Cryptocurrency has quickly become a major part of the financial world. It’s a hot topic on social media, in news articles, and even at family dinners. It offers opportunities for both seasoned investors and those just starting out. Whether you're new to crypto or an experienced trader, you might be wondering: what’s the best cheap crypto to buy now?
With so many options—including meme coins, AI-driven projects, and utility tokens—it can feel overwhelming to choose the right investment. This article will break down what to look for and highlight some of the best cheap cryptos to buy right now that could offer high returns.
First things first—you should know what crypto actually is. Crypto, short for cryptocurrency, is digital money that runs on blockchain technology. Unlike fiat currencies like the dollar or euro, crypto isn’t controlled by banks or governments. Instead, it’s decentralized, meaning it operates on a global network of computers with no central authority governing the process.
Bitcoin was the first cryptocurrency, but today, there are thousands of coins and tokens in the market. Crypto offers an opportunity to invest in emerging technology, and some low-market-cap coins today could explode in value, rewarding early investors.
Cheap cryptocurrencies, often called "penny cryptos," are digital assets that trade at relatively low prices—typically under a dollar or even just a few cents. Investors are drawn to these assets due to their potential for significant returns, sometimes 10x or even 30x in value.
However, a low price doesn’t always mean a good investment. Factors like market capitalization, utility, and community support play a crucial role in a cryptocurrency’s potential. The best cheap crypto to buy now typically has a low price, a reasonable market cap, and strong growth potential.
It is also important to know that a crypto being cheap doesn’t equate to being of no value. Some of these coins are part of cool crypto projects, like AI-driven trading platforms or decentralized applications. Others are coins riding a wave of meme culture. The trick is finding the best cryptocurrency with potential, not just the cheapest one.
Here are some reasons why investing in cheap cryptocurrencies might be a good investment.
If you're new to crypto, cheaper coins let you enter the market without committing large amounts of money. Many coins that seem undervalued today could see major price surges in the future.
The crypto market is extremely volatile, which means that choosing the right cheap crypto to buy could lead to massive gains. Several now-popular cryptos started as low-cost investments before skyrocketing in value.
Investing in multiple low-cost cryptos helps spread risk, a strategy often used by experienced traders. Instead of putting everything into one high-priced asset, you can explore different projects.
Some of the best cheap cryptos to buy right now are tied to strong technology, like AI tech, or have strong community backing that could result in significant growth over time.
The following are some of the essential factors to consider when investing in cheap cryptocurrencies:
If you're looking for affordable cryptocurrencies with strong growth potential, here are some of the best options:
Cardano is a blockchain platform designed to offer a secure and scalable infrastructure for decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts. Unlike many projects, Cardano (ADA) is built on academic research and peer-reviewed development, making it one of the most technically advanced cryptos in the market.
Cardano has been developing a sidechain called Midnight, which focuses on data protection and privacy for developers creating decentralized applications. Additionally, to enhance scalability, Cardano is working on Hydra, a Layer 2 scaling solution designed to increase transaction throughput and reduce latency.
Key Features:
✅ Energy Efficient Proof-of-Stake (PoS) Consensus Mechanism: Cardano utilizes the Ouroboros PoS consensus algorithm, making it more sustainable than Bitcoin's Proof-of-Work (PoW).
✅ Layered Architecture: The platform is built on a two-layer architecture:
✅ Scalability and Interoperability: Aims to improve transaction throughput and connect with other blockchain networks.
As of the time of writing, ADA is currently trading at approximately $0.74 per ADA/USD, making it an attractive option for investors seeking affordable yet promising cryptocurrencies. This cryptocurrency has seen a 5.93% increase in the last 24 hours, and a 2.68% increase in the last week, making it one of the best cheap cryptos to buy now.
Shiba Inu started as meme coin but has since evolved into a community-driven cryptocurrency with real utility. Originally created as an alternative to Dogecoin, SHIB has expanded its ecosystem with projects like ShibaSwap, Shibarium, NFT integrations, and even other tokens, making it more than just another joke coin.
Key Features:
✅ Ethereum-Based Token: SHIB operates as an ERC-20 token on the Ethereum blockchain, leveraging Ethereum's robust infrastructure to facilitate its operations.
✅ Community-Driven Approach: The SHIBArmy is one of the largest and most dedicated crypto communities, playing a pivotal role in promoting and supporting the token.
✅ Meme Coin Identity: Similar to Dogecoin, Shiba Inu is categorized as a meme coin, relying heavily on social media hype and community engagement for its value proposition.
As of the time of writing, SHIB is currently trading at approximately $0.00001284 per SHIB/USD. This cryptocurrency has seen a 2.39% increase in the last 24 hours, and a 6.56% increase in the last week making it an appealing investment choice.
Shiba Inu's low entry price, strong community backing, and growing ecosystem make it one of the best cheap crypto to buy right now, appealing to those looking for high-risk, high-reward opportunities.
Dawgz AI is a new AI-powered crypto project that's become a major talking point in the crypto world. It integrates artificial intelligence with blockchain technology to enhance automated trading. It offers AI-powered trading bots and staking rewards, making it one of the hottest emerging cryptocurrencies now.
It’s a native token tied to an AI tech project that’s gaining traction fast and this project aims to use artificial intelligence to make crypto trading smarter and faster, so think of it as a helper for your crypto portfolio, spotting market trends and suggesting moves.
Key Reasons to Buy $DAGZ:
✅ Early Investment Opportunity: Still in presale, meaning prices are low and offer high potential for early investors.
✅ Strong Momentum & Community Growth: The project has raised millions in its presale phase, signaling rising investor interest.
✅ Staking Rewards & Low Fees: Holders can earn passive income through staking while benefiting from low transaction fees.
✅ AI-Driven Trading Innovation: Given the current interest in AI-powered trading, Dawgz AI could become a leading player in the market.
The project is still in its presale phase and it has currently raised over $2.8 million, indicating a rise in investors interest. One $DAGZ token is priced at $0.00345 per token.
Dawgz AI’s presale status, AI-driven trading model, and growing investor base make it one of the best cheap cryptos to buy now, particularly for long-term holders looking for early-stage investments with high upside potential.
Dogecoin started out as a meme coin, paving the way for hundreds of other dog-themed meme coins. It has since evolved into a widely used crypto asset, thanks to endorsements from high-profile public figures like Elon Musk, with a devoted community and real-world use cases.
Its low transaction fees and faster block times make it suitable for microtransactions, tipping, and online payments, as seen on crypto gambling sites like Rivalry.
Key Features:
✅ Unlimited Supply: Unlike Bitcoin's capped supply of 21 million coins, Dogecoin has no maximum supply limit, with approximately 10,000 new DOGE mined every minute, leading to a continuously increasing supply.
✅ Proof-of-Work Consensus Mechanism: Dogecoin utilizes a Scrypt-based mining algorithm, which allows for more energy-efficient and faster block creation times compared to mining Bitcoin.
✅ Fast Transaction Processing: One minute block times ensure faster transaction confirmations, enhancing its utility for everyday transactions.
✅ Low Transaction Fees: DOGE offers cheap and efficient transactions, making it perfect for small payments and tipping.
Currently, DOGE is trading at approximately $0.17 per DOGE/USD, making it one of the best cheap cryptos to buy right now. This cryptocurrency has seen a 5.1% increase in the last 24 hours, and a 4.4% increase in the last week, making it one of the best penny crypto to buy right now, especially for investors looking for high-liquidity altcoins with mainstream adoption..
VeChain is a cheap crypto that focuses on supply chain and logistics. Its platform enables businesses to track products and authenticate goods using blockchain technology, which makes VET valuable for industries like pharmaceuticals, luxury goods, and logistics.
Key Features:
✅ Dual-Token System: VeChain operates on a dual-token model.
✅ Proof of Authority (PoA) Consensus Mechanism: Uses approved validators, known as Authority Masternodes, to ensure faster, energy-efficient transactions compared to traditional PoW blockchains.
✅ Enterprise Partnerships: VeChain has established collaborations with notable enterprises, including Walmart China, to implement blockchain solutions that enhance product traceability and authenticity.
Presently, VET is trading at approximately $0.026 per VET/USD, having seen a 9.85% increase in the last 24 hours, making it one of the best crypto to buy right now with both long-term potential and real-world utility.
XRP is the native cryptocurrency of the Ripple network, a payment protocol designed to facilitate fast and cost-effective international money transfers. XRP is known for its use in cross-border payments and as a crypto exchange bridge for fiat currencies. Though facing legal challenges against the SEC, XRP remains a solid project with a relatively low price compared to other prominent cryptocurrencies.
Key Features:
✅ Rapid Transaction Speed: XRP transactions are typically settled within seconds, significantly faster than traditional banking systems and most cryptocurrencies.
✅ Low Transaction Fees: Minimal transaction costs make it a preferred cross-border payment solution for financial institutions.
✅ High Scalability: The Ripple network processes thousands of transactions per second, making it a scalable and efficient global payments solution.
On March 19, 2025, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse that the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had dismissed its case against Ripple Labs after a $125 million settlement (significantly lower than the SEC's initial request of $2 billion). The matter was dismissed, restoring regulatory clarity for XRP and increasing investor confidence in this prominent cryptocurrency.
Following this announcement, XRP's price rose by about 12.51%, reaching a high of $2.51. This rise demonstrates renewed investor optimism in XRP, making it one of the best cheap cryptos to buy now.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming various industries, and cryptocurrency trading is no exception. AI-powered trading bots analyze vast amounts of data to execute trades, aiming to maximize profits while minimizing risks. Projects like Dawgz AI are at the forefront of integrating AI with crypto trading, offering automated trading solutions that operate 24/7.
Meme coins are cryptocurrencies inspired by internet memes or popular culture references. While many start as jokes, some have developed substantial communities and ecosystems. Investing in meme coins can be highly speculative due to their volatility and lack of intrinsic value. However, their popularity demonstrates the influence of internet culture on financial markets.
Here are some popular platforms where you can buy cheap cryptocurrencies.
Coinbase is one of the most popular crypto exchanges for beginners. It offers a wide range of cryptocurrencies and allows purchases with fiat currencies. Coinbase also provides a user-friendly interface, making it easy to manage your crypto portfolio.
Binance is another widely used exchange, offering a broad selection of digital currencies. It provides advanced features for experienced traders, including AI-driven trading tools and low transaction fees.
Kraken is known for its strong security measures and a diverse range of cryptos. It is another good platform for both beginners and advanced traders. It also supports staking rewards, allowing users to earn passive income.
MEXC is a top choice for buying cheap cryptos, as this crypto exchange offers over 2,900 cryptocurrencies. It also features low fees and a user-friendly experience for all levels of traders.
OKX offers spot trading, futures, and advanced trading tools. With competitive fees and global accessibility, it’s a solid option for traders looking for flexibility.
Gemini is a regulated exchange with strong security measures and an easy-to-use platform. It’s a great choice for users looking for compliance and reliability in crypto trading.
ByBit is a fast-growing exchange that offers derivatives, spot trading, and AI-driven trading tools. It provides competitive fees and deep liquidity, making it an attractive option for active traders.
Here’s a simple guide on how to buy cheap crypto;
The cryptocurrency market is known for its extreme volatility, making it essential for investors to stay informed about market trends and potential risks. Several factors influence the crypto market, including:
Due to the high-risk nature of cryptocurrencies, having a risk management strategy is crucial. Some best practices include:
When considering which cheap crypto to buy for the long term, look for projects with:
Cryptos that focus on AI tech or blockchain infrastructure may offer more long-term stability, as these sectors continue to expand.
Investing in cheap cryptocurrencies can be highly rewarding, but it comes with risks. So whether you're looking for meme coins like Shiba Inu, AI-powered cryptos like Dawgz AI, or utility-driven projects like Cardano, understanding the market and choosing wisely is essential.
Before making any investment, conduct thorough research, assess your risk tolerance, and consider market trends to make more informed decisions.