The cryptocurrency market is gaining momentum again, with data-driven analysis pointing to several standout tokens for investors. According to a proprietary ranking system that applies Z-scores for balanced comparisons across market cap, liquidity, and age, the top cryptos to watch right now include Bitcoin, Solana, XRP, Ethereum, Cardano, Hyperliquid, and Hedera Hashgraph.
This list arrives at a critical moment, as the rollback of key Trump-era tariffs has reinvigorated global market confidence. Combined with growing institutional activity in the crypto space, these factors make June an opportune time to consider strategic investments in digital assets.
Bitcoin (BTC): The Dominant Force in Crypto
Topping the rankings is Bitcoin, the world’s original and most capitalised cryptocurrency. Known as “digital gold,” Bitcoin has seen its price rise by 11.41% over the past month, fuelled by strong inflows into Bitcoin ETFs and renewed institutional interest.
As of 4 June 2025, Bitcoin is priced at $105,451 with a market cap of $2.10 trillion. Although it dipped by 3.18% over the past week, its year-to-date (YTD) gain stands at a robust 52.84%. Recognised as a commodity by the SEC and CFTC, Bitcoin is even held in sovereign reserves and is expected to be part of the U.S. Strategic Cryptocurrency Reserve.
Solana (SOL) and XRP: Alternative Leaders for Speed and Payments
Solana, ranking second on the list, has become a favourite among developers for its high-speed, low-fee transactions. Powered by a unique hybrid of proof-of-history (PoH) and proof-of-stake (PoS), Solana can process up to 50,000 transactions per second, making it a compelling Ethereum competitor.
Despite a year-to-date decline of 5.25% and a 10% fall over the last week, Solana remains a long-term bet with a current price of $156.91 and a market cap of $81.99 billion. Upcoming upgrades like Firedancer are aimed at improving scalability.
XRP, meanwhile, continues to shine in the cross-border payment sector. Ripple’s native token is supported by over 300 financial institutions, following its 2023 legal victory against the SEC, which confirmed that XRP is not a security. Trading at $2.25 with a market cap of $132.26 billion, XRP has posted an eye-catching 333.48% YTD return.
Ethereum (ETH) and Cardano (ADA): Smart Contracts and Sustainable Growth
Ethereum remains the go-to blockchain for smart contract development. Despite a 29.83% drop in its value this year, it retains its place as the second-largest cryptocurrency with a market cap of $318.67 billion. Priced at $2,639.65, Ethereum recently rolled out its Pectra upgrade (May 7), which aims to improve network efficiency. The recent approval of Ether spot ETFs is another bullish signal for investors.
Ethereum
Cardano, meanwhile, appeals to those favouring a research-backed, sustainable blockchain. It uses the energy-efficient Ouroboros PoS protocol and is focused on real-world use cases such as voting systems. ADA is trading at $0.69 with a market cap of $24.73 billion. Though it dropped 6.80% over the past week, its YTD return remains strong at 53.39%.
Hyperliquid (HYPE): Blending DeFi and Speed
Hyperliquid is a newer entrant gaining traction for offering decentralised perpetual futures trading on a custom Layer 1 blockchain. HYPE, its native token, powers governance and transaction fees. The platform balances decentralised transparency with the trading speed of centralised exchanges, making it beginner-friendly without sacrificing performance.
As of early May, HYPE was trading at $24.61 with a market cap of $8.22 billion. It has surged 530.64% YTD and rose over 20% in the last week alone, signalling rising market confidence in its unique hybrid exchange model.
Hedera Hashgraph (HBAR): An Enterprise-Ready Ledger
Hedera Hashgraph sets itself apart with its use of Hashgraph technology, which offers faster and more energy-efficient transactions than traditional blockchain systems. HBAR is used for paying transaction fees and securing the network through PoS voting.
Hedera Hashgraph
Backed by a governing council that includes major firms like Google and IBM, Hedera boasts a level of credibility uncommon in crypto. As of 28 May, HBAR is priced at $0.18 with a market cap of $6.68 billion and has delivered a 79.39% YTD return despite a recent weekly dip of 5.26%.
Conclusion: Data-Driven Choices in a Rebounding Market
With market sentiment turning positive due to global policy changes and a surge in institutional interest, investors are looking at cryptocurrencies with strong fundamentals and clear utility. Whether it’s Bitcoin’s dominance, Solana’s speed, XRP’s cross-border capabilities, or the innovation behind newer tokens like HYPE, the data suggests a compelling case for selective, long-term investment in crypto this June.
