What are the different crypto currencies that can be invested in that aren't really expensive like bitcoin?
Executive summary
If you mean “cheap” as price per coin (much less than Bitcoin’s tens of thousands), many widely discussed options in 2025 include Cardano (ADA), XRP, Dogecoin (DOGE), Solana (SOL) and layer‑1 or niche tokens highlighted by outlets like CoinGape, CryptoNews, Forbes Advisor and others (examples: ADA, XRP, DOGE, SOL) [1] [2] [3] [4]. Reporters and analysts caution that “cheap” per‑unit price isn’t the same as value; rankings in late‑November 2025 emphasize market momentum, utility and liquidity rather than only coin price [4] [2].
1. What people mean by “cheap” — price per coin versus value
Many consumer lists describe “cheap cryptocurrencies” by their low per‑token price (cents or single dollars), but journalists and analysts explicitly say lower nominal price doesn’t equal a better bargain; they screen instead for fundamentals like real‑world utility, developer activity and liquidity [2] [1]. Forbes Advisor’s methodology looks at momentum and an underlying thesis rather than raw token price when naming top coins [4]. CryptoNews states it prioritized value, real utility and liquidity when calling something “affordable” [2].
2. Examples frequently named as lower‑priced options in late‑2025
Multiple outlets list Cardano (ADA), Ripple/XRP, Dogecoin (DOGE) and Solana (SOL) among accessible or “cheap” tokens to consider: CoinGape’s roundup highlights Cardano and XRP specifically [1]; CryptoNews and Nasdaq pieces discuss DOGE and Solana as popular lower‑unit‑price or low‑fee networks worth attention [2] [5]. Forbes Advisor’s top lists also include a mix of major and lower‑priced tokens while emphasizing broader screening [4].
3. Different investor goals point to different “cheap” picks
If your priority is low trading/transaction cost, articles note networks like Solana offer very low fees and high throughput, which can matter more than per‑coin price for frequent users [3]. If you want passive income or staking, Forbes Advisor highlights stETH for staking liquidity and yield considerations — an example where functionality, not raw price, drives selection [4]. CryptoNews’s ranking favors projects with enterprise ties, audited code and liquidity, again privileging use case over unit price [2].
4. Risk profile — cheaper coins can still be volatile and speculative
Reporting repeatedly warns that “cheap” coins can still be extremely risky. Nasdaq’s roundup stresses that fast‑growing cryptos might either be the “next big thing” or “a total bust,” and investors should only use discretionary capital [5]. Money.com and others emphasize volatility and the influence of upgrades, regulatory shifts and institutional flows on price action [6]. This mainstream caution is echoed by CryptoNews advising measured selection based on fundamentals [2].
5. How journalists and ranking sites choose candidates
Outlets like Forbes Advisor, CoinGape and CryptoNews use different screeners: Forbes focuses on momentum plus a “credible underlying thesis” [4]; CoinGape uses project utility and team criteria to shortlist “cheap” cryptos [1]; CryptoNews explicitly scores projects on utility, community and audited code with liquidity weighting [2]. That explains why lists vary: methodology drives which low‑priced tokens make each editor’s cut [4] [1] [2].
6. Conflicting views and implicit agendas to watch
Editorial lists often mix marketing and analysis. CoinGape’s “best cheap cryptos” framing selects 15 projects using internal expert criteria [1]; CryptoNews admits it aims to find “affordable” tokens with audited projects and liquidity, a value judgment that frames its picks [2]. Commercial sites may also curate for readership interest (memecoins, high‑momentum names) or to highlight exchange listings, so read methodology notes — Forbes explicitly states its screeners [4] [1] [2].
7. Practical next steps if you want to invest
Use the criteria journalists recommend: focus on projects with clear utility, active developer communities, audited code and adequate liquidity rather than unit price alone [2] [1]. For fee‑sensitive activity, consider low‑fee chains like Solana as discussed in multiple guides [3]. And follow mainstream cautions: only invest what you can afford to lose and match tokens to your risk tolerance [5] [2].
Limitations: available sources list specific “cheap” candidates and methodologies but do not provide a definitive ranked list that fits every investor; they also do not offer personalized financial advice [4] [1] [2] [3] [5].