Top Cryptocurrencies for 2018: What Are the Best Alternatives to Bitcoin?

Important: This position should not be considered as an investment council. The author focuses on the best coins in terms of actual use and adoption, not from a financial or investment perspective.

In 2017, the cryptographic markets set a new standard for simple profits. Almost every piece or chip has made a remarkable return. “A rising tide floats all boats,” they say, and the end of 2017 was a flood. The rise in prices has created a positive feedback cycle, attracting more and more capital to Crypto. Unfortunately, but inevitably, this running market leads to a huge investment. Money was thrown indiscriminately into all sorts of dubious projects, many of which bore no fruit.

In the current bearish environment, hype and greed have been replaced by a critical assessment and caution. Especially for those who have lost money, sales promises, endless shillings, and charismatic oratorios are no longer enough. Well, the basic reasons to buy or hold a coin are Paramount once again.

Basic factors to evaluate a cryptocurrency-

There are a few factors that are likely to beat the hype and price bombs, at least in the long term:

Adoption angle

Even if the technology of a cryptocurrency or ICO business plan seems strange without users, these are dead projects. It is often forgotten that widespread acceptance is an important part of money. In fact, it is estimated that over 90% of Bitcoin’s value is a function of the number of users.

While acceptance of Fiat is mandated by the State, acceptance of cryptography is purely voluntary. Many factors play into the decision to accept a coin, but perhaps the most important consideration is the likelihood that others will accept the coin.

Security

Decentralization is essential for the I push Model of real cryptocurrency. Without decentralization, we have a little closer to a Ponzi scheme than a real cryptocurrency. Trust in individuals or institutions is the problem-a cryptocurrency is trying to solve.

If breaking a coin or a central controller changes the transaction record, it calls into question its fundamental security. The same applies to features with unproven code that hasn’t been fully tested in years. The more you can trust the code to work as described, regardless of human influence, the greater the security of a coin.

RENEWAL

Valid coins are trying to improve their technology, but not at the cost of safety. True technological progress is rare because it requires a lot of skill—and also intelligence. Although there are always fresh ideas that can be screwed, if doing so exposes weaknesses or critics of the original purpose of a coin, there is no point.

Innovation can be a difficult factor to evaluate, especially for non-technical users. However, if a currency code is stagnant or does not receive updates that address important issues, it can be a sign that the developers are weak in terms of ideas or motivation.

Incentives

The economic incentives inherent in a currency are easier to understand for the average person. If a coin has a large pre-mine or an ICO (initial share offer) the team has a large share of chips, then it is clear that the main motivation is profit. By buying what the team has to offer, you play your game and improve it. Be sure to provide a tangible and reliable value in return.

5 cryptocurrencies to buy in 2018

There is no better time to evaluate and balance a cryptographic portfolio. Based on their solid foundation, here are five pieces that I feel are worth holding on to or perhaps buying at their current depressive prices (which, just a warning, may drop).

#1. Bitcoin (because of its decentralization)

Number one belongs to Bitcoin (BTC), which remains the market leader in all categories. Bitcoin has the highest price, the widest speculation, the most security (due to the incredible energy consumption of Bitcoin mining), the most popular brand identity (the forks are trying to be relevant), and the most -progress Active and reasonable. It is also the only piece so far represented in traditional markets in the form of Bitcoin futures trading on the American CME and CBOE.

Bitcoin remains the leading engine; The performance of all other features is highly correlated with the performance of Bitcoin. My personal expectation is that the gap between Bitcoin and most—if not all—other sectors will widen.

Bitcoin has several promising innovations in the pipeline that will soon be installed as additional layers or soft forks. Examples are the Flash system (LN), the tree, Schnorr signatures Mimblewimbleund many more.

In particular, we plan to open a new range of applications for Bitcoin, because it allows for large-scale, microtransactions and immediate and safe payouts. LN is stronger as users test their various possibilities with real Bitcoin. As it becomes easier​​​​to use, it can be considered to benefit greatly from the adoption of Bitcoin.

#2. Litecoin (due to its continuity)

Litecoin (LTC) is a clone of Bitcoin with a different hash algorithm. Although Litecoin no longer has Bitcoin’s anonymity technology, recent reports indicate that Litecoin’s adoption of dark markets is now second only to bitcoin. Although a currency that I have is more suitable for the role of obtaining illegal goods and services, perhaps this presents itself as a result of the longevity of Litecoin: It was launched at the end of 2011 .

Another factor in Litecoin’s favor is that it integrates the Bitcoin SegWit technology, which means that Litecoin is prepared for LN. Litecoin will benefit from the atomic chain exchange. In other words, secure peer-to-peer trading of currencies without the involvement of a third party (ie exchange). Because Litecoin keeps its code largely synchronized with Bitcoin, it is well positioned to benefit from Bitcoin’s technical progress.

#3. Ethereum (because of smart contracts)

Ethereum (ETH) has some big problems at the moment. First of all, governments have cracked down on ICOs, and rightly so: many have turned out to be fraudulent or bankrupt. Since most of the ico run on the Ethereum network as ERC token 20, the ICO mania has brought a lot of value to Ethereum in recent years. If the appropriate rules are taken to protect investors Ethereum projects scams can gain a certain legitimacy as a crowdfunding platform.

The second major problem facing Ethereum is the delayed transition to the new hybrid work and battery detection system. Ethereum GPU mining is currently profitable, but Bitmain recently announced the Ethereum ASIC minor, which will likely have an impact on the bottom line of GPU miners. It remains to be seen whether this will change POW—and how successful this change will be.

If Ethereum survives these two major problems—regulation and mining—it will show great resilience. Otherwise, there are many competing currencies following its shadows, such as Ethereum Classic (etc), Cardano (ADA) and EOS.

#4. Monero (because of its anonymity)

Although its adoption in the dark markets is not all that can be expected, I (XMR) remains the privacy of the Prime Minister. Its reputation and market capitalization far exceed those of its rivals—and for good reason.

Monero’s code requires little trust that Zcash is a “loyal” key ceremony, and has a fair start, unlike Dash. That Monero recently changed its Pow to defeat the development of a small ASIC for its algorithm proves the piece’s commitment to the decentralization of mining. A significant decrease in the hash rate is due to the new version, which is often reported against ASIC. This could also be an opportunity for the GPU and even minor CPUs to come back to me. The new version of Monero, 0.12, also includes other improvements that show Monero continues to grow in sensitive lines.

#5. iPRONTO (A decentralized incubation platform)

iPRONTO is an Ethereum chain incubation platform dedicated to investors looking for a safe and reliable platform to invest in new ideas and future innovators who can present their ideas and receive opinions from of users, Experts in the field of practice and implementation of acquired ideas.

The ideas of innovators are supported while the NES in Smart Contract format is signed between the expert platform and the customer when the client’s business idea to the Committee for examination and registration of the platform. The idea will not be published for all users of the public chain platform, but only for selected members of the target community who are willing to sign the Smart contract to maintain the confidentiality of the idea.