Guide to All 35+ Cryptocurrencies Available with IG
IG now offers over 35+ cryptocurrencies via its partnership with Uphold, providing you with access to a wide spectrum of blockchain technologies, use cases, and communities.
How do cryptocurrencies differ?
Cryptocurrencies serve various purposes with different risk levels:
- Store of Value coins: More established with relatively stable use cases
- Web3/AI/Functional coins: Exposure to innovative technologies with growth potential
- Meme coins: Higher volatility with fewer practical applications
Understanding these categories can help you make more informed decisions about your cryptocurrency investments, helping you build a portfolio that matches your risk tolerance.
What are the major cryptocurrencies?
Bitcoin (BTC)
Bitcoin (BTC) |
Definition: First cryptocurrency, launched in 2009 by Satoshi Nakamoto |
Purpose: Peer-to-peer electronic cash system without central authority |
Technology: Blockchain using Proof of Work consensus |
Notable Information: Fixed supply of 21 million coins, often called "digital gold" |
Risk Factors: High volatility, regulatory uncertainty, energy consumption concerns |
Ethereum (ETH)
Ethereum (ETH) |
Definition: Programmable blockchain enabling smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps) decentralized finance (DeFi) |
Purpose: Foundation for decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, NFTs, and blockchain projects |
Technology: Transitioned from Proof of Work to Proof of Stake in 2022 |
Notable Information: Proposed by Vitalik Buterin in 2013, launched in 2015 |
Risk Factors: Scalability challenges, competition from newer platforms, upgrade risks |
Ripple (XRP)
Ripple (XRP) |
Definition: Created by Ripple Labs in 2012 for international money transfers |
Purpose: Bridge currency for cross-border payments without pre-funded accounts |
Technology: Unique consensus protocol without mining for fast settlement |
Notable Information: Transactions settle in 3-5 seconds |
Risk Factors: Regulatory challenges, ongoing legal disputes with regulatory bodies, centralization concerns |
Litecoin (LTC)
Litecoin (LTC) |
Definition: Created in 2011 by Charlie Lee as one of Bitcoin's first alternatives |
Purpose: "Lighter" version of Bitcoin with faster transaction times |
Technology: Processes blocks every 2.5 minutes using Scrypt hashing algorithm |
Notable Information: Faster block times enable quicker confirmations and lower fees |
Risk Factors: Competition from newer cryptocurrencies, diminishing differentiation from Bitcoin |
Solana (SOL)
Solana (SOL) |
Definition: High-performance blockchain launched in 2020 for decentralized applications |
Purpose: Solves blockchain scalability for high-throughput applications like trading and gaming |
Technology: Combines Proof of History and Proof of Stake consensus |
Notable Information: Processes thousands of transactions per second with minimal fees |
Risk Factors: Network outages, stability issues, centralization concerns |
Cardano (ADA)
Cardano (ADA) |
Definition: Founded in 2015 by Ethereum co-founder Charles Hoskinson, launched 2017 |
Purpose: Secure, sustainable blockchain for dApps and smart contracts |
Technology: Developed through peer-reviewed research, uses Ouroboros Proof of Stake |
Notable Information: Focus on sustainability, scalability, and interoperability |
Risk Factors: Slower development pace, adoption challenges for smart contract platform |
Stellar (XLM)
Stellar (XLM) |
Definition: Created in 2014 by Jed McCaleb, who also co-founded Ripple. |
Purpose: Connect financial institutions, payment systems, and people for low-cost transfers, focusing on remittances and cross-border payments. |
Technology: Uses Stellar Consensus Protocol for fast, cheap transactions without mining. |
Notable Information: Aims to provide financial services to unbanked populations and quick currency conversions through its decentralized exchange. |
Risk Factors: Faces competition from traditional financial services and other blockchain solutions, regulatory challenges, and adoption issues for cross-border payments. |
What are the popular DeFi and infrastructure tokens?
Chainlink (LINK)
Chainlink (LINK) |
Definition: Decentralized oracle network founded in 2017 |
Purpose: Enables smart contracts to interact with real-world data and external APIs |
Technology: Network of nodes bridging on-chain contracts with off-chain resources |
Notable Information: Provides tamper-proof inputs for complex smart contracts |
Risk Factors: Dependency on node operators, competition from other oracle solutions |
Polkadot (DOT)
Polkadot (DOT) |
Definition: Polkadot was created by Ethereum co-founder Gavin Wood and launched in 2020. |
Purpose: It connects multiple specialized blockchains into a unified network, enabling cross-blockchain transfers of any data or asset types. |
Technology: Polkadot uses a sharded multichain framework with parallel processing capabilities. |
Notable Information: It facilitates a decentralized internet where independent blockchains can exchange information and transactions. |
Risk Factors: Complex technical architecture and competition from other interoperability solutions. |
Avalanche (AVAX)
Avalanche (AVAX) |
Definition: Launched in 2020 by Cornell University computer scientists |
Purpose: Platform for dApps with high throughput and Ethereum compatibility |
Technology: Novel consensus enabling thousands of transactions per second |
Notable Information: Multiple specialized blockchains within ecosystem |
Risk Factors: Competition from other high-performance blockchains, complex structure |
Cosmos (ATOM)
Cosmos (ATOM) |
Definition: Co-founded by Jae Kwon and Ethan Buchman, launched in 2019 |
Purpose: Solves interoperability issues between blockchains ("Internet of Blockchains") |
Technology: Tendermint consensus with Inter-Blockchain Communication protocol |
Notable Information: Cosmos Hub serves as economic center for connected blockchains |
Risk Factors: Competition from other interoperability projects, depends on adoption |
Arbitrum (ARB)
Arbitrum (ARB) |
Definition: Layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum by Offchain Labs |
Purpose: Enhances Ethereum scalability by processing transactions off main chain |
Technology: Uses optimistic rollups for faster, cheaper transactions |
Notable Information: Used by many DeFi applications to improve user experience |
Risk Factors: Technical risks with rollup technology, dependence on Ethereum ecosystem |
Near Protocol (NEAR)
Near Protocol (NEAR) |
Definition: Founded in 2018 by Alexander Skidanov and Illia Polosukhin |
Purpose: Developer-friendly and user-friendly layer-1 blockchain |
Technology: Nightshade sharding for scalability and lower transaction costs |
Notable Information: Focuses on accelerating development and adoption of dApps |
Risk Factors: Competition from established platforms, developer adoption challenges |
Aave (AAVE)
Aave (AAVE) |
Definition: Founded in 2017 as a decentralized non-custodial liquidity protocol |
Purpose: Allows lending and borrowing without centralized intermediaries |
Technology: Smart contracts automate lending and borrowing processes |
Notable Information: Introduced flash loans and rate switching, leading DeFi platform |
Risk Factors: Smart contract vulnerabilities, regulatory risks, competition |
Curve DAO (CRV)
Curve DAO (CRV) |
Definition: Launched in 2020 as a DEX optimized for stablecoin trading |
Purpose: Specializes in efficient stablecoin trading within DeFi |
Technology: AMM algorithms designed for low-slippage trades between similar assets |
Notable Information: CRV token used for governance and value accrual |
Risk Factors: Smart contract risks, regulatory concerns, increased DEX competition |
1inch (1INCH)
1inch (1INCH) |
Definition: Founded in 2019 as a decentralized exchange aggregator |
Purpose: Sources liquidity from various exchanges for optimal trading |
Technology: Splits transactions across multiple DEXes for best rates |
Notable Information: Pathfinder algorithm finds most efficient trading routes |
Risk Factors: Dependence on other DeFi protocols' liquidity, smart contract risks |
Injective (INJ)
Injective (INJ) |
Definition: Layer-1 blockchain built specifically for finance applications |
Purpose: Focuses on DeFi and cross-chain trading opportunities |
Technology: Decentralized order book and matching engine for various trading types |
Notable Information: Aims for borderless financial system with zero gas fees |
Risk Factors: Regulatory challenges for decentralized derivatives, exchange competition |
Filecoin (FIL)
Filecoin (FIL) |
Definition: Created by Protocol Labs, launched in 2020 after major ICO |
Purpose: Decentralized storage network for renting unused hard drive space |
Technology: Proof-of-replication and proof-of-spacetime verify storage claims |
Notable Information: Alternative to centralized cloud storage providers |
Risk Factors: Competition from traditional cloud storage, technical complexity |
Polytrade (POL)
Polytrade (POL) |
Definition: Polytrade is a decentralized finance system for real-world trade finance. |
Purpose: It connects businesses seeking financing with crypto investors looking for new yield opportunities by bringing traditional finance assets onto the blockchain. |
Technology: Polytrade tokenises real-world invoices and other trade finance assets, bringing them on-chain to create a bridge between traditional finance and DeFi. |
Notable Information: Polytrade turns real-world invoices and other trade finance assets into digital tokens, bridging traditional finance and DeFi. |
Risk Factors: Challenges with regulations in different areas, risks with real-world asset tokens, and difficulties in combining traditional finance with blockchain systems. |
What are Web3, AI, and next-gen tokens?
Internet Computer (ICP)
Internet Computer (ICP) |
Definition: Developed by DFINITY Foundation, launched in 2021 |
Purpose: Extends internet functionality with decentralized cloud computing |
Technology: Chain Key Technology consensus mechanism |
Notable Information: Allows deployment of smart contracts and dApps directly on blockchain |
Risk Factors: Centralization concerns, competition from cloud providers, technical complexity |
Fet.ai (FET)
Fet.ai (FET) |
Definition: Founded in 2017 as AI lab building decentralized machine learning network |
Purpose: Combines blockchain, AI, and multi-agent systems for autonomous tasks |
Technology: Platform for AI agents to interact, negotiate, and transact |
Notable Information: Aims to automate industries through blockchain-based AI agents |
Risk Factors: Adoption challenges for complex AI technologies, centralized AI competition |
Render (RNDR)
Render (RNDR) |
Definition: Created by OTOY to connect artists with GPU compute power providers |
Purpose: Provides decentralized GPU rendering for digital creators |
Technology: Distributed GPU network exchanging tokens for rendering power |
Notable Information: Efficient GPU resource allocation for complex rendering tasks |
Risk Factors: Competition from established rendering farms and cloud GPU services |
AIOZ Network (AIOZ)
AIOZ Network (AIOZ) |
Definition: Blockchain-based content delivery network using edge computing |
Purpose: Faster, more efficient Web3-based delivery and storage network |
Technology: Users share computing resources and bandwidth for tokens |
Notable Information: Alternative to traditional CDN services |
Risk Factors: Competition from established CDN providers, adoption challenges |
Sui (SUI)
Sui (SUI) |
Definition: Layer-1 blockchain developed by former Meta (Facebook) employees |
Purpose: High-throughput applications with focus on asset-centric computation |
Technology: Narwhal and Tusk consensus for high-performance operations |
Notable Information: Optimized for gaming, social media, and finance applications |
Risk Factors: Competition from established layer-1 blockchains, regulatory scrutiny |
Akash Network (AKT)
Akash Network (AKT) |
Definition: Founded in 2018 as decentralized cloud computing marketplace |
Purpose: Platform for buying and selling unused computing resources |
Technology: Marketplace for cloud resources with blockchain-based settlement |
Notable Information: Applications deployable at fraction of traditional cloud costs |
Risk Factors: Competition from major cloud providers, adoption challenges |
Celestia (TIA)
Celestia (TIA) |
Definition: Modular blockchain network focused on data availability |
Purpose: Separates consensus and execution for more scalable architectures |
Technology: Provides consensus and data availability layers for other blockchains |
Notable Information: Allows creation of purpose-specific execution layer |
Risk Factors: Novel architecture adoption challenges, technical risks with modular approach |
Immutable X (IMX)
Immutable X (IMX) |
Definition: Developed by Australian blockchain gaming company, launched 2021 |
Purpose: Layer-2 scaling for NFTs on Ethereum with gas-free trading |
Technology: ZK-rollups batch transactions to reduce fees while maintaining security |
Notable Information: Tools for high-performance NFT applications and games |
Risk Factors: Dependency on Ethereum, competition from other NFT platforms |
Ondo Finance (ONDO)
Ondo Finance (ONDO) |
Definition: Bridges traditional finance with decentralized finance |
Purpose: Structured products with various risk-return profiles in DeFi |
Technology: Protocol for customizing risk exposure in liquidity provision |
Notable Information: Tailored investment opportunities connecting traditional products to blockchain |
Risk Factors: Regulatory challenges for structured products, protocol dependencies |
XCN (Chain)
XCN (Chain) |
Definition: Founded in 2014 to provide enterprise blockchain infrastructure |
Purpose: Enables financial institutions to create and transfer digital assets |
Technology: Designed for enterprise-level asset issuance and management |
Notable Information: Focus on financial services applications |
Risk Factors: Competition from other enterprise solutions, regulatory hurdles |
What are community and meme coins?
Dogecoin (DOGE)
Dogecoin (DOGE) |
Definition: Created in 2013 as a joke based on the "Doge" internet meme |
Purpose: Peer-to-peer digital currency for tipping and small transactions |
Technology: Based on Litecoin's codebase using Scrypt algorithm |
Notable Information: Despite humorous origins, gained substantial value but has unlimited supply |
Risk Factors: Minimal development, inflationary tokenomics, social media dependency |
Shiba Inu (SHIB)
Shiba Inu (SHIB) |
Definition: Created in 2020 by anonymous "Ryoshi" as "Dogecoin killer" |
Purpose: Meme coin with strong community backing |
Technology: ERC-20 token on Ethereum blockchain |
Notable Information: Expanded to include ShibaSwap DEX and other projects |
Risk Factors: Extreme volatility, limited utility, community sentiment dependence |
Floki (FLOKI)
Floki (FLOKI) |
Definition: Named after Elon Musk's dog, created by Shiba Inu community |
Purpose: Combines meme culture with utility attempts (education, NFT gaming, charity) |
Technology: Exists on both Ethereum (ERC-20) and Binance Smart Chain (BEP-20) |
Notable Information: Primarily driven by meme appeal despite broader ambitions |
Risk Factors: High volatility, heavy dependence on influencers and community |
Pepe (PEPE)
Pepe (PEPE) |
Definition: Based on the Pepe the Frog internet meme, launched 2023 |
Purpose: Speculative asset with no utility beyond meme status |
Technology: ERC-20 token on Ethereum blockchain |
Notable Information: Gained popularity despite lacking innovation or utility |
Risk Factors: Extreme volatility, no fundamental value, complete market sentiment dependence |
Bonk (BONK)
Bonk (BONK) |
Definition: Solana-based meme coin launched late 2022 |
Purpose: Community-driven project airdropped to Solana NFT holders and developers |
Technology: Operates on Solana blockchain for fast, inexpensive transactions |
Notable Information: First popular dog-themed meme coin in Solana ecosystem |
Risk Factors: High volatility, dependence on Solana ecosystem health |
Dogwifhat (WIF)
Dogwifhat (WIF) |
Definition: Solana-based meme coin featuring a dog wearing a hat, launched 2023 |
Purpose: Community hype and speculative trading without substantial utility |
Technology: Operates on Solana blockchain |
Notable Information: Developed distinctive brand within meme coin space |
Risk Factors: Extreme price volatility, dependence on social media trends |
Algorand (ALGO)
Algorand (ALGO) |
Definition: Founded in 2017 by MIT professor Silvio Micali (Turing Award winner). |
Purpose: It aims to address blockchain scalability, security, and decentralization at the same time. |
Technology: Uses a pure proof-of-stake consensus mechanism that randomly selects validators from all token holders, ensuring both security and decentralization. |
Notable Information: It processes transactions in seconds with instant completion, making it ideal for financial applications needing quick settlements and low costs. It's suitable for high-performance enterprise and government use. |
Risk Factors: Faces competition from other high-performance blockchains, adoption challenges, and potential regulatory issues. |
Sei Network (SEI)
Sei Network (SEI) |
Definition: Sei is a specialized layer-1 blockchain designed specifically for trading applications. |
Purpose: It aims to provide top-level infrastructure for DeFi trading with fast speeds and low delays, optimized for trading activities. |
Technology: Has a built-in order-matching engine and protection against frontrunning to boost performance for decentralized exchanges and trading platforms. |
Notable Information: Designed to handle high-frequency trading and complex financial transactions, focusing on quick transaction times and efficient DeFi operations. |
Risk Factors: Competition from other blockchains with trading improvements, potential regulatory issues, and the complexity of maintaining specialized trading features. |
How Do You Start Investing in Cryptocurrencies?
To start investing in cryptocurrencies with IG, new clients need to complete an online application, submit identity documents, and verify their identity with a selfie. Existing clients can simply add a crypto account through their My IG Dashboard.
All clients must complete a cryptocurrency knowledge assessment. After verification, you will observe a mandatory 24-hour cooldown period before you can start investing.
After successful IG Crypto account verification, you can login and start investing available digital assets on the IG iOS/Android mobile apps, the IG Invest app, or the web platform.
Litecoin (LTC)