for transparency.
2030 Outlook: If governments and institutions use it, ARKM could be valued at $5–$10+.

🧪 Morpho (MORPHO)

Launched: 2023
What it does: A decentralised lending and borrowing protocol built on Ethereum — kind of like Aave or Compound, but with unique “Optimised Lending Pools” to improve interest rates.
Known for: Clever DeFi engineering and efficient on-chain lending.
2030 Outlook: If DeFi rebounds in popularity, Morpho could hit $5–$20+.

✈️ Aero (AERO)

Launched: 2023
What it does: AERO is a DeFi platform with an emphasis on decentralised exchanges (DEXs) and liquidity — powering fast, low-cost swaps on emerging blockchains.
Known for: Strong TVL growth and building on newer chain ecosystems.
2030 Outlook: If it cements itself in the DeFi space, AERO might reach $2–$10 or more.

🚀 Final Thoughts

Coins and tokens are everywhere — but these projects stand out because of:

Real-world use

Tech innovation

Ecosystem potential

Adoption and partnerships

But as always, projections are guesses — crypto moves fast, and the only guarantee is change. 👀

Time to move on to stablecoins & risks.