Ethereum has been pulling a lot of media attention in the DeFi space, and rightfully so. Anjali Mehra Anjali is a DeFi opinion columnist, skilled at making complicated topics crystal clear. Today, she’s here to help illuminate what’s been powering Ethereum’s recent fortunes. Rather than bogging you down with heavy technical lingo, she breaks things down into understandable concepts and real-world applications. So, let’s explore what’s fueling Ethereum’s boom and what it means for you.

Top Cryptocurrencies to Invest in for July 2025

The crypto market is ever-changing, and July 2025 is looking to be an exciting time. With a handful of cryptocurrencies clearly outpacing the competition, now is a good time for investors to take a look. Anjali has her eye on a few major players that can provide big dividends.

1. Bitcoin

Bitcoin remains the king of crypto. Being the first and most popular of all cryptocurrencies, it has a strong and tested pedigree. Its limited supply and growing institutional adoption are two important factors that make it a great addition to any portfolio. Bitcoin’s legitimacy and brand recognition offer ballast against risk that gives room for more daring crypto investments to flourish.

2. Ethereum

Ethereum is not just a cryptocurrency, but a platform. More than 55% of the total value locked (TVL) across all major chains is held on Ethereum. This incredible fact is a testament to Ethereum’s dominance in the DeFi environment. Today, July 10, 2025, Ethereum is up 7% and it’s around $2700. This increase is driven by its important position within DeFi and staking. The recent boom in TVL is a testament to the renewed confidence and activity on the Ethereum network.

3. XRP

XRP’s mission is to make cross-border payments cheaper and faster. With its innovative value-added technology as well as strategic collaborations with other financial institutions, it is a strong candidate to revolutionize the payment industry. Despite the recent regulatory challenges XRP has endured, its potential is undeniably great.

4. Solana

Solana has made a name for itself with its high throughput and transactions that cost fractions of a penny. Using the design as a combat zone countermeasure, the proposed design has a leader node to sequence transactions. Smart contract support allows Avalanche to process 3,000–4,000 TPS today, making it a worthy Ethereum competitor. Solana’s scalability has made it an option of choice for many DeFi projects and applications.

5. Kaia

Kaia is a new sustainable and eco-friendly cryptocurrency that aims to empower businesses and communities. With environmental issues climbing to the top of many investors’ agendas, coins like Kaia would likely see increased interest from socially conscious investors. Its commitment to sustainability is what makes it stand out from thousands of other cryptocurrencies.

6. Internet Computer

Internet Computer’s goal is to build a decentralized internet that can serve any website, application, or data. Its unique technology, based on quantum mechanics, has the potential to make conventional cloud computing services obsolete. By making the internet more decentralized, it will give users enhanced security and control.

7. Hyperliquid

Hyperliquid is a decentralized exchange (DEX) purpose-built to deliver the highest-performance trading experience. By offering advanced features alongside low fees, it may appeal to traders who are seeking alternatives to centralized exchanges. Its emphasis on speed and efficiency makes it an exciting place for DeFi practitioners to be.

8. Zcash

Zcash prioritizes privacy and anonymity. By obscuring transaction information using complex cryptographic algorithms, its technology promises users a high level of financial privacy, drawing in users with a strong desire for confidentiality. Counter to the argument above, in an era of preemptive surveillance, privacy coins such as Zcash may become much more attractive.

9. Arbitrum

Arbitrum is an Ethereum Layer-2 scaling solution. It serves to lower Ethereum network’s transaction fees and speed up transaction time. As Ethereum and its use cases expand in size and complexity, the need for scaling solutions like Arbitrum becomes irrefutable.

10. Sui

Sui is an innovative new blockchain platform that enables fast, secure, and cost-effective transactions at scale. Its architecture is the basis for its ambitious goal of addressing the limitations of current blockchain technologies. With its capacity to support massive transaction throughput, Sui can be the best platform for million-user applications.

11. Raydium

Raydium is an automated market maker (AMM) on the Solana blockchain. Bridges like these are helping to create fast, secure, and inexpensive token swaps, accelerating the Solana DeFi ecosystem. Combined with Solana’s high-speed, low-cost ecosystem, it is no wonder MEXC is a preferred destination for trading.

12. BNB

BNB is the native cryptocurrency of Binance, the largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume. It provides users with multiple advantages like lower trading fees on Binance and access to advanced features in the Binance ecosystem. Its growing utility and the growing popularity of world leading Binance make it a great long-term investment choice.

EtherFi (ETHFI) has bagged a significant amount of buzz recently. As of 07/10/2025, it is up an astounding +7.99% gain over the last five trading days. Whether with the development of EtherFi’s ecosystem so far or new integrations with DeFi protocols or AI-driven optimizations, EtherFi is poised for continued expansion.

Ideal Cryptocurrencies for Beginners

For those new to the crypto world, it's essential to start with options that are easy to understand and manage. Anjali’s advice When getting involved in crypto, stay invested in the cryptocurrencies that have a use case and/or community support behind them. A learner-friendly approach This method encourages new learners to jump into the complicated, intimidating world of the stock market with confidence.

Overview of Beginner-Friendly Options

If you are just getting into crypto, look for the more established coins that have a specialized utility. Bitcoin and Ethereum are good ones to begin with. Their very well-known names and accessibility with free educational materials make them great introductory coins. In that case, Ethereum is one of the best options out there! It powers thousands of DeFi applications, gaming dApps, and smart contracts. With more than 1,388 deployed protocols as opposed to Solana’s 232, Ethereum is far and away the leader in protocol deployment.

Another accessible option is Solana. Solana’s technical design revolves around a leader node that sequences all transactions. These days, it’s capable of handling an astounding 3,000 to 4,000 TPS. Cross-chain bridges and interoperability solutions have really opened up DeFi beyond Ethereum, creating a more connected and accessible ecosystem. Together, these solutions reduce complexity and provide more options for beginners to learn how to navigate diverse blockchain networks and DeFi ecosystems.

Here, the intersection of AI with blockchain is front and center in 2025. Projects such as Fetch.ai and ChainML are leading the way on their AI-powered, DeFi-backed real-world use cases. Generally speaking, AI-related crypto projects have experienced a phenomenal increase in market cap. It soared from $2.7 billion in 2023 to more than $36 billion by 2025. These projects offer innovative ways to use AI in the crypto space, making them attractive to beginners interested in cutting-edge technology.

Tips for New Investors

  1. Do Your Research: Understand the basics of blockchain technology and the specific cryptocurrencies you're considering.
  2. Start Small: Invest only what you can afford to lose. The crypto market can be volatile, and it's important to manage your risk.
  3. Use Reputable Exchanges: Choose well-known and secure platforms for buying and selling cryptocurrencies.
  4. Secure Your Investments: Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication to protect your accounts.
  5. Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and trends in the crypto market.

Best Cryptos for Long-Term Investment

Long-term crypto investing is quite different than short-term crypto trading. Anjali’s biggest piece of advice to any city is to go after these kinds of projects with intelligent, innovative fundamentals and a vision for the future. It’s these three factors that can get you 3X or more value from your investments.

Factors to Consider for Long-Term Holding

When figuring out which cryptocurrencies to make long-term investments in, there are a multitude of things that should be considered. Which is why we try to get beyond the hype and bluster to focus on a project’s technology—its disruptive potential—and the strength of its community. Projects that solve real-world problems and have a clear path to adoption are more likely to succeed in the long run.

US DOT noted that an equally important consideration was the governance model for the project. Decentralized governance, where key decisions are made by token holders, helps ensure that the project remains community-driven and more resistant to bad actors. Finally, it's essential to consider the regulatory landscape and how it might impact the project's future.

Ethereum’s total value locked (TVL) skyrocketed from $38.45 billion in December 2022. By January 2025, it had jumped to more than $127.79 billion, a massive 232% jump. DeFi TVL Recovery in 2024 and Beyond: TVL was a small fraction of overall market cap, but interest was growing. 2021 TVL reached a high of $174 billion in November 2021, almost perfectly in line with Bitcoin’s all-time high from that cycle. MakerDAO’s DAI was the first decentralized stable coin and represented a major breakthrough in DeFi lending. These milestones illustrate just how much long-term growth the DeFi space has ahead of it.

Recommended Long-Term Cryptos

  1. Bitcoin: As the original cryptocurrency, Bitcoin has proven its resilience and remains a store of value.
  2. Ethereum: With its smart contract capabilities and growing DeFi ecosystem, Ethereum is poised for long-term growth.
  3. Solana: Its high speed and low costs make it a strong contender in the blockchain space.
  4. EtherFi (ETHFI): EtherFi’s ongoing development, including new integrations with DeFi protocols and AI-driven optimizations, positions it for sustained growth.
  5. Cross-chain bridges: Cross-chain bridges and interoperability solutions have allowed DeFi to expand beyond Ethereum, creating a more connected and accessible ecosystem.

Where to Purchase Cryptocurrencies

Using the best cryptocurrency platform can make a big difference in having a safe and easy purchasing experience. Anjali advises you to prioritize exchanges with robust security features, competitive fees, and a large selection of supported cryptocurrencies. This way, you’ll know you can quickly and easily purchase and cash out on your selected assets.

Top Exchanges for Buying Crypto

  1. Binance: Known for its wide range of cryptocurrencies and advanced trading features.
  2. Coinbase: User-friendly interface and strong security measures make it a great choice for beginners.
  3. Kraken: Offers advanced trading options and a focus on security and compliance.
  4. KuCoin: Provides access to a wide variety of altcoins and innovative features like staking and lending.
  5. Gemini: Focuses on security and compliance, making it a trusted platform for institutional and retail investors.

Security and Fees to Consider

Safety should be the most important crypto exchange feature. Choose services that provide two-factor authentication, cold storage of assets, and routine security audits. Additionally, keep an eye on exchange fees such as trading fees, withdrawal fees, and deposit fees. By comparing fees across all exchanges, you can always find the best value to save on long-term trading costs.

Criteria for Selecting the Best Cryptocurrencies

Deciding who to invest in is extremely important and should involve a great deal of deliberation. Anjali emphasizes the importance of keeping several major points in mind. These factors are many, ranging from availability, market capitalization, growth potential, use-case, and the development team behind the project supporting it. Understanding the nuances through detailed analysis will better position you to make these intentional investments.

Availability and Accessibility

Berenbaum emphasizes that availability and accessibility is an important factor to look at in measuring the landscape of any cryptocurrency. The more widely available a cryptocurrency is, the easier it is to buy and sell, and the greater the liquidity. Accessibility is a key tenet of cryptocurrency, but it means being clear about how a user can understand and use the cryptocurrency. In general, projects with more user-friendly interfaces and clear, effective documentation will go further in broadening their user base.

Market Capitalization Insights

Market capitalization is a primary indicator of a cryptocurrency’s size and stability relative to competitors. The more overall market cap a cryptocurrency has, the more stable and less volatile it usually is. That means they can have lower ceilings for moonshot-type growth. Finding the right mix of stability versus growth potential is a critical first step in any investment decision.

Growth Potential Analysis

Determining how much a cryptocurrency can grow requires an assessment of its underlying technology, market demand, and competitive landscape. It’s the projects with non-incremental technology that solves a hard, real-world problem that get the most exciting traction and growth. Making sure you understand the potential future market size and your project’s competitive advantages will better prepare you to identify the most promising investments to make.

Purpose and Use Case Evaluation

A cryptocurrency’s vision and real-world application are absolutely key to look for. Cryptocurrencies designed to solve particular use cases or provide distinct services are more likely to achieve widespread use. As they gain in popularity their value is sure to increase. Knowing more about the project’s value proposition and the problem it’s solving for the industry will put you in a better position to evaluate investment opportunities.

Team and Development Assessment

The team behind a cryptocurrency project is one of the most important factors in determining whether a project will succeed. A committed and seasoned team possesses a compelling vision. With a track record of execution behind them, they’re that much more likely to deliver on their high-minded promises. Understanding the team’s backgrounds, what they’ve created previously, and their wider commitment to the project can give you some helpful clues.

During the initial period from May to July 2025, the crypto industry faced significant security issues relating to their possession and use. Hackers drained $1.4 billion from a single exchange and North Korean cyber criminals drained $1.5 billion worth of Ethereum tokens. This simple example emphasizes the value of security and how imperative it is for projects to ensure the safety of their users’ funds.

Conclusion: Which Cryptos Should You Buy Now?

Making the right crypto investment decisions requires careful consideration of your risk tolerance, investment goals, and the factors discussed above. Anjali’s advice is to keep a diversified portfolio and invest in projects with clear fundamentals and long-term vision.

Summary of Recommendations

  1. Bitcoin: A solid foundation for any crypto portfolio.
  2. Ethereum: The leading platform for DeFi and smart contracts.
  3. Solana: A high-speed, low-cost alternative to Ethereum.
  4. EtherFi (ETHFI): A promising DeFi project with strong growth potential.
  5. BNB: Offers benefits within the Binance ecosystem.

Final Thoughts on Investment Choices

The core DeFi debate in 2025 centers on what the sector should optimize for: structural integrity or mass adoption. Anjali hopes that putting these two goals in equilibrium will lead to the long-term success of the DeFi industry. As with all aspects of the crypto market, a healthy dose of research and flexible investment strategy can take you a long way. As always, make sure to conduct your own diligence and talk to a financial advisor before making any kind of financial or investment decision.