With $100, Which Crypto Should You Invest In Right Now?

A $100 investment is unlikely to grow into thousands overnight, so a long-term strategy is key. Focus on Bitcoin and XRP for stability and growth potential, with a small allocation in high-risk assets for added upside.

The crypto market is risky and volatile but offers both immense opportunities. So, understandably, not everyone would want to invest a large capital in digital assets. You might just want to invest $100 and see how far your portfolio can go.

With $100, the strategy and choices become critical since you’re working with limited capital. For this investment, the approach should balance safety, potential for growth, and market positioning.

Let’s break down which cryptocurrencies you should consider, why they are strong candidates, and the practical strategies to make the most out of this investment.

Understand your risk appetite

The first thing you’ll need to consider is your risk appetite. Why are you investing this $100? Are you looking to grow this investment sustainably in the mid- or long-term? Or are you looking to take a high risk and invest in extremely volatile markets? If you’re considering the latter, you will likely lose the entirety of the $100 investment.

So, if you’re willing to take a high risk and lose your capital, consider meme coins or early airdrop tokens. The goal is to invest in low-cap tokens early, wait for a price surge, and quickly sell them off before they are dumped.

A good place to start would be looking at tokens on Coinbase or Binance listing roadmap. Generally, meme coins or early projects that are scheduled to be listed on these big exchanges surge on the listing day. Also, scoop around Binance’s airdrop portal, and try to participate in upcoming airdrops.

However, if you want a significantly less risky approach and prefer sustainable growth from your $100 investment, here are the strategies to follow.

Portfolio diversification: Avoid putting all eggs in one basket

When working with a small sum like $100, splitting the investment can help minimize risks while capturing the upside. Here’s a recommended breakdown:

• 40% in a stable, well-established cryptocurrency
• 50% in a mid-cap, high-potential coin
• 10% in a micro-cap or trending token for higher risk-reward.

Bitcoin (BTC) – 40% allocation

Why Bitcoin? BTC remains the most reliable cryptocurrency. It’s the oldest, most recognized, and serves as the backbone of the crypto market. With institutional players still allocating significant capital into BTC, it’s a safe bet even during market uncertainty. BTC’s capped supply of 21 million coins creates scarcity, and its strong store-of-value properties make it ‘digital gold’. Historically, Bitcoin has consistently rebounded after bear markets, outperforming most assets over the long term.

Why allocate 40%? For small investments, capital preservation is crucial. Bitcoin offers stability compared to other cryptocurrencies while still providing growth potential. Even small gains in BTC are less risky than speculative tokens.

Bitcoin’s current price is $107,000. Analysts project Bitcoin to be $250,000 by the end of 2025. Pantera Capital projects $780,000 by 2028. Also, Michael Saylor projects a $1m ultimate peak price. So, there’s still a lot of potential in Bitcoin. While it won’t make you significantly rich with a $40 investment, it will definitely give you sustainable returns in the long term.

XRP – 50% allocation

Ripple’s XRP is a must-have altcoin in your portfolio, no matter how much you invest. The prolonged SEC lawsuit has undermined the altcoin’s value for over four years now. XRP has underperformed in all major bull markets since 2020. However, the recent regulatory shift in the US projects a significantly positive future for Ripple’s altcoin.

Most notably, Ripple has introduced RLUSD, a US dollar-pegged stablecoin, aiming to enhance cross-border payment solutions. Fully backed by US dollar deposits, government bonds, and cash equivalents, RLUSD is designed to provide stability and transparency in transactions. This launch has positively influenced XRP’s value, with the cryptocurrency’s price increasing by 11.5% to $2.64 within 24 hours of the announcement.

The integration of RLUSD into Ripple’s ecosystem is expected to complement XRP’s role in facilitating efficient cross-border transactions. While RLUSD offers a stable medium of exchange, XRP provides liquidity and rapid settlement capabilities.

The cryptocurrency market is anticipating a wave of new crypto ETFs in 2025, including those based on XRP. Firms such as Bitwise Asset Management and WisdomTree have filed for spot XRP ETFs with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Approval of these ETFs could open the door for institutional investors who may be restricted from directly holding cryptocurrencies, potentially increasing demand and positively impacting XRP’s market value.

Analysts project Ripple to hit a minimum of $5 next year, with more optimistic predictions placing it at $10. If you invest $50 in XRP at its current price of $2.50 and it reaches $10, your investment would be worth $200.

High-risk, high-reward Choice – 10% allocation

With the remaining 10%, you can target a smaller, emerging cryptocurrency with significant growth potential. Here are two strong candidates:

1. Arbitrum (ARB):
   • Reasoning: Arbitrum is a Layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum, solving congestion and high gas fees. As dApps and DeFi projects move towards Layer-2 solutions, ARB could benefit from widespread adoption.
   • Recent development: Arbitrum’s network activity and partnerships show it’s gaining traction. Its token remains undervalued relative to its role in Ethereum scaling.
2. Solana (SOL):
   • Reasoning: Solana offers blazing-fast transactions with extremely low fees. It’s popular among developers building DeFi apps and NFTs. Despite past network outages, recent upgrades have improved its reliability.
   • Recent momentum: Solana has shown a resurgence, with its ecosystem growing rapidly in NFTs and DeFi activity.

Why only 10%?
This part of the portfolio involves high volatility. If it performs well, it boosts overall returns. If it underperforms, the impact on your portfolio remains small.

Strategies for a $100 crypto investment

1. Dollar-cost averaging (DCA)

If you’re not sure about entering the market all at once, split the $100 into weekly investments (e.g., $25 per week for four weeks). This strategy reduces exposure to market volatility. For example:

• Week 1: BTC
• Week 2: ETH
• Week 3: Arbitrum/Solana

DCA helps mitigate the risk of bad timing, particularly when prices swing sharply.

2. Use a reputable platform with low fees

With only $100, transaction fees matter. Choose platforms like Binance, Coinbase, or Kraken based on their credibility and reasonable fee structures. For beginners, centralized exchanges are easier to access and navigate compared to decentralized ones like Uniswap.

3. Focus on long-term gains

Avoid chasing ‘pump-and-dump’ schemes or trending tokens promising unrealistic gains. Instead, hold assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum for at least one to three years. Historically, they’ve provided solid long-term returns, even for small investments.

4. Stay updated on news and market trends

• Monitor BTC and ETH developments: Bitcoin halvings, Ethereum upgrades, and institutional investments can drive price momentum.
• Follow community trends: Platforms like CoinGecko, CoinMarketCap, or Twitter offer insights into emerging tokens like Arbitrum or Solana.

Practical considerations for your investment

Volatility is real. The crypto market can fluctuate 5-10% daily. Prepare for price swings without panicking or selling at a loss. Also, security is critical. Store your crypto on trusted wallets. For small amounts, software wallets like MetaMask or Trust Wallet work fine. If you plan to hold long-term, consider hardware wallets like Ledger or Trezor for better security.

Most importantly, set realistic expectations.Turning $100 into thousands is unlikely overnight. Small, steady growth over time is far more sustainable.

For $100, a balanced portfolio provides both stability and growth potential. This strategy leverages Bitcoin’s reliability, Ethereum’s adoption, and the upside of emerging tokens. Crypto is about patience, and even $100 can grow meaningfully with time and discipline. Stay informed, protect your assets, and invest strategically.

1. 01.

   Is it too late to profit from Bitcoin?

   

   No, Bitcoin remains a strong long-term investment. Its capped supply and increasing institutional adoption continue to drive demand, offering steady growth potential.

2. 02.

   Which crypto should I invest $100 in 2025?

   

   Allocate most of it to Bitcoin and XRP for stability and growth, with a small portion in emerging, high-risk assets like Layer-2 or AI-focused tokens for higher upside.

3. 03.

   Is XRP still profitable?

   

   Yes, XRP remains profitable due to its role in Ripple’s payment ecosystem, the RLUSD stablecoin launch, and potential ETF approvals, which could drive demand and price growth.