Beyond the headlines, a handful of tokens are trading at levels far below their potential. Everyone chases Bitcoin at its peak and ignores the smaller coins that are still building in the background. Well, not today. In this list, we’ll look at five cheap cryptos to buy, not cheap because they’re bad, but because each trades under one dollar and comes loaded with quirks, hidden features, and even a few fun surprises.
Think of this as the “dollar menu” of crypto—only instead of fries, you get governance councils, synthetic dollars, and blockchains that burn their own coins like a diet plan gone wild.
Hedera (HBAR): The eco-friendly powerhouse
Priced around $0.24, Hedera operates like a reliable, low-cost airline. Its significance comes from its governing council, including Google, IBM, and Boeing. The network handles fraction-of-a-cent transactions, with fees uniquely pegged to the US dollar for stability, unlike most volatile chains.
Many traders miss Hedera’s predictable fee model. Fewer realize its treasury publishes its token release schedule—rare industry transparency. Adding to its appeal, Hedera claims carbon negativity, with one transaction using less energy than a sneeze.
VeChain (VET): The supply chain detective
Trading just above $0.02, VeChain acts like a supercharged blockchain barcode scanner. Crucially, it’s actively used by Walmart China and DNV for food traceability. Operating on Proof-of-Authority with a fixed max supply of 86.7 billion tokens, it features a dual-token system: VET stores value while VTHO powers transaction fees, making VTHO an essential system fuel. Notably, VeChain upgraded to “PoA 2.0,” akin to a coffee machine now reliably brewing espresso and cappuccino.
Algorand (ALGO): The mathematician’s chain
Priced around $0.24, Algorand was founded by Turing Award winner Silvio Micali, a math genius. Its pure proof-of-stake enables participation by all ALGO holders for validation, offering fast settlement and a fixed max supply of 10 billion coins.
Crucially, governance rewards now require active participation; no more lazy airdrops. Notably, it might be the sole cryptocurrency boasting a Nobel-prize-caliber founder—quite a resume item unmatched by memecoins, making it one of the top cheap cryptos to buy now.
Stellar (XLM): The cross-border workhorse
Priced around $0.41, Stellar is a key money-mover under $1. Crucially, its MoneyGram partnership enables cash-to-crypto swaps at retail counters globally. The recent Soroban upgrade further enhances its capabilities by adding smart contracts.
A significant but often overlooked event occurred in 2019: Stellar burned 55 billion tokens and ended inflation, creating a major supply shock many investors missed. Remarkably, you can now walk into MoneyGram locations in some countries and leave with crypto—a fact sure to spark conversation anywhere further cements its stand as one of the cheap cryptos to buy now.
Ethena (ENA): The synthetic dollar rebel
Priced near $0.8, Ethena is the new crypto party guest getting side-eyed. Its key innovation is the USDe stablecoin, which avoids traditional bank dollars, instead using collateral plus perpetual futures.
The governance token, ENA, is crucial to watch. However, many overlook Ethena’s token unlock schedule, extending to 2028; these releases can significantly impact ENA’s price if traders forget. TradFi media debates whether Ethena is a genius or dangerous, cementing its status as crypto’s dollar rebel child.
The bottom line: Cheap cryptos to buy now?
When people hear “cheap crypto to buy,” they often think of coins that are destined for the graveyard. But Hedera, VeChain, Algorand, Stellar, and Ethena prove that price per token tells you nothing about potential. Each one has real utility, surprising quirks, and a few fun stories tucked in for good measure.
The truth? These are not lottery tickets. They’re the underdogs that quietly shape payments, enterprise tools, and even the future of money. Ignore them, and you might just miss the only bargain left on the blockchain menu.
