Now: Top Coins Under $1

Steven Walgenbach

May 17

Investors often seek the best cheap crypto to buy now, focusing on digital coins trading below $1. These “penny” cryptocurrencies can offer an accessible entry point for beginners and have growth potential if they power useful networks.

A coin’s price under $1 does not automatically mean it’s a bargain; its market capitalization (price × circulating supply) is a better measure of size. For example, a low-priced coin with a huge supply (like many meme tokens) can have a market cap comparable to major cryptocurrencies. Still, sub-$1 coins typically allow small-budget investors to own many units easily, potentially magnifying gains.

In a booming market, cheap altcoins can soar. Recent research by Binance suggests that in past bull runs, “altcoins with active development and clear utility…under $1” have seen 10×–100× rebounds. Of course, this high potential comes with volatility. Cheap coins are often early-stage or speculative, so their prices can swing wildly. In general, a larger market cap coin (often above $10B) tends to be more stable, whereas very low-cap cryptos (even if under $1) can rapidly change value.

For context, a coin’s market cap is calculated by multiplying its current price by the number of coins in circulation. A high market cap (like tens of billions) means the project is large and established; a small market cap means it’s more speculative.

Investing in cheap crypto is a balancing act: you get a low entry cost but must accept higher risk. Many sub-$1 projects are “early-stage” and thus more volatile… but also hold massive potential, much like funding a tech startup. Novices should research each coin’s fundamentals (technology, team, use case) rather than chase the lowest price. Stablecoins such as USDT or USDC trade at $1 by design and offer no upside, so they aren’t part of this list. Instead, we highlight crypto projects under $1 with promising short-term catalysts and long-term utility. We also define key terms for beginners and show each coin’s market