The top 10 cryptos under $1 are attracting serious attention from experts this May 2025, and for good reason. While Bitcoin and Ethereum continue making headlines with their five-figure valuations, savvy investors are quietly building positions in these affordable alternatives.
In fact, price is often misleading in cryptocurrency markets. A token trading at $0.50 today could potentially deliver superior percentage returns compared to established giants. Additionally, many of these affordable projects offer compelling use cases, from revolutionary payment systems to decentralized application platforms.
Fortunately, you don't need thousands of dollars to start building a diversified crypto portfolio. This guide specifically examines the most promising sub-dollar cryptocurrencies that experts are accumulating right now. From meme coin sensations like Shiba Inu and Pepe to established projects like XRP and Cardano, these options offer both accessibility and significant growth potential.
Shiba Inu (SHIB)
Shiba Inu emerged as a standout performer among the top 10 cryptos under $1, currently trading at $0.00001600 as of May 10, 2025. Despite its origins as a Dogecoin competitor, SHIB has evolved far beyond its meme coin roots.
SHIB use case
Originally launched in 2020 as a decentralized, community-led currency, SHIB now powers a diverse ecosystem. Beyond serving as a speculative asset, SHIB functions as the primary token within ShibaSwap, the project's decentralized exchange. Furthermore, SHIB can be used for transactions on the Shibarium Layer-2 network, where a portion of tokens used for each transaction is burned to reduce supply. The ecosystem also includes metaverse development and NFT projects, creating multiple utility channels for this formerly pure meme token.
SHIB price performance
SHIB delivered one of the greatest returns in financial market history during 2021, with a mind-boggling 45,278,000% gain. More recently, SHIB ended 2024 with a solid 97% increase. During May 2025, SHIB has shown remarkable volatility, jumping 12.34% on May 8th alone. Currently, over 104.14 trillion SHIB (valued at $1.27 billion) is "in the money," though approximately 846.99 trillion tokens remain at a loss.
SHIB staking rewards
Staking SHIB offers holders a passive income opportunity through several avenues:
- ShibaSwap: Earns "Woof returns" through a process called "burying" with rewards in xBONE, xSHIB, and xLEASH distributed weekly. However, only 33% can be immediately redeemed, with 67% locked for six months.
- Binance: Offers flexible savings (0.005% APR) and locked staking options with higher returns (up to 0.3% APR for 120-day commitments).
- Other exchanges: Kraken, Coinbase, Gemini, and KuCoin also offer SHIB staking with APY ranging from 5% to potentially 15%.
SHIB community sentiment
The Shiba Inu community remains remarkably resilient, with sentiment metrics showing the current Fear and Greed Index at 78 (Greed) as of May 2025. Notably, 78% of Shiba Inu holders are maintaining long-term positions despite price fluctuations. This community strength is reflected in whale activity, with a recent transfer of 220 billion SHIB (valued at $4.63 million) from Binance to private wallets, indicating institutional confidence.
Pepe (PEPE)
Pepe has emerged as an unexpected contender among the top 10 cryptos, currently priced at around $0.000012. This frog-themed meme coin, launched in April 2023, quickly captured market attention by surging an astonishing 7,000% within just 17 days of its debut.
PEPE use case
Unlike traditional cryptocurrencies, PEPE openly acknowledges its limited utility. According to its official website, "PEPE is a meme coin with no intrinsic value or expectation of financial return". Nevertheless, PEPE operates as an ERC-20 token on the Ethereum blockchain with two key mechanisms: a deflationary system that burns tokens with each transaction, creating scarcity, and a redistribution protocol that rewards long-term holders. Some platforms are exploring potential applications for PEPE within decentralized applications, governance voting, and incentivization systems.
PEPE price performance
PEPE's journey has been remarkably volatile yet impressive. After reaching its all-time high of $0.000025, PEPE experienced a significant correction but subsequently stabilized. Recent performance shows:
- 24-hour growth: +8.03%
- 7-day growth: +64.54%
- Monthly growth: +102.59%
- Yearly growth: +53.74%
With a current market capitalization of approximately $5.01 billion, PEPE ranks 28th among tradable assets on Coinbase. Essentially, PEPE has maintained strong momentum despite price fluctuations.
PEPE staking potential
Although initially not designed for staking, PEPE has subsequently found its way into several staking platforms. Services like YouHodler offer up to 15% APY, whereas CoinsUnited provides competitive rates reaching 13% APY. Another platform claims potential returns of up to 295.94% APY, although such figures should be viewed cautiously. Staking PEPE provides multiple benefits, including passive income generation, network security contributions, and auto-compounding options.
PEPE community sentiment
The PEPE community, although smaller than its canine-themed competitors, remains particularly active. Currently, PEPE has under 800,000 followers on social media, compared to DOGE's millions. Still, whale activity signals institutional confidence, with one notable purchase of 500 billion tokens worth $4.36 million. The fear and greed index for PEPE presently stands at 70 (Greed), illustrating the optimistic market sentiment surrounding this meme coin.
Floki Inu (FLOKI)
Floki Inu stands among the top 10 cryptos under $1 gaining recognition, trading at $0.00010588 as of May 10, 2025. Named after Elon Musk's Shiba Inu dog, FLOKI has evolved beyond its meme origins to become a versatile cryptocurrency with substantial utility.
FLOKI use case
Originally launched as a meme token, FLOKI has transformed into a multi-chain ecosystem operating on both Ethereum and Binance Smart Chain networks. This dual-chain approach provides users with Ethereum's security alongside BSC's lower fees and faster transactions. The project rests on three core pillars: meme status, utility, and charitability. FLOKI powers several flagship projects:
- Valhalla: An NFT gaming metaverse where players earn rewards through a play-to-earn model
- FlokiFi: A suite of DeFi products including the "FlokiFi Locker" for securing digital assets
- FlokiPlaces: A marketplace for NFTs and merchandise
- University of Floki: An educational platform for crypto literacy
FLOKI price history
FLOKI has demonstrated impressive growth, surging over 471% from early 2024 to October. Recent price action shows significant volatility yet consistent upward momentum. Between April 10 and May 10, 2025, FLOKI climbed from $0.00005241 to $0.00010588, representing a 102% increase in just one month. Moreover, early investors reportedly saw gains of up to 76,000% since its 2021 launch.
FLOKI staking rewards
FLOKI offers lucrative staking opportunities across multiple platforms. Stakers can lock tokens for periods ranging from 3 months to 4 years, with longer commitments yielding higher returns. Maximum yields reach 21.73% APY for 4-year commitments on Ethereum and 21.16% on BNB Chain. Rewards are paid in TokenFi (TOKEN), FLOKI's sister token. Early withdrawal incurs penalties ranging from 5% (3-month stakes) to 20% (4-year stakes).
FLOKI community support
The self-proclaimed "Floki Vikings" community drives much of the token's success. With over 490,000 holders globally, this active community organizes "social media raids" across platforms like X and Reddit to increase visibility. Their grassroots marketing efforts have included Times Square billboards and London bus advertisements. Approximately 20% of the total FLOKI supply remains staked, demonstrating strong community confidence in the project's long-term potential.
Dogecoin (DOGE)
Dogecoin remains a powerful player among the top 10 cryptos under $1, currently trading at $0.23 with a market capitalization of $34.84 billion. Originally created in 2013 as a lighthearted alternative to Bitcoin, this pioneer meme coin has forged a unique identity in the cryptocurrency space.
DOGE use case
Beyond its memetic origins, Dogecoin has established practical utility through several channels. Primarily, DOGE excels in tipping and microtransactions thanks to its low fees and fast confirmation times. Content creators across Reddit, Twitter, and Twitch receive DOGE tips as appreciation for their work. Furthermore, Tesla's decision to accept DOGE as payment for select merchandise demonstrated its viability for retail transactions. The coin has likewise gained recognition for funding charitable initiatives, from sponsoring Olympic athletes to building wells in Africa.
DOGE price performance
DOGE has demonstrated remarkable price action throughout its history. After starting 2025 at $0.43, it experienced volatility, dropping to $0.13 at its lowest point. Currently, DOGE shows strong momentum with a 14% 24-hour increase and 34.9% year-over-year growth. Most impressively, DOGE delivered an astonishing 3,539% return in 2021, reaching an all-time high of $0.75 after Elon Musk publicly endorsed the cryptocurrency.
DOGE inflation model
Unlike Bitcoin's capped supply, Dogecoin employs a distinctive inflationary model with a fixed yearly issuance of 5 billion coins. Consequently, as the total supply increases, the inflation rate naturally decreases over time. This predictable inflation makes DOGE particularly suitable as an actual currency rather than merely a store of value. Currently, approximately 149.2 billion DOGE are in circulation, with 10,000 new coins added every minute.
DOGE community strength
Dogecoin's passionate global community, often called the "Doge Army," remains its greatest asset. This dedicated following drives adoption through social media campaigns and fundraising initiatives. The community's charitable endeavors have included funding the Jamaican bobsled team's Olympic participation and supporting clean water projects. Dogecoin's approachable, memetic identity makes it particularly welcoming for cryptocurrency newcomers, contributing to its sustained relevance despite market volatility.
XRP (XRP)
With a current price of $2.37, XRP has established itself as a valuable asset among the top 10 cryptos with significant growth potential. Beyond its price point, XRP's recent legal victories have positioned it uniquely in the cryptocurrency market.
XRP use case
Created in 2012 specifically for payments, XRP functions primarily as a bridge currency in cross-border transactions. Its technology enables settlements in just 3-5 seconds, significantly faster than traditional banking systems that can take days. Financial institutions leverage XRP to facilitate more affordable global payments, effectively eliminating the need for pre-funding accounts in multiple currencies. This utility extends to both institutional and individual users, who can move different currencies worldwide with minimal friction. Additionally, XRP serves central bank digital currency (CBDC) initiatives, further cementing its practical applications in global finance.
XRP price history
XRP has demonstrated remarkable performance, surging 350% over the past year, substantially outpacing Bitcoin's 70% gain and Solana's 14% increase. Ethereum, in contrast, declined 23% during the same period. Since early May 2025, XRP has exhibited steady growth, climbing from $2.19 on May 1 to $2.32 on May 8 (a 9.5% daily jump), and reaching $2.37 by May 10. This upward trajectory coincides with significant developments in XRP's regulatory status. Importantly, its market capitalization of approximately $135 billion already factors in substantial future growth potential.
XRP legal clarity
Perhaps XRP's most significant advantage is its recent settlement with the SEC, establishing it as the only cryptocurrency with clear legal recognition in the United States. The SEC formally acknowledged that XRP is not considered a security when traded on public exchanges, ending nearly four years of legal uncertainty. This regulatory clarity has already yielded tangible benefits, including the launch of CFTC-regulated XRP futures products in the U.S. market, demonstrating increased institutional confidence.
XRP investor interest
Investor enthusiasm for XRP is evident through surging trading volumes, which recently spiked from $1.20 billion to $4.20 billion. Moreover, nine companies have already filed with the SEC to launch XRP ETFs, signaling strong institutional interest. The potential inclusion of XRP in the U.S. crypto stockpile by year's end further validates its growing prominence. For long-term investors, XRP's clear regulatory status offers unique advantages in a market often plagued by legal uncertainties.
Cardano (ADA)
Cardano stands out as a research-driven blockchain among the top 10 cryptos under $1, currently priced at $0.82. As a third-generation blockchain, it has recently overtaken Ethereum in development activity, averaging 449 daily GitHub commits compared to Ethereum's 183.
ADA use case
Built as a "third-generation blockchain," Cardano functions as a Layer 1 protocol providing infrastructure for decentralized applications, asset tokenization, and cross-chain interoperability. Its Extended UTXO model allows for parallel transaction processing, improved smart contract isolation, and enhanced security. Beyond typical cryptocurrency functions, Cardano enables real-world asset tokenization, supply chain traceability, and identity verification solutions. The platform's partnership with the Ethiopian government for identity digitization showcases its commitment to practical utility beyond financial transactions.
ADA price performance
ADA reached its all-time high of $3.09 in September 2021, yet subsequently experienced market corrections alongside the broader crypto sector. Recently, ADA has shown impressive recovery, increasing by 120% in a short timeframe. Its current market capitalization of approximately $29.59 billion ranks it 9th among all cryptocurrencies. Throughout 2025, ADA has demonstrated renewed momentum thanks to growing confidence in its ecosystem and technical developments.
ADA staking rewards
Cardano's proof-of-stake mechanism offers liquid staking without lock-up periods, allowing holders to earn approximately 1.69% annual rewards. Currently, 60.69% of eligible tokens (about 21.4 billion ADA) are staked, creating a staking market cap of $17.60 billion. Cardano's staking system uniquely incorporates "pledging," where stake pool operators can commit their own ADA to make pools more attractive to delegators. The protocol's design ensures that rewards increase with stake size up to a saturation point, preventing excessive centralization.
ADA developer ecosystem
The developer community remains Cardano's cornerstone, with its ecosystem boasting over 3,000 registered stake pools. This vibrant environment has consistently shown remarkable activity, with developers submitting 21,440 commits across 550 core repositories over a 12-month period. Cardano's upcoming Bitcoin OS bridge and integration with XRP via Lace Wallet exemplify its continuous innovation. The foundation actively solicits developer feedback through annual surveys, addressing pain points in tooling, documentation, and open-source contributions.
Stellar Lumens (XLM)
Stellar Lumens operates a unique open-source blockchain network within the top 10 cryptos, currently valued at $0.31 as of May 10, 2025. This versatile cryptocurrency has established itself through strategic partnerships and cross-border payment capabilities.
XLM use case
Primarily designed as a financial infrastructure, Stellar enables various payment and remittance applications globally. The network unites communities to transform traditional financial systems through faster transactions. Unlike other cryptocurrencies, XLM specializes in connecting diverse financial institutions, facilitating cross-border transfers within seconds instead of days. Hence, its architecture supports tokenization of real-world assets alongside digital dollars. Additionally, XLM powers on/off-ramps between fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies, making it exceptionally valuable for regions still dependent on cash payments.
XLM price history
XLM has demonstrated remarkable price resilience across market cycles. Throughout 2025, the token showed steady growth, increasing from $0.26 on May 6 to $0.31 by May 10. Prior to this, XLM reached a six-month high of $0.20. For historical context, XLM achieved its all-time high of $0.93 on January 4, 2018. The cryptocurrency's year-over-year performance shows impressive growth of 169.69% compared to May 2024. Simultaneously, XLM currently maintains a market capitalization of approximately $9.57 billion with a 24-hour trading volume of $179.62 million.
XLM partnerships
Stellar's integration with major financial institutions sets it apart in the cryptocurrency ecosystem. Notably, Mastercard incorporated Stellar's blockchain into its Crypto Credential solution, enhancing XLM's credibility in mainstream finance. Franklin Templeton adopted the Stellar network for their OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund, which now holds over $270 million in assets. Meanwhile, other significant partners include MoneyGram, Circle (issuer of USDC), and numerous payment platforms globally. These strategic alliances have positioned XLM as a bridge between traditional financial systems and blockchain technology.
XLM community sentiment
Currently, market sentiment surrounding XLM is decisively bullish, with the Fear & Greed Index showing "Extreme Greed" at level 90. Technical indicators reveal strong buying signals with momentum building near critical resistance levels. Certainly, analysts have identified $0.62 as the immediate resistance target, followed by XLM's all-time high of $0.93. Beyond these thresholds, long-term projections suggest a potential target of $2.46. Overall, approximately 88% of technical indicators favor positive predictions for XLM.
TRON (TRX)
TRON has established itself as a formidable blockchain platform within the top 10 cryptos, trading at $0.26 as of May 10, 2025. Founded in 2017 by Justin Sun, this high-performing network has gained recognition for its efficiency and practical applications.
TRX use case
TRON's native cryptocurrency TRX powers a diverse ecosystem spanning multiple sectors. The platform excels in gaming, enabling developers to build play-to-earn experiences with seamless gameplay. Beyond gaming, TRX facilitates content creation and distribution, allowing artists to retain control of their intellectual property while receiving fair compensation. The token serves multiple functions: paying transaction fees, participating in network governance through voting for super representatives, and accessing various decentralized applications. TRX also anchors TRON's vibrant DeFi landscape, supporting lending platforms, liquidity provision, and yield farming.
TRX price performance
TRX has demonstrated impressive strength throughout 2024-2025, substantially outperforming market leaders. The token surpassed Bitcoin by nearly 27% and exceeded the broader altcoin market by 50%. TRX reached a new all-time high of $0.43 with a market capitalization of $9.54 billion at its peak. Currently valued around $0.26, TRX has gained 106.88% over the past year. Technical analysts note that TRX is showing signs of a potential breakout with a target of $0.32.
TRX staking options
Investors can earn passive income through TRX staking, which yields approximately 4.62% annual returns. The process requires no lock-up periods, allowing flexibility for holders. Staking platforms like Kraken offer returns between 4-6% APY, yet these reward rates may vary based on market conditions. TRX staking additionally provides governance power, allowing participants to vote on network development decisions.
TRX adoption trends
TRON consistently ranks among leading public layer-1 blockchains for network activity. The platform has surpassed 300 million total wallets with 177 million holders. Daily active addresses increased by 20% year-over-year, second only to Solana. TRON handles over 8.4 million daily transactions, processing more than $10 billion in daily transfer volume. Remarkably, TRON dominates blockchain fee collection with $2.8 billion over the past year, representing nearly 48% market share.
Kaspa (KAS)
Kaspa represents a technological breakthrough among the top 10 cryptos under $1, currently priced at $0.11 with its innovative blockDAG architecture. This proof-of-work cryptocurrency implements the GHOSTDAG protocol, which fundamentally transforms how blockchain transactions are processed.
KAS use case
Unlike traditional blockchains, Kaspa doesn't orphan blocks created in parallel but allows them to coexist in consensus. This architecture enables remarkably fast transaction speeds of one block per second, with future goals of 10 blocks per second and aspirations for 100 blocks per second. Beyond this technical advantage, Kaspa includes features like Reachability for querying DAG topology, block data pruning, SPV proofs, and subnetwork support that will simplify future layer 2 implementations. Uniquely, Kaspa maintains the security level of proof-of-work environments while supporting high block rates.
KAS price performance
Kaspa reached its all-time high of $0.21 on August 1, 2024, and is currently trading about 48% below that peak. With a market capitalization of approximately $2.83 billion, Kaspa ranks 51st on CoinGecko. Throughout May 2025, KAS has shown a positive trend with a 4.20% increase in 24 hours. Indeed, KAS has outperformed Bitcoin by 22.22% in the last month, demonstrating its growing strength in the market.
KAS mining model
Kaspa operates on the modified kHeavyHash algorithm, specially designed for forward-compatibility with Photonic miners. The cryptocurrency follows a distinctive monetary policy where emissions decrease geometrically over time based on the 12-note scale of music, known as the chromatic phase. According to the emission schedule, approximately 87.4% of the total supply (or 25.1 billion KAS) was mined by January 2025. To put it differently, by July 2026, roughly 95% of all Kaspa would have been mined.
KAS community growth
At its core, Kaspa is entirely community-driven with no central governance or business model. The project launched fairly in November 2021 with no pre-mine, zero pre-sales, and no coin allocations. Especially noteworthy is the Community Marketing Fund (CMF), which focuses on grassroots marketing activities and strategic operations worldwide. Primarily, Kaspa's Ambassador Program expanded from a few regional representatives to over 30 global ambassadors by late 2023, organizing meetups and representing Kaspa at conferences across multiple countries.
Internet Computer (ICP)
Internet Computer distinguishes itself among the top 10 cryptos with its revolutionary blockchain design, currently priced at $5.50 as of May 2025. This innovative platform aims to rethink how decentralized applications function.
ICP use case
The Internet Computer provides a complete blockchain infrastructure for building virtually any online system without relying on traditional IT services. This "World Computer" supports multiple applications:
- Decentralized social media platforms and web applications
- Enterprise IT systems operating entirely on-chain
- Advanced DeFi applications with direct cross-chain interoperability
- AI models running completely on the blockchain
At its core, ICP offers "canister" smart contracts that can directly serve web experiences by processing HTTP requests. These canisters enable transactions across different blockchains through "Chain Key TX" technology. Beyond merely storing links, Internet Computer is the only blockchain storing all components of NFTs on-chain, including the assets themselves.
ICP price performance
ICP reached an all-time high of $700.65 shortly after its launch in May 2021, yet subsequently experienced a significant correction. Its all-time low stands at $2.87. Currently, ICP holds a market capitalization of approximately $2.93 billion with a circulating supply of 532.8 million tokens. Throughout 2024-2025, ICP has shown promising recovery, outperforming the global cryptocurrency market with a 16.70% increase over a seven-day period.
ICP staking rewards
Staking ICP involves locking tokens in the Network Nervous System (NNS), a sophisticated DAO integrated into the protocol. This process creates "voting neurons" that generate rewards based on participation. Therefore, neurons that vote on every proposal receive maximum benefits. Voting rewards appear as "maturity," which can either be staked further or "spawned" into new ICP tokens. The reward structure incentivizes long-term commitment, with many holders staking for the maximum period of 8 years.
ICP institutional interest
Institutional adoption has accelerated markedly for Internet Computer. Notably, Valor Inc. launched the first ICP exchange-traded product called "1Valour Internet Computer Physical Staking ETP". Additionally, Copper, a leading digital asset custodian, now supports ICP staking for institutional clients. This integration extends institutional access to ICP's flourishing DeFi ecosystem, which includes widely-used applications such as OpenChat, Dragginz, and ELENA AI. Given these developments, institutional confidence in ICP continues to grow steadily.
Conclusion
Affordable cryptocurrencies provide remarkable investment opportunities despite their lower price points. Throughout this exploration of the top 10 cryptos under $1, a clear pattern emerges—price alone fails to determine a token's potential value or utility. Meme coins like SHIB, PEPE, and FLOKI have evolved beyond their playful origins to develop genuine utility through ecosystem expansion and community-driven growth. Meanwhile, established projects such as XRP, ADA, and XLM continue building robust infrastructure for real-world applications across payments, smart contracts, and tokenization.
Certainly, 2025 has demonstrated how these sub-dollar cryptocurrencies can deliver impressive percentage returns that occasionally outpace their higher-priced counterparts. XRP's regulatory clarity provides a significant advantage in an uncertain landscape, while Cardano's research-driven approach and TRON's efficiency showcase different paths to blockchain adoption. Additionally, technological innovations from newcomers like Kaspa's blockDAG architecture and Internet Computer's decentralized web infrastructure represent the cutting edge of blockchain development.
Expert investors recognize that market capitalization, rather than token price, offers a more accurate reflection of a project's overall valuation. Therefore, thorough research into use cases, technical development, community strength, and adoption metrics remains essential before investing, regardless of a token's price point. Although cryptocurrency markets will undoubtedly experience continued volatility, these affordable options present diversification opportunities for investors seeking exposure beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum.
The cryptocurrency landscape of 2025 continues evolving rapidly. Though past performance never guarantees future results, these ten projects demonstrate how innovation, utility, and community engagement can drive value across various price ranges. Smart investors will look beyond price tags to evaluate fundamental strengths when building positions in this dynamic market.