This weekly replace tracks a few of the largest cryptocurrencies by market share: bitcoin and ether. Whereas each are thought of to be high-risk when it comes to investing, the 2 have foundational differences that investors should know. We’ve additionally included XRP, because it was one of many largest cryptocurrencies when this sequence started. In accordance to Wikipedia, a cryptocurrency is “a digital asset designed to work as a medium of change that makes use of cryptography to safe its transactions, to management the creation of extra models, and to confirm the switch of property.”
For a greater understanding of crypto market cycles, learn extra here.
Bitcoin
Bitcoin was the world’s first cryptocurrency and decentralized digital foreign money. The primary bitcoin transaction occurred in early 2009 and has since grown worldwide to a mainstream monetary asset. It’s typically thought of risky, as seen in our first chart, however one can argue that it is usually resilient. Be taught extra about some bitcoin basics for new investors.
Bitcoin’s closing worth was down this week to $112,000, its lowest stage in two weeks. BTC is up ~19% yr to date and is ~9% beneath its file shut from August 2025.
Ether
Ether is a cryptocurrency run on the Ethereum blockchain platform and was launched in July 2015. It has the second largest market share, regardless of being the most recent of the three mentioned on this article.
Ether’s closing worth hit its lowest stage in 5 weeks, falling almost 8% from final week. ETH is at present up ~24% yr to date is ~14et% beneath its file shut from August 2025.
XRP
XRP, which is owned by Ripple, was launched in 2012 and was one of many bigger cryptocurrencies for a while till new cash joined the market.
Bitcoin vs. Ether vs. XRP
An index has been created so as to chart these three cryptocurrencies collectively, contemplating their considerably totally different pricing histories. A logarithmic scale is used on the y-axis of this chart to higher illustrate the relative share adjustments and long-term progress of those cryptocurrencies, as opposed to their absolute worth fluctuations. The chart tells us which cryptocurrency’s worth has modified probably the most since November 9, 2017. At one level or one other, all three have been on the high. On the time of writing, bitcoin is within the lead.
On January tenth, 2024, the SEC accredited spot bitcoin ETFs from a variety of issuers equivalent to Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF (GBTC), iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC), ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB), Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB), Coinshares Valkyrie Bitcoin Fund (BRRR). Listed below are a few of the quick takeaways from the spot bitcoin ETF launch.
On July twenty third, 2024, a handful of spot ether ETFs launched from a variety of issuers equivalent to Grayscale Ethereum Trust (ETHE), Franklin Ethereum ETF (EZET), Bitwise Ethereum ETF (ETHW), iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA), Fidelity Ethereum ETF (FETH). Right here’s what investors need to know.
