Top Cryptocurrencies to Buy with $100 in December 2025: Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Emerging Stars Lead the Pack
By Perplexity News Desk | December 23, 2025
As the cryptocurrency market heats up in late December 2025, investors with modest budgets are eyeing opportunities to turn $100 into significant gains. Recent analyses highlight a mix of established giants like Bitcoin and Ethereum alongside high-potential altcoins such as BNB, Solana, and innovative newcomers like Hyperliquid and Bitcoin Hyper.[1][2]
Bitcoin Remains the Cornerstone Investment
Bitcoin (BTC), the original decentralized peer-to-peer cryptocurrency, tops lists for December 2025 investments. Despite market volatility, BTC has shown steady resilience, gaining 5.2% against the US dollar in the last 30 days as of December 22.[1] With a market cap exceeding hundreds of billions, Bitcoin’s dominance makes it a safe entry point for $100 investors seeking long-term stability.
Ethereum (ETH), the leading blockchain for smart contracts, follows closely. It posted a 3.8% gain over the same period, underscoring its role in decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).[1] For beginners, allocating $100 across BTC and ETH provides diversified exposure to the market’s blue-chip assets.
BNB Surges Ahead with Major Exchange Boost
BNB, the native token of the Binance ecosystem, has emerged as the strongest performer among major cryptocurrencies, surging 20.6% in the past month.[1] This rally was fueled by its recent listing on Coinbase, a NASDAQ-traded exchange, marking a pivotal moment despite Binance’s competitive stance. BNB’s utility in trading fees and ecosystem growth positions it ideally for $100 investments aiming for quick returns.
High-Performance Chains: Solana and Uniswap
Solana (SOL), a high-performance blockchain for smart contracts, boasts a $71 billion market cap and is praised for its speed and low costs.[1] It’s a favorite for developers building DeFi apps, making it attractive for investors betting on scalability.
Uniswap (UNI), the biggest decentralized exchange (DEX) on Ethereum with a $3.9 billion market cap, offers exposure to the booming DEX sector.[1] XRP, with its $116 billion valuation and efficiency in cross-border payments, rounds out efficient digital currency picks.[1]
Privacy and Emerging Layer 1s Shine
Privacy-focused Zcash (ZEC), utilizing zero-knowledge proofs, holds a $7.3 billion market cap and appeals to users prioritizing anonymity.[1] Newer entrants like Hyperliquid (HYPE), a layer 1 blockchain handling 100,000 orders per second with minimal fees, have skyrocketed to an $8.3 billion valuation since its 2024 launch. Its decentralized perpetuals trading mimics centralized exchanges, drawing traders.[1]
Chainlink (LINK), the leading decentralized oracle at $9 billion, and Monad (MON), a 2025 scalable EVM-compatible layer 1 with $230 million cap, signal innovation in infrastructure.[1]
Presale Gems for High-Risk, High-Reward Plays
For aggressive investors, presale projects promise explosive growth. Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER), a Layer 2 solution enhancing Bitcoin’s scalability via Lightning Network and ZK-Rollups, has raised $29.52 million at $0.013435 per token. It offers over 41% dynamic APY staking during presale, with just days left before it ends.[2]
Meme coins like Maxi Doge, PepeNode, Little Pepe, and SUBBD are gaining traction with high APYs and unique utilities, such as content profits or equitable rewards.[2] Established players like Cardano and Polkadot provide interoperability and sustainability for balanced portfolios.[2]
| Crypto | Symbol | Launch Year | Market Cap | 30-Day Gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin | BTC | 2009 | $1T+ | 5.2% |
| Ethereum | ETH | 2015 | $400B+ | 3.8% |
| BNB | BNB | 2017 | $80B+ | 20.6% |
| Solana | SOL | 2020 | $71B | – |
| XRP | XRP | 2012 | $116B | – |
Strategic Advice for $100 Investors
With $100, experts recommend splitting investments: 40% in BTC/ETH for stability, 30% in momentum plays like BNB, and 30% in presales like Bitcoin Hyper for upside potential.[1][2] Risks remain high—crypto markets are volatile, and presales carry scam risks. Always use reputable exchanges like Coinbase and conduct due diligence.
“BNB has been by far the strongest performer among major cryptocurrencies recently.”[1]
Market Outlook Heading into 2026
As 2025 closes, bullish sentiment prevails with institutional adoption and tech upgrades. Bitcoin Hyper’s presale ends soon, urging swift action for early birds. Monitor regulatory shifts and macroeconomic cues, as they could sway prices.[1][2]
This landscape offers entry points for small investors, blending proven assets with moonshot opportunities. Stay informed as the crypto space evolves rapidly.