Listen, recently we've been wondering whether you really need thousands of dollars to start investing in crypto and expect a reasonable return. It turns out, not necessarily. Cheap cryptocurrencies with potential are often those that offer the greatest growth opportunities, especially if you're looking at it from a long-term investor’s perspective.

Instead of searching everywhere, we decided to take a closer look at five projects that cost less than a dollar but have solid fundamentals and real use cases. These are things worth paying attention to this year and next.

We'll start with VeChain (VET). This project has stood out in the business blockchain segment for years. Its current price is around $0.01, but the technology it offers is really interesting. VeChain allows real-time supply chain tracking—something crucial for trade, automotive, and pharmaceuticals. This year, the project is undergoing the so-called VeChain Renaissance, a major protocol modernization. It collaborates with players like Walmart China, BMW, and PwC. The dual-token model (VET and VTHO) enables companies to use the network at very low fees.

Next is Kaspa (KAS). It’s one of the more innovative low-cost cryptocurrencies with potential that we’re watching. Currently, it costs about $0.03. Kaspa uses blockDAG—a structure that allows processing up to 10 blocks per second. This gives it extreme speed and scalability. Interestingly, the project operates on traditional Proof-of-Work, but without pre-mining and without institutional support—completely decentralized. Plans include adding smart contracts and a layer 2, which will further expand its capabilities.

Cardano (ADA)—this is a more well-known project but still relatively cheap at the current price of $0.25. It stands out with its research-based approach. This year, the Chang Hard Fork was introduced, improving the network management system. Hydra, or Cardano Layer-2, enhances scalability, and the Intersect bridge enables compatibility with Ethereum. Staking ADA offers passive income, and the potential approval of an ETF for Cardano could trigger a strong upward trend in the future.

Stellar (XLM)—this cryptocurrency has focused from the start on cross-border payments and fighting financial exclusion. Its price is about $0.16. Thanks to very low fees and fast transactions, it’s ideal for migrants and emerging markets. This year, Stellar is strengthening partnerships with PayPal and Paxos. Soroban, the smart contract project, could significantly expand its use cases. The Stellar Development Foundation is focused on deploying solutions in Africa, South America, and Asia—areas where access to traditional banking is limited.

Hedera (HBAR)—the last of our five, currently valued at around $0.09. Instead of a traditional blockchain, this project uses Hashgraph—a graph-based technology that allows processing hundreds of thousands of transactions per second. The network is governed by a Council composed of global companies like Google, IBM, and Boeing. Hedera has real-world applications in the corporate world, and the project is carbon-negative, attracting ESG-focused investors.

What interests us most here? That cheap cryptocurrencies with potential could play a key role in the development of the entire market over the next few years. Many of them offer unique technical solutions and are gaining recognition among institutional investors. Their current prices make them accessible even for those with smaller budgets. If you’re looking for projects that could significantly increase in value, this list of five should be on your watchlist. Most of them are available on major trading platforms.