Top Cryptocurrencies for 2018: What Are the Best Bitcoin Alternatives?
Important: This position should not be considered as an investment council. The author focuses on the best coins in terms of actual use and adoption, not from a financial or investment perspective.
In 2017, cryptographic markets set the new standard for simple profits. Almost every piece or chip made incredible returns. “A rising tide throws all the boats,” as they say, and the end of 2017 was a deluge. The increase in prices has created a positive feedback cycle, which is attracting more and more capital into Crypto. Unfortunately, but inevitably, this galloping market is leading to a massive investment. Money has been thrown indiscriminately into all kinds of dubious projects, many of which will not bear fruit.
In the current bearish environment, hype and greed are replaced by critical assessment and prudence. Especially for those who have lost money, marketing promises, endless shillings, and charismatic oratorios are no longer sufficient. Well, the basic reasons to buy or hold a coin are Paramount once again.
Fundamental factors in the evaluation of a cryptocurrency-
Some factors tend to conquer the hype and price pumps, at least in the long term:
Adoption Angle
Although the technology of a cryptocurrency or ICO business plan may seem surprising without users, they are just dead projects. It is often forgotten that widespread acceptance is an essential feature of money. It is estimated that over 90% of the value of Bitcoin is a function of the number of users.
While the acceptance of Fiat is entrusted by the State, the acceptance of cryptography is purely voluntary. Many factors play in the decision to accept a coin, but perhaps the most important consideration is the likelihood that others will accept the coin.
Security
Decentralization is essential for the I-push Model of a true cryptocurrency. Without decentralization, we have a little closer to a Ponzi scheme than a real cryptocurrency. Trust in individuals or institutions is the problem-a cryptocurrency tries to solve.
If the dismantling of a coin or a central controller can change the transaction record, it is questioning its basic security. The same applies to parts with unproven code that have not been thoroughly tested over the years. The more you can count on the code to function as described, regardless of human influence, the greater the security of a coin.
Innovation
Valid coins strive to improve their technology, but not at the expense of safety. Real technological progress is rare because it requires a lot of expertise and also wisdom. Although there are Always fresh ideas that can be screwed on, if doing so puts vulnerabilities or critics of the original purpose of a coin, misses the point.
Innovation can be a difficult factor to evaluate, especially for non-technical users. However, if a currency code is stagnated or does not receive updates that deal with important issues, it can be a sign that developers are weak in ideas or motivations.
Incentives
The economic incentives inherent in a currency are easier to grasp for the average person. If a coin had a large pre-mine or an ICO (initial part offer) the team held a significant share of chips, then it is quite obvious that the main motivation is the profit. By purchasing what the team offers, you play your game and enrich it. Be sure to provide a tangible and reliable value in return.
5 cryptocurrencies to buy in 2018
There has never been a better time to re-evaluate and balance a cryptographic portfolio. Based on their solid foundation, here are five pieces that I feel are worth sticking to or maybe buying at their current depressive prices (which, just a warning, could go lower).
#1. Bitcoin (because of its decentralization)
The number one belongs to Bitcoin (BTC), which remains the market leader in all categories. Bitcoin has the highest price, the widest assumption, most of the security (because of the phenomenal energy consumption of Bitcoin mining), the most famous brand identity (the forks have tried to be appropriate), and most of the development are Active and rational. It is also the only piece to date that is represented in the traditional markets in the form of Bitcoin futures trading on the American CME and CBOE.
Bitcoin remains the main engine; The performance of all other parts is highly correlated with Bitcoin’s performance. I expect that the gap between Bitcoin and most-if, not all-other parts will expand.
Bitcoin has several promising innovations in the pipeline that will soon be installed as additional layers or soft forks. Examples are the Flash system (LN), the tree, Schnorr signatures Mimblewimbleund much more.
In particular, we plan to open a new range of applications for Bitcoin, as it allows for large-scale, microtransactions and instant and secure payouts. LN is increasingly stable as users test their different possibilities with real Bitcoin. As it becomes easier to use, it can be presumed to benefit greatly from the adoption of Bitcoin.
#2. Litecoin (because of its persistence)
Litecoin (LTC) is a clone of Bitcoin with a different hash algorithm. Although Litecoin no longer has the anonymity technology of Bitcoin, amazing reports have shown that the adoption of Litecoin in the dark markets is now second, the only bitcoin. Although a currency that I have much more appropriate for the role of acquiring illegal goods and services, perhaps this presents itself as a result of the longevity of Litecoin: It was launched at the end of 2011.
Another factor in Litecoin’s favor is that it integrates the Bitcoin SegWit technology, which means that Litecoin is prepared for LN. Litecoin can benefit from an exchange of atomic chains. In other words, secure peer-to-peer trading of currencies without third parties (i.e. exchange) participation. Since Litecoin keeps its code largely synchronized with Bitcoin, it is well-positioned to benefit from the technical progress of Bitcoin.
#3. Ethereum (because of intelligent contracts)
Ethereum (ETH) has some major problems at the moment. First of all, governments are cracking on ICO, and rightly so: many have turned out to be either fraudulent or bankruptcies. Since most ICO runs on the Ethereum network as an ERC token 20, the ICO mania has brought a lot of value to Ethereum in recent years. If the appropriate rules are taken to protect investors Ethereum projects scams can claim a certain legitimacy as a crowdfunding platform.
The second major problem facing Ethereum is the delayed transition to a new hybrid work and battery detection system. Ethereum mining GPU is currently profitable, but Bitmain has just announced Ethereum ASIC minor, which is likely to have an impact on the lower lines of GPU miners. It remains to be seen whether this will change the POW and how successful this change is going to be.
If Ethereum can survive these two major problems-regulation and mining will have shown great resilience. Otherwise, there are several competing currencies tracking its shadows, such as Ethereum Classic (etc), Cardano (ADA), and EOS.
#4. Monero (because of his anonymity)
Although its adoption in the dark markets is not all that could be expected, I (XMR) remains the privacy of the Prime Minister. His reputation and market capitalization are still above those of his rivals-and for good reason.
Monero’s code requires less confidence that the Zcash “loyal” key ceremony, and had a fair start, unlike Dash. That Monero recently changed his Pow to defeat the development of a small ASIC for his algorithm confirms the commitment of the piece of mining decentralization. A significant drop in the hash rate is due to the new version, which is consistently reported against ASIC. This could also be an opportunity for GPU and even minor CPUs to get back to me. The new version of Monero, 0.12, also includes other improvements that show Monero continues to grow along sensitive lines.
#5. iPRONTO (A decentralized incubation platform)
iPRONTO is an incubation platform Ethereum chain dedicated to investors looking for a safe and reliable platform to invest in new ideas and future innovators that can present their ideas and receive opinions from users, Experts in the field on the practice and implementation of derived ideas.
The ideas of the innovators are supported as the NES in Smart Contract format will be signed between the expert platform and the customer if the business idea of the client is to the Committee for examination and registration on the platform. The idea will not be published for all users on the public platform of the chain, but only for selected members of the target community who are willing to sign the Smart contract to maintain the confidentiality of the idea.
