This Year's Top 5 Crypto Gainers: The Fastest Growing Cryptocurrency in 2024

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The year 2024 has emerged as a pivotal chapter in the evolution of the cryptocurrency market. Fueled by landmark developments such as the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in the United States, investor confidence has surged, creating a bullish ripple effect across digital assets. This renewed momentum has elevated not only established players but also spotlighted a new wave of high-performing cryptocurrencies that have delivered extraordinary returns in the first half of the year.

In this article, we explore the top 5 fastest-growing cryptocurrencies of 2024—tokens that have outperformed the broader market with staggering year-to-date gains. These assets, selected from the top 200 by market capitalization and available since January 1, 2024, represent a mix of meme-driven virality, innovative blockchain infrastructure, and real-world utility.

1. Aerodrome Finance – Powering Liquidity on Base

Aerodrome Finance has rapidly ascended as a cornerstone of Base, the Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain launched by Coinbase. As an automated market maker (AMM), Aerodrome is engineered to serve as the central liquidity hub for Base’s growing ecosystem, offering users a seamless and incentive-driven trading experience.

What sets Aerodrome apart is its sophisticated tokenomics and governance model. The platform operates with two key tokens: AERO, an ERC-20 utility token, and veAERO, an ERC-721 token representing locked AERO holdings. Users who lock their AERO tokens gain voting power over reward distributions for liquidity pools—a mechanism known as vote-lock governance.

Liquidity providers are rewarded with AERO tokens each epoch based on the voting weight of their chosen pools. Additionally, voters earn a share of trading fees generated by the protocol, creating a self-sustaining cycle of incentives.

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Although launched in Q3 2023, AERO’s explosive growth began in late February 2024, coinciding with increased activity on Base and rising interest in Ethereum Layer 2 solutions. With a year-to-date surge exceeding 2,000%, AERO stands as one of the most remarkable performers in the DeFi space.

Why AERO Is Gaining Momentum

2. Dogwifhat – The Meme Coin Sensation on Solana

Dogwifhat (WIF) is a quintessential example of how internet culture can drive financial markets. Launched on the Solana blockchain in November 2023, WIF capitalized on the explosive growth of the Solana ecosystem and the resurgence of meme coin enthusiasm.

Unlike utility-focused projects, Dogwifhat makes no claims about technological innovation or long-term use cases. Its identity revolves around a single viral image—a Shiba Inu wearing a pink hat—reimagined endlessly across social media platforms. The project thrives on humor, satire, and community-driven virality.

Despite—or perhaps because of—its lack of formal roadmap, WIF has attracted massive retail interest. It exemplifies the speculative nature of meme coins, where narrative and momentum often outweigh fundamentals.

The token’s meteoric rise in 2024 aligns with broader market optimism and increased trading volume on Solana-based decentralized exchanges like Jupiter and Raydium.

Key Drivers Behind WIF’s Rally

3. ArcBlock – Enabling Mass Adoption of Blockchain Apps

ArcBlock is a blockchain development platform designed to simplify the creation and deployment of decentralized applications (DApps). Since its inception in 2018, ArcBlock has remained under the radar—until now.

In 2024, ABT token holders witnessed unprecedented price action as investor interest shifted toward platforms enabling real-world blockchain adoption. ArcBlock’s ecosystem includes “Blocklets”—modular DApps that developers can deploy and users can access via the BlockLet Store.

The platform supports advanced features such as:

This focus on practical utility has resonated with developers seeking scalable infrastructure for Web3 innovation.

Despite its relatively small market cap compared to other top gainers, ABT’s +1,447% year-to-date growth reflects growing recognition of its long-term potential. However, investors should remain cautious due to its heightened volatility and lower liquidity.

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4. Mantra – Real-World Asset Tokenization on Cosmos

Mantra is at the forefront of the real-world asset (RWA) tokenization movement. Built within the Cosmos ecosystem, Mantra offers a compliant blockchain framework tailored for regulated financial assets such as bonds, equities, and real estate.

What distinguishes Mantra is its emphasis on regulatory compliance. The platform integrates on-chain identity verification and permissioned access controls, allowing institutions to build secure, auditable DeFi applications without sacrificing legal adherence.

Additionally, Mantra provides seamless fiat on-ramps and off-ramps, facilitating smoother interaction between traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized networks.

After years of limited movement, OM token exploded in early 2024 as institutional interest in RWA projects intensified. Its ability to bridge Web3 innovation with financial regulation has positioned Mantra as a key player in the next phase of blockchain adoption.

Why OM Is Surging

5. Pepe – The Original Meme Coin That Keeps Rising

Pepe (PEPE) redefined the meme coin landscape upon its launch in 2023. Inspired by the iconic Pepe the Frog meme, it quickly became a cultural phenomenon and sparked a new generation of meme-based tokens.

Unlike many copycat projects, PEPE achieved lasting relevance by maintaining scarcity (a large portion of supply was burned) and fostering organic community engagement. The team has been transparent about its lack of utility—positioning PEPE as a “useless” asset by design.

Yet, its market impact is anything but insignificant. PEPE currently ranks as the third-largest meme coin by market cap, trailing only Dogecoin and Shiba Inu.

In 2024, PEPE has continued to benefit from favorable market sentiment toward meme coins, especially during periods of high retail participation and speculative trading.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Are these crypto gainers safe investments?
A: While these tokens have shown impressive growth, they come with high volatility and risk. Meme coins like WIF and PEPE lack intrinsic utility, while others like ABT and OM depend on long-term adoption. Always conduct thorough research before investing.

Q: Why is Aerodrome Finance growing so fast?
A: Its integration with Coinbase’s Base chain has driven significant user activity and liquidity inflows. The vote-lock incentive model also encourages long-term holding and active participation.

Q: What makes real-world asset tokenization valuable?
A: RWA tokenization brings traditionally illiquid assets like real estate or bonds onto blockchains, enabling fractional ownership, faster settlement, and global accessibility—potentially unlocking trillions in value.

Q: Can meme coins sustain long-term growth?
A: Most meme coins rely heavily on hype and speculation. While some like PEPE have shown staying power due to strong communities, their long-term viability remains uncertain compared to utility-driven projects.

Q: How do I track year-to-date crypto performance?
A: Use trusted platforms that provide real-time data on price changes, market cap trends, and trading volume—focusing on assets available at the start of the year for accurate YTD comparisons.

Q: Should I invest in high-growth cryptos now?
A: High growth often precedes high corrections. Consider diversifying your portfolio and using dollar-cost averaging instead of making large lump-sum investments during peak momentum.

The crypto market’s dynamic nature means today’s top gainers could face sharp reversals tomorrow. However, understanding the underlying narratives—whether driven by technology, community, or macro trends—can help investors navigate volatility and identify meaningful opportunities.

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