Best Crypto to Buy Besides Bitcoin: Top Picks and Strategies

By Alex Assoune Dec 04, 2025

Bitcoin (BTC) has long dominated the cryptocurrency market as the gold standard of digital assets. However, many investors are looking to diversify their portfolios and explore other cryptocurrencies with strong growth potential.

In this guide, we’ll cover the best crypto to buy besides Bitcoin, why they’re promising, and how to approach investing in them strategically.

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Why Diversify Beyond Bitcoin?

While Bitcoin is the most established and widely recognized cryptocurrency, investing only in BTC may limit your growth potential.

Reasons to diversify:

Exposure to emerging technologies – Many altcoins power smart contracts, decentralized finance (DeFi), and AI-powered platforms.
Higher growth potential – Smaller or mid-cap coins can outperform Bitcoin during bull runs.
Reduced risk – Spreading investments across multiple assets can reduce dependence on a single cryptocurrency’s performance.

Diversifying doesn’t mean abandoning Bitcoin — it means building a balanced portfolio to capture opportunities beyond BTC.

1. Ethereum (ETH) – The Smart Contract Leader

Why Ethereum is a top choice:

Powers the largest decentralized ecosystem: DeFi, NFTs, DAOs, and smart contracts.
Transitioned to Ethereum 2.0, improving scalability and reducing energy consumption.
Strong institutional adoption and developer activity.

Risk level: Medium
Use case: Technology backbone of blockchain applications
Portfolio allocation suggestion: 20–40% of altcoin investments

2. Large-Cap Layer 1 Blockchains

Layer 1 blockchains are platform coins that host decentralized applications and smart contracts.

Examples:

Solana (SOL) – High-speed, low-cost blockchain with a growing ecosystem.
Avalanche (AVAX) – Known for fast transactions and cross-chain capabilities.
Cardano (ADA) – Peer-reviewed technology and sustainable growth focus.
Cosmos (ATOM) – Interoperable network connecting multiple blockchains.

Why invest: These platforms challenge Ethereum with faster, cheaper solutions and have strong developer communities.

Risk level: Medium–High
Portfolio allocation suggestion: 20–30%

3. DeFi Blue Chips

DeFi tokens are part of the decentralized finance ecosystem, which allows lending, borrowing, and trading without intermediaries.

Top DeFi coins:

Chainlink (LINK) – Provides decentralized oracles to feed smart contracts real-world data.
Uniswap (UNI) – Leading decentralized exchange (DEX).
Aave (AAVE) – Platform for decentralized lending and borrowing.

Why invest: They are essential infrastructure tokens with real utility.

Risk level: High
Portfolio allocation suggestion: 10–15%

4. AI and Infrastructure Tokens

Cryptocurrencies integrating with AI and infrastructure solutions are gaining traction as the next tech frontier.

Promising examples:

Render (RNDR) – AI rendering and GPU computing network.
Fetch.ai (FET) – AI-driven automation and agent-based network.
Arweave (AR) – Permanent decentralized storage solution.

Why invest: Combining AI and blockchain is a high-growth narrative with long-term potential.

Risk level: High
Portfolio allocation suggestion: 5–10%

5. Stablecoins – Safe Havens in Crypto

Stablecoins are pegged to fiat currencies like USD and provide stability and liquidity.

Top stablecoins:

USDC (USD Coin)
USDT (Tether)

Why invest:

Store value safely in crypto
Earn yield through lending or staking
Hold funds ready for buying dips

Risk level: Very low

How to Build a Balanced Crypto Portfolio

Here’s an example allocation for a diversified crypto portfolio besides Bitcoin:

40% Ethereum (ETH)
20% Large-cap Layer 1s (SOL, AVAX, ADA, ATOM)
15% DeFi tokens (LINK, UNI, AAVE)
10% AI and infrastructure tokens (RNDR, FET, AR)
15% Stablecoins (USDC, USDT)

Adjust percentages based on risk tolerance:

Conservative: Focus on ETH and stablecoins
Balanced: Mix Layer 1s, DeFi, and AI tokens
Aggressive: Higher allocation to emerging altcoins

Strategies for Buying Altcoins

1. Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA)

Invest a fixed amount regularly into selected altcoins. This reduces risk and averages out volatility.

2. Allocate for Major Dips

Reserve some funds to buy during market corrections, capturing more coins at lower prices.

3. Research Before Investing

Check team credibility
Review use cases and adoption
Examine tokenomics and supply limits

4. Avoid Hype-Only Coins

Pump-and-dump coins are high-risk
Focus on coins with real-world utility

Factors to Consider When Choosing Altcoins

Market capitalization – Larger caps are more stable; smaller caps have higher potential but higher risk.
Use case – Coins solving real problems are more likely to succeed.
Community & developer support – A strong community boosts adoption.
Regulatory outlook – Avoid coins that may face legal challenges.

FAQs: Best Crypto to Buy Besides Bitcoin

Q: Should I invest in one altcoin or multiple?
A: Diversifying across several promising altcoins reduces risk while capturing growth potential.

Q: How much should I allocate to altcoins vs Bitcoin?
A: Many experts recommend 60–70% Bitcoin, 30–40% altcoins for long-term investors.

Q: Are DeFi and AI tokens too risky?
A: They are high-risk/high-reward. Allocate only what you can afford to hold long-term.

Q: Can I use DCA for altcoins too?
A: Absolutely. DCA works for all crypto assets to reduce timing risk.

Conclusion

While Bitcoin remains the cornerstone of any crypto portfolio, diversifying into other cryptocurrencies is essential for long-term growth. Ethereum, Layer 1 platforms, DeFi tokens, AI-based projects, and stablecoins provide a balanced approach, combining stability, utility, and growth potential.

Smart investing tips:

Use DCA to mitigate volatility
Diversify across strong altcoins
Keep some stablecoins for buying dips
Research coins before investing

By carefully selecting the best crypto to buy besides Bitcoin, you position yourself for growth while reducing overall portfolio risk.

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Disclaimer: The above content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Always do your own research and consider consulting with a licensed financial advisor or accountant before making any financial decisions. Panaprium does not guarantee, vouch for or necessarily endorse any of the above content, nor is responsible for it in any manner whatsoever. Any opinions expressed here are based on personal experiences and should not be viewed as an endorsement or guarantee of specific outcomes. Investing and financial decisions carry risks, and you should be aware of these before proceeding.

About the Author: Alex Assoune

Alex Assoune (MS) is a global health and environmental advocate. He founded Panaprium to inspire others with conscious living, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Alex has worked in many countries to address social and environmental issues. He speaks three languages and holds two Master of Science degrees in Engineering from SIGMA and IFPEN schools.

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