In June 2025, $BTC
Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL) remain the cornerstones of the cryptocurrency market, each with distinct roles and challenges amid pump-and-dump schemes and geopolitical tensions. Bitcoin (BTC), priced at ~$105,670 (₹88.2 lakh, 1 USD = ₹83.5), is the largest cryptocurrency by market cap, known as “digital gold” for its store-of-value role. Its Proof-of-Work (PoW) blockchain processes ~7 transactions per second (TPS), prioritizing security over speed. Despite its stability, Bitcoin’s high energy consumption and slow transactions limit its use for rapid exchanges, making it less prone to pump-and-dump but sensitive to macro events like Middle East tensions, which recently triggered a dip from $80,818 to $78,565.
$ETH Ethereum (ETH), at ~$3,754 (₹3.13 lakh), dominates decentralized finance (DeFi) and NFTs, hosting 60% of DeFi’s total value locked ($56 billion in March 2024). Its Proof-of-Stake (PoS) upgrade in 2022 reduced energy use but struggles with ~15 TPS and high gas fees ($0.05–$100). Ethereum’s mature ecosystem faces competition from faster blockchains, yet its 800,000+ validators ensure unmatched security. Pump-and-dump risks persist, driven by hype on platforms like X, but institutional interest keeps it resilient.
$SOL Solana (SOL), at ~$156 (₹13,000), excels in speed (4,000–65,000 TPS) and low fees ($0.00025), making it a hub for DeFi, NFTs, and meme coins via platforms like Pump.fun, which generated $575 million in fees since March 2024. Its Proof-of-History (PoH) and PoS hybrid model boosts efficiency but raises centralization concerns with ~2,000 validators. Solana’s 1,872% surge since 2023 attracts speculative pumps, amplified by meme coin culture, but outages and geopolitical fears (e.g., Strait of Hormuz risks) could trigger dumps.
Navigating Risks in India: Available on CoinDCX and WazirX, these coins face volatility from war-related news and pump-and-dump schemes on X and Telegram. Indian investors should use RSI (40–60 for buys), set stop-losses (~5%), and invest only what they can lose. Check CoinGecko or CoinMarketCap for real-time data.Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading is high-risk. Consult a financial advisor before investing.