Best CRYPTOs to watch for by the end of 2024

 As we approach the end of 2024, several cryptocurrencies stand out due to their strong fundamentals, innovative use cases, and growing adoption. Here are some of the best cryptos to watch:

### 1. **Bitcoin (BTC)**

   - **Why to Watch**: Bitcoin remains the gold standard in the crypto space, known for its store of value and status as "digital gold." Its adoption continues to grow, and institutional interest remains high. With the upcoming Bitcoin halving event in 2024, many experts expect price movements similar to previous cycles.

   - **Price Potential**: Bitcoin could see substantial gains, especially if market sentiment becomes more bullish around the halving and inflation concerns drive more investors to seek decentralized assets【66†source】【67†source】.

### 2. **Ethereum (ETH)**

   - **Why to Watch**: As the leading platform for decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts, Ethereum remains essential in the crypto ecosystem. The shift to Ethereum 2.0 (Proof-of-Stake) has reduced its energy consumption and is expected to improve scalability in the coming years.

   - **Price Potential**: With Layer 2 solutions like Optimism and Arbitrum driving usage, Ethereum could see an increase in adoption and, subsequently, in its price【66†source】【67†source】.

### 3. **Solana (SOL)**

   - **Why to Watch**: Known for its fast and low-cost transactions, Solana has become one of the top competitors to Ethereum. Its ecosystem continues to grow, with major dApps and projects migrating or launching on Solana. However, the network has faced reliability issues in the past.

   - **Price Potential**: If Solana can improve its stability and maintain its transaction speed, it could remain a top choice for developers and investors【67†source】.

### 4. **Polygon (MATIC)**

   - **Why to Watch**: Polygon is a Layer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum that enhances transaction speeds while reducing costs. It's becoming a go-to platform for DeFi projects and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Additionally, with partnerships like Instagram's NFT integration, the platform is gaining mainstream recognition.

   - **Price Potential**: Polygon’s ecosystem expansion and Ethereum’s congestion issues make MATIC a strong candidate for continued growth【68†source】.

### 5. **Chainlink (LINK)**

   - **Why to Watch**: Chainlink provides crucial real-world data to smart contracts, enabling decentralized finance (DeFi) and other blockchain applications to function. Its role as the leading decentralized oracle network ensures its continued importance.

   - **Price Potential**: With increasing adoption in DeFi and new integrations across multiple blockchains, LINK is expected to rise in both utility and price【68†source】.

### 6. **Avalanche (AVAX)**

   - **Why to Watch**: Avalanche offers a highly scalable and energy-efficient blockchain platform. It’s designed for decentralized applications, and its consensus mechanism makes it faster and cheaper than Ethereum. The platform's unique ability to support multiple blockchains (subnets) adds to its appeal.

   - **Price Potential**: As more developers and institutions adopt Avalanche, its ecosystem could experience significant growth, leading to a potential price surge【66†source】.

### 7. **Shiba Inu (SHIB)**

   - **Why to Watch**: Originally started as a meme coin, Shiba Inu has developed a strong community and ecosystem, including its own decentralized exchange, ShibaSwap. The ongoing token burn and upcoming projects like Shibarium, a Layer 2 solution, give SHIB a utility-based outlook.

   - **Price Potential**: While risky, Shiba Inu has room for growth, particularly if its new ecosystem developments succeed【68†source】.

### 8. **Arbitrum (ARB)**

   - **Why to Watch**: Arbitrum is a Layer 2 solution for Ethereum, designed to improve transaction speed and reduce fees. It has gained significant traction due to its compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), making it a go-to for DeFi projects seeking scalability.

   - **Price Potential**: As Ethereum continues to face congestion, Layer 2 solutions like Arbitrum will become more important, potentially driving up the value of ARB【66†source】.

### 9. **Aptos (APT)**

   - **Why to Watch**: Aptos is a new Layer 1 blockchain that aims to solve scalability issues with a high-throughput blockchain architecture. Its focus is on user experience, developer tooling, and low-latency transactions.

   - **Price Potential**: If Aptos can build out its ecosystem and gain developer interest, it could emerge as a major competitor to other smart contract platforms【67†source】.

### 10. **The Sandbox (SAND)**

   - **Why to Watch**: The Sandbox is a leading metaverse platform that allows users to create, own, and monetize virtual worlds and NFTs. With growing interest in the metaverse and partnerships with major brands, The Sandbox has carved out a niche in the gaming and virtual worlds space.

   - **Price Potential**: As the metaverse trend gains momentum, SAND could see substantial growth【68†source】.

### Conclusion

By the end of 2024, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Polygon, and Chainlink could see strong gains, driven by adoption, technological upgrades, and market sentiment. For risk-tolerant investors, meme coins like Shiba Inu or new players like Aptos also offer speculative opportunities. Always consider your risk tolerance and do thorough research before investing.