Introduction
The cryptocurrency market witnessed unprecedented growth in 2021, with several assets delivering astronomical returns. While Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) remained dominant by market cap, their gains were overshadowed by lesser-known tokens and crypto-exposed equities. This analysis highlights the year’s top performers, categorized by asset type, based on rigorous data from CoinGecko and Yahoo Finance.
Key Takeaways
- Solana (SOL) surged 9,588%, leading the pack among blockchain-native coins.
- Shiba Inu (SHIB) outperformed all meme coins with a 42,349,900% price increase.
- MicroStrategy (MSTR) and Marathon Digital (MARA) emerged as top crypto-correlated stocks.
- DeFi tokens like Lido Staked ETH (stETH) saw market caps explode by 48,633%.
Top Performers by Category
1. DeFi Token: Lido Staked ETH (stETH)
Growth: Market cap soared 48,633% ($12.3M → $6B).
What It Is: A liquid staking solution for Ethereum, enabling users to earn staking rewards without locking ETH.
👉 Explore DeFi staking strategies
Runner-Ups:
- PancakeSwap (CAKE): +5,730%
- Frax (FRAX): +2,495%
2. Blockchain Coin: Solana (SOL)
Growth: Price skyrocketed 9,588% ($1.84 → $178.26).
Why It Mattered: Solana’s proof-of-history consensus and low fees fueled ecosystem adoption.
Runner-Ups:
- Terra (LUNA): +9,391%
- Dogecoin (DOGE): +3,180%
3. Meme Coin: Shiba Inu (SHIB)
Growth: Gained 42,349,900% ($0.00000000008 → $0.00003388).
Key Driver: Community hype and listings on major exchanges like Kraken.
👉 Learn about meme coin trends
Runner-Ups:
- Dogecoin (DOGE): +3,180%
- Dogelon Mars (ELON): +2,368%
4. Publicly Traded Crypto Company: MicroStrategy (MSTR)
Growth: Stock rose 41% ($425 → $598).
Crypto Link: Holds 122,478 BTC as a treasury reserve.
Runner-Ups:
- Coinbase (COIN): -20%
- Block (SQ): -21%
5. Crypto-Exposed Stock: NVIDIA (NVDA)
Growth: Shares up 141% ($131 → $304).
Catalyst: Demand for GPUs used in Ethereum mining.
Runner-Ups:
- AMD: +60%
- Tesla: +24%
6. Crypto Miner: Marathon Digital (MARA)
Growth: Stock surged 252% ($11 → $38).
Operations: Expanded mining capacity to 3.32 EH/s.
Runner-Ups:
- Hut8: +183%
- Bitfury: +180%
FAQs
Q: Why did Solana outperform Ethereum?
A: Solana’s scalable infrastructure attracted developers, while Ethereum faced high gas fees and delayed upgrades.
Q: Is Shiba Inu a good investment after 2021?
A: Meme coins are highly volatile; thorough research is advised before investing.
Q: How does stETH differ from ETH?
A: stETH represents staked ETH, offering rewards while remaining tradable—unlike locked ETH 2.0 deposits.
Q: What drove NVIDIA’s stock growth?
A: Crypto mining demand for GPUs, despite regulatory challenges and supply shortages.
Conclusion
2021 redefined crypto’s potential, with assets like SOL, SHIB, and stETH delivering outsized returns. While past performance doesn’t guarantee future results, these trends underscore the importance of diversification and staying informed.