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The Year of the Altcoin
It’s no doubt that 2017 was a remarkable year for Bitcoin, with a single Bitcoin valued at almost $20, 000. That said, Bitcoin’s movements over the last year have certainly paved the way for up-and-coming altcoins.
Alternative coins refer to any other cryptocurrency that isn’t Bitcoin. Based on price growth and market cap, Fortune Jack analysed the top performing altcoins from 2017, to find out where these altcoins will be headed in 2018.
Quick View: The Fastest Growing Altcoins of 2017
2017 PERFORMANCE OF TOP ALTCOINS | ||
Currency | Percentage Growth | Market Cap |
1. Ethereum | 9 162% | $119,952,919,813 |
2. Ripple | 36 018% | $79,398,972,323 |
3. Litecoin | 5 046% | $13,161,359,753 |
4. Bitcoin Cash | 501% | $43,522,892,183 |
5. NEM | 29 842% | $12,785,579,999 |
All stats as of 18 Jan 2018
- Ethereum
Seeing a massive 36 018% return in 2017, Ethereum is first on Fortune Jack’s list of altcoins to watch in 2018. In 2017, the coin overtook Bitcoin, which grew 9 162% compared to Bitcoin’s 1000%. Ethereum is a well-known contender to Bitcoin, not only for its leading growth over the last year, but also for its functionality built on a blockchain with several applications and for being a remarkable investment tool.
- Ripple
The second coin to watch in 2018 is the much talked about Ripple, which has a total market cap of more than $79 billion. The price of Ripple appeals to many, with one token costing as little as $2.05 at the time of writing, compared to $2,574.19 for Bitcoin Cash. Ripple has made remarkable progress in 2017, having the highest growth compared to all coins on this list – growing an unbelievable 36 018% last year. And in December, Ripple overtook Ethereum for the number two spot by market cap.
- Litecoin
Launched in 2011 by a former Google engineer, Litecoin has been referred to as the silver to bitcoin’s gold, with a market cap of $13,161,359,753 and a total circulation of more than 54 million tokens. Popular for drastically reducing the time needed to confirm new transactions while insuring more inclusive use of the coin, this alternative to Bitcoin has a growing following of loyal supporters around the globe.
- Bitcoin Cash
Having only been on the market since August 2017, and created as a result of a hard fork, Bitcoin Cash has earned the fourth spot on this list of coins to watch in 2018 – with an impressive total market cap of about $43 billion. Each coin costs around $2 574.19 and investors are looking forward to seeing this newer coin outperform some of the bigger altcoins on the market.
- NEM
Having gained the nickname as ‘China’s Ethereum’, NEM is the currency popular for its POI (proof-of-importance) rather than a proof-of-work system. NEM grew 29 842% in 2017, three times the amount than Ethereum did, with a market cap of more than $12.5 billion.
Investing in Altcoins in 2018
With each coin offering something unique to the blockchain user, here’s a breakdown of what makes each coin a good investment this year:
- While Bitcoin has had a volatile 2017, Ethereum’s growth has been consistent, and it’s expected to reach new heights this year. Not only will its value grow, but so will the number of Dapps on its platform – leaving many excited about the prospects for ETH this year.
- Ripple is known for being the centralised, bank-focused digital currency – but it’s not just a currency, it’s also a system on which any currency, including bitcoin, can be traded. Founded by a fintech start-up, the number of XRP circulating is about 7 billion out of a maximum supply of 100 billion – larger than the other currencies on Fortune Jack’s list of coins to watch.
- Heavily influenced by bitcoin during its development, Litecoin is also one of bitcoin’s biggest global competitors. But, it’s also popular for having four times the total number of bitcoins that can be mined, with a lifetime cap of 84 million coins. On top of that, it has a faster block generation rate, thus offering a faster transaction confirmation. And it’s not just for developers or peer-to-peer transactions – LTC can be widely used, from purchasing a can of soda to buying property.
- Bitcoin Cash is said to take over bitcoin this year since prominent Bitcoin figure, Craig Wright, recently announced his backing for BTH over BTC in 2018. Many investors are now looking to altcoins like BTH for better returns, with Bitcoin Cash already beating bitcoin’s slow transaction times and high costs.
- Similar to what Bitcoin does with payments, NEM levels up with its “smart assets” – taking the appeal of bitcoin and applying it to all technological infrastructures. From loans to health records, businesses see the need to invest more into their company’s digital structure. And since anyone is able to use NEM, (yes, you don’t need to be a programmer to use it and NEM allows coding in any language!) the coin has fast-tracked its way onto the list of coins to watch this year.
2018 Predictions
If you’re looking to invest in one of the currencies on this list, market growth for altcoins in 2018 looks great. Bitcoin’s “dominance” factor is currently only 37.5% – 52.5% down from a year ago when it exceeded 90%.
Remember that no currency is protected from investors pulling out, laws changing, or the growing adoption of altcoins. At the time of writing, the crypto market was in the middle of a huge crash amid a major selloff. And even though most of those values have bounced back, the market is well known for its fluctuating nature, because, like any investment, values are subject to change based on uncontrollable and unpredictable factors
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eSports
Mortal cements his name as face of Indian gaming, wins ‘Content Creator of the Year’ at global Esports Awards 2024
Naman Mathur, popularly known as Mortal, has added another feather to his illustrious cap by winning the coveted ‘Content Creator of the Year’ award at the Global Esports Awards 2024 Part 2 in Los Angeles on Friday. The grand ceremony saw Mortal triumph over globally renowned gamers like Tarik Celik, Ibai Llanos Garatea, and Marc ‘Caedrel’ Lamont, solidifying his stature as India’s biggest gamer.
Mortal’s groundbreaking victory marks a significant milestone not only in his personal journey but also for the Indian gaming community at large. The 27-year-old’s illustrious gaming career boasts numerous accolades, including championship titles in BMPS Season 1 (2022) and the PUBG Mobile Club Open (2019) as an esports athlete. He has amassed over 7 million subscribers on YouTube and more than 5.3 million followers on Instagram through his distinctive and impactful content, making him one of India’s most influential gaming personalities.
Speaking on this remarkable achievement, Naman Mathur aka Mortal, Co-founder, S8UL Esports, stated, “Winning this award is an incredible moment of pride, not just for me but for the entire Indian gaming and esports community. My journey began with a simple passion for gaming, and seeing that passion resonate with millions of people is truly humbling. I hope this achievement inspires more young gamers to chase their dreams and believe that they too can earn global recognition through dedication and hard work. I am deeply grateful to S8UL for being the backbone of my journey. This success is not mine alone- it belongs to every fan, every teammate, and every supporter who believed in me and in the potential of Indian esports.”
This was Mortal’s sixth consecutive nomination at the prestigious awards, a feat achieved by no other Indian gamer. Having been nominated for various categories over the years such as ‘Esports Mobile Player of the Year’, ‘Streamer of the Year’ and ‘Esports Personality of the Year’, Mortal’s victory in this edition is a testament to his immense contribution to growing the esports and gaming content ecosystem in India.
“This award holds a deeply personal meaning for me. Watching Mortal achieve this recognition feels like a shared victory- one that takes me back to where it all began. From the late nights to the sacrifices, every moment has led us here. Together, we’re not just creating history; we’re shaping the future of gaming and esports globally. A victory for him, a milestone for Indian esports!” said Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug, Co-founder, S8UL Esports.
The Esports Awards is the most prestigious night in esports, dedicated to showcasing top-tier performance and innovation from players, teams, media, hardware providers, games, events, and personalities within the scene.
“When we first started this journey, we had no idea how far it would take us, but we always knew we were in this together. Mortal has always been like a brother to me, and seeing him win this award feels like a personal achievement. For him to be honoured with this accolade today is a reflection of the countless hours, effort and heart we’ve poured into building who we are and what we stand for,” commented Lokesh ‘Goldy’ Jain, Co-founder, S8UL Esports.
Mortal’s achievement reaffirms India’s rise as a formidable force in the global esports and gaming content landscape.
Asia
Goa Introduces an Entirely Online Lottery Platform
In a move towards modernising India’s lottery sector, the state of Goa has introduced an entirely online lottery platform, sanctioned by the Directorate of Small Savings and Lotteries. This initiative, known as Great Goa Games, aims to bring transparency and convenience to an industry that has long grappled with allegations of mismanagement and fraud.
Ticket sales commenced Monday, with the inaugural draw set for Sunday. Rhiti Group, led by founder Arun Pandey, was granted the license to operate and market the platform. “Our mission is to democratize opportunities through technology,” Pandey stated, emphasizing the secure and user-friendly nature of the app-based system.
Goa government official Narayan Gad lauded the move as a step forward for the Indian lottery sector. “With our online lottery streamlining processes through technology, we are setting a new standard in the lottery industry,” Gad remarked. “The technology-based product will enhance transparency and ensure improved monitoring and regulation of operations.”
This development follows new rules governing online lotteries, introduced by the Goa directorate in February 2023. Currently, 13 states in India, including Goa, allow lottery games, though others have banned them due to concerns over gambling addiction and operational irregularities.
Latest News
Catena Media Announces Board Changes
Catena Media’s board of directors announced the appointment of Stephen Taylor-Matthews as non-executive director and the departure of Øystein Engebretsen from the board of directors.
Based in London, Stephen Taylor-Matthews is a tech entrepreneur, executive advisor and investor with over two decades of experience in online gaming, sports betting and data analytics.
He is the founder of Polynate, an AI-first company delivering next-generation sports engagement solutions, and has worked at Underdog Fantasy, GoatGaming and Betgenius in previous roles.
Stephen Taylor-Matthews commented: “Catena Media is in a transformation phase and I’m excited to be joining the board at this juncture and to contributing my industry expertise and insight.”
The appointment coincides with the departure from the board of Øystein Engebretsen, who has served as non-executive director since September 2018.
Erik Flinck, Chairman of the Board of Directors, said: “Øystein has made a valuable and important contribution to Catena Media for more than six years. I warmly thank him for his efforts and wish him well in his current and future ventures. At the same time, I am delighted to welcome Stephen Taylor-Matthews to the board. His experience and expertise will be a valuable asset for Catena Media as we move forward.”
Stephen Taylor-Matthews’ appointment will become effective once all necessary filings are made with the Malta Business Registry, and his term will run up until the end of the next annual general meeting, in accordance with the Maltese Companies Act and Catena Media’s articles of association.
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