Guide to All 55+ Cryptocurrencies Available with IG
Cryptoassets are high-risk investments and may not be suitable for all investors. Their prices can be highly volatile, and you could lose some or all of the money you invest. Cryptoassets are not regulated in the same way as traditional investments and are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Protection from the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) is limited. During periods of extreme market volatility, liquidity may be reduced, which can affect your ability to buy or sell crypto at your desired price. You should take time to understand how crypto works and the risks involved before investing. For more information, visit IG’s Crypto Risks page. |
IG now offers 55+ cryptocurrencies, 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
- Stablecoins: Maintain value pegged to fiat currencies
Understanding these categories can help you make more informed decisions about your cryptocurrency investments, helping you build a portfolio that matches your risk tolerance.
To view all available cryptocurrencies and their current prices, access the asset list through your IG platform.
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)
- Definition: Programmable blockchain enabling smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- Definition: High-performance blockchain launched in 2020 for decentralized applications
- Purpose: Provides infrastructure for high-throughput applications including 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)
- 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)
- 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
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)
- Definition: Created by Ethereum co-founder Gavin Wood and launched in 2020
- Purpose: Connects multiple specialized blockchains into a unified network, enabling cross-blockchain transfers of any data or asset types
- Technology: Uses a sharded multichain framework with parallel processing capabilities
- Notable Information: 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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
Polygon (POL)
- Definition: Polygon is a platform for building and connecting Ethereum-compatible blockchain networks
- Purpose: Provides scalability solutions for Ethereum through sidechains and Layer 2 technologies
- Technology: Uses a modified version of Plasma framework with Proof of Stake consensus
- Notable Information: Significantly reduces transaction costs and increases speed while maintaining Ethereum compatibility
- Risk Factors: Dependence on Ethereum ecosystem, competition from other scaling solutions, technical complexity
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
Fetch.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 (RENDER)
- 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
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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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
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)
- 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
Pepe (PEPE)
- Definition: Based on the Pepe the Frog internet meme, launched 2023
- Purpose: Meme-based cryptocurrency with speculative trading focus
- Technology: ERC-20 token on Ethereum blockchain
- Notable Information: Gained significant trading volume despite being a meme token
- Risk Factors: Extreme volatility, no fundamental utility, complete market sentiment dependence
Bonk (BONK)
- Definition: Solana-based meme coin launched late 2022
- Purpose: Community-driven meme token airdropped to Solana ecosystem participants
- Technology: Operates on Solana blockchain for fast, inexpensive transactions
- Notable Information: Launched as community initiative within Solana ecosystem
- Risk Factors: High volatility, dependence on Solana ecosystem health
Dogwifhat (WIF)
- Definition: Solana-based meme coin launched 2023
- Purpose: Meme-based cryptocurrency for speculative trading
- Technology: Operates on Solana blockchain
- Notable Information: Part of the broader meme coin category on Solana
- Risk Factors: Extreme price volatility, dependence on social media trends
Algorand (ALGO)
- Definition: Founded in 2017 by MIT professor Silvio Micali (Turing Award winner)
- Purpose: 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: Processes transactions in seconds with instant completion, making it ideal for financial applications needing quick settlements and low costs. 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)
- Definition: Sei is a specialized layer-1 blockchain designed specifically for trading applications
- Purpose: 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
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
USD Coin (USDC)
- Definition: Stablecoin launched in 2018 by Circle and Coinbase
- Purpose: Maintain stable value pegged 1:1 to the US dollar for predictable transactions
- Technology: ERC-20 token backed by fully reserved assets
- Notable Information: Fully regulated stablecoin with transparent reserves, audited regularly
- Risk Factors: Counterparty risk, regulatory changes, depegging risk during market stress
Aptos (APT)
- Definition: Layer-1 blockchain developed by former Meta engineers, launched 2022
- Purpose: High-performance blockchain for scalable dApps and DeFi applications
- Technology: Uses Move programming language and parallel transaction processing
- Notable Information: Aims to solve scalability issues while maintaining security and decentralization
- Risk Factors: Competition from established blockchains, adoption challenges, technical complexity
Optimism (OP)
- Definition: Layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum using optimistic rollups
- Purpose: Reduces Ethereum transaction costs and increases throughput
- Technology: Bundles multiple transactions into single batches submitted to Ethereum mainnet
- Notable Information: Part of growing ecosystem of Ethereum scaling solutions
- Risk Factors: Dependence on Ethereum, technical risks with rollup technology, competition from other L2s
Maker (MKR)
- Definition: Governance token for MakerDAO, launched 2017
- Purpose: Manages the DAI stablecoin system and protocol parameters
- Technology: ERC-20 token on Ethereum, used for voting on collateral types and stability fees
- Notable Information: One of the oldest and most established DeFi protocols
- Risk Factors: Smart contract vulnerabilities, regulatory risks, collateral management challenges
Lido DAO Token (LDO)
- Definition: Governance token for Lido, a liquid staking protocol
- Purpose: Enables decentralized governance of Lido's staking services
- Technology: Provides liquid staking derivatives for Ethereum and other Proof of Stake chains
- Notable Information: Largest liquid staking protocol by total value locked
- Risk Factors: Smart contract risks, slashing risks, regulatory uncertainty around staking services
The Sandbox (SAND)
- Definition: Metaverse platform token launched in 2020
- Purpose: Powers a virtual world where users create, own, and monetize gaming experiences
- Technology: ERC-20 token on Ethereum used for transactions, governance, and staking
- Notable Information: Partnerships with major brands for virtual real estate and experiences
- Risk Factors: Metaverse adoption uncertainty, competition from other virtual worlds, gaming industry trends
Stacks (STX)
- Definition: Layer-1 blockchain that brings smart contracts to Bitcoin
- Purpose: Enables dApps and smart contracts while settling on Bitcoin network
- Technology: Uses Proof of Transfer consensus mechanism linked to Bitcoin security
- Notable Information: Unique approach to extending Bitcoin functionality without changing Bitcoin itself
- Risk Factors: Technical complexity, adoption challenges, competition from other Bitcoin layers
Axie Infinity Shards (AXS)
- Definition: Governance token for Axie Infinity, a play-to-earn game
- Purpose: Used for staking, governance, and in-game payments
- Technology: ERC-20 token on Ethereum for the NFT-based gaming ecosystem
- Notable Information: Pioneered the play-to-earn gaming model
- Risk Factors: Gaming industry volatility, competition from new games, regulatory scrutiny of play-to-earn models
Ethereum Name Service (ENS)
- Definition: Protocol for human-readable blockchain addresses, launched 2017
- Purpose: Replaces complex wallet addresses with simple names (like yourname.eth)
- Technology: Built on Ethereum, uses NFTs to represent domain ownership
- Notable Information: Critical infrastructure for Web3 user experience
- Risk Factors: Competition from other naming services, adoption challenges, technical dependencies
The Graph (GRT)
- Definition: Indexing protocol for querying blockchain data, launched 2020
- Purpose: Enables efficient data queries for dApps without centralized servers
- Technology: Decentralized network of indexers, curators, and delegators
- Notable Information: Essential infrastructure for many DeFi and Web3 applications
- Risk Factors: Competition from centralized alternatives, economic model sustainability, adoption challenges
Chiliz (CHZ)
- Definition: Blockchain platform for sports and entertainment, launched 2019
- Purpose: Powers fan tokens for sports teams and entertainment brands
- Technology: Built on own blockchain with focus on fan engagement and voting
- Notable Information: Partnerships with major football clubs and sports organizations
- Risk Factors: Dependent on sports partnerships, regulatory scrutiny of fan tokens, competition
Compound (COMP)
- Definition: Governance token for Compound protocol, launched 2020
- Purpose: Decentralized lending platform governance
- Technology: Algorithmic money market protocol on Ethereum
- Notable Information: One of the original DeFi lending protocols
- Risk Factors: Smart contract risks, competition from other lending platforms, regulatory uncertainty
Balancer (BAL)
- Definition: Governance token for Balancer protocol, launched 2020
- Purpose: Automated portfolio manager and decentralized exchange
- Technology: Enables customizable liquidity pools with multiple tokens and weights
- Notable Information: Flexible AMM design allowing self-balancing portfolios
- Risk Factors: Smart contract vulnerabilities, competition from other DEXs, impermanent loss risks
Yearn.Finance (YFI)
- Definition: Governance token for Yearn protocol, launched 2020
- Purpose: Yield optimization across DeFi platforms
- Technology: Automated strategies that move funds to highest-yield opportunities
- Notable Information: Fair launch with no pre-mine or founder allocation
- Risk Factors: Smart contract complexity, dependency on other DeFi protocols, strategy risks
0x (ZRX)
- Definition: Protocol for decentralized exchange of tokens, launched 2017
- Purpose: Infrastructure for building DEXs and enabling token swaps
- Technology: Off-chain order relay with on-chain settlement
- Notable Information: Powers many DEX aggregators and trading interfaces
- Risk Factors: Competition from other DEX protocols, adoption challenges, regulatory uncertainty
SushiSwap (SUSHI)
- Definition: Decentralized exchange and AMM, forked from Uniswap in 2020
- Purpose: Community-driven DEX with additional features like staking and lending
- Technology: Automated market maker on multiple blockchains
- Notable Information: Successfully expanded to multiple chains beyond Ethereum
- Risk Factors: Competition from other DEXs, governance challenges, smart contract risks
Basic Attention Token (BAT)
- Definition: Token for Brave browser ecosystem, launched 2017
- Purpose: Rewards users for viewing ads and supports content creators
- Technology: ERC-20 token integrated with Brave browser
- Notable Information: Aims to reform digital advertising model
- Risk Factors: Browser adoption dependency, competition from traditional ad models, regulatory uncertainty
Ankr Network (ANKR)
- Definition: Decentralized infrastructure for Web3, launched 2018
- Purpose: Provides node infrastructure and staking services
- Technology: Distributed network of nodes for blockchain infrastructure
- Notable Information: Offers easy access to blockchain nodes and APIs
- Risk Factors: Competition from centralized node providers, technical complexity, adoption challenges
Gnosis (GNO)
- Definition: Platform for prediction markets and decentralized governance, launched 2017
- Purpose: Enables creation of prediction markets and multi-signature wallets
- Technology: Suite of tools including Gnosis Safe and Gnosis Chain
- Notable Information: Gnosis Safe is widely used for managing crypto treasuries
- Risk Factors: Regulatory scrutiny of prediction markets, competition, complexity
zkSync (ZK)
- Definition: Layer-2 scaling solution using zero-knowledge rollups
- Purpose: Scale Ethereum with zero-knowledge proofs for security
- Technology: Uses zk-SNARKs to bundle transactions with cryptographic proofs
- Notable Information: Balances scalability with strong security guarantees
- Risk Factors: Technical complexity, competition from other L2s, adoption challenges
How Do You Start Investing in Cryptocurrencies?
To start investing in cryptocurrencies with IG, new clients need to complete an online application and verify their identity through electronic verification or document upload. 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 cooling period before you can start investing.
After successful IG Crypto account verification, you can login and start investing in available digital assets on the IG iOS / Android mobile apps, the IG Invest app, or the web platform.
