Top 9 ERC-20 Tokens to Buy in December 2025
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Best Wallet Token, Bitcoin Hyper, Chainlink, and Uniswap are ERC-20 coins worth watching. ERC-20 follows a common Ethereum standard that powers much of DeFi and app economies. Daily active ERC-20 addresses hit 1.4 million on August 30, 2025, and monthly activity set a new high in September (Etherscan).
This list focuses on ERC-20 picks with clear utility, solid execution, and room to grow. Candidates span newer entries and established names, balancing adoption, on-chain activity, and liquidity.
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Top List of ERC-20 Tokens to Invest In
ERC-20 is the standard associated with all tokens generated on the Ethereum network. More concisely, ERC-20 relates to the token standard that can be used within Ethereum smart contracts. Due to the size and scale of Ethereum and its position as the world’s second-largest distributed network, tokens that adhere to the ERC-20 standard can offer lucrative investment potential. Here are our top ERC-20 tokens to invest in 2025:
| Coin | Symbol | Market Cap | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin Hyper |  HYPER +16.91% |
$29.58M | $0.013445 |
| Best Wallet Token | $15.54M | $0.026015 | |
| SUBBD |  SUBBD +4.05% |
$1.4M | $0.057225 |
| Chainlink |  LINK -3.0700% |
$12.27B | $12.27 |
| Uniswap |  UNI +4.1400% |
$5.30B | $5.30 |
| Aave |  AAVE -2.1600% |
$2.88B | $180.04 |
| Wrapped Bitcoin |  WBTC +0.6500% |
$11.39B | $86,812.93 |
| Sandbox |  SAND -4.0000% |
$344.32M | $0.11 |
| Decentraland |  MANA -4.6600% |
$277.66M | $0.12 |
Top ERC-20 Tokens to Invest in: A Closer Look
ERC-20 tokens form an integral part of the cryptocurrency landscape due to their widespread adoption and reputation for reliability and security. Consequently, ERC-20 tokens now make up the backbone of the decentralized industry we know today. From decentralized applications (dApps) to DeFi, ERC-20 protocols dominate the Web3 industry.
Top Early-stage ERC-20 Tokens
Early-stage ERC-20 tokens are up-and-coming cryptocurrencies that show promise due to current demand. They are typically tokens that are currently in presale or newly launched.
1. Bitcoin Hyper (HYPER) – Bitcoin Layer-2 Focused on Speed
Key Highlights:
- Current price in December, 2025: $0.013445
- Amount raised: $29.58M
- Price change:
HYPER +16.91% - Address: 0xA86c39fa8341aDC5219f355468fc78Cec7e8702B
Bitcoin Hyper HYPER +16.91% is a Bitcoin Layer 2 (L2) and ERC-20 token inspired by Bitcoin. The actual token exists on Ethereum, while the L2 exists to scale Bitcoin, integrating the Solana virtual machine to support smart contract functionality.
Despite this, HYPER is not a direct competitor to Bitcoin. It portrays itself as a “hyperactive” complement to Bitcoin that’s faster and easier to move around on Ethereum. HYPER embraces the original value of Bitcoin while integrating more efficient technologies from other popular blockchains.
Currently in presale, HYPER is available at $0.013445 and offers early investors high staking APYs of up to 39% while also rewarding them with exclusive features and early access.
Why Bitcoin Hyper made it to our top list
- Brings Bitcoin’s brand to Ethereum with speed and flexibility BTC lacks
- Released bridge demos showing cross-chain movement
- Previewed a block explorer, signaling progress and alignment with the roadmap
2. Best Wallet Token (BEST) – Multi-Chain Wallet Token with Built-In DEX
Key Highlights:
- Current price in December, 2025: $0.026015
- Amount raised: $15.54M
- Price change:
- Address: 0xba83b5ed3f12Bfa44f066f03eE0433419B74f469
Best Wallet Token is the utility token for Best Wallet, a multi-chain wallet popular for its launchpad and DEX features. The token launched on November 28, 2025, and had a successful presale, raising $18.2 million.
BEST is expected to be used for different things, such as transaction fees, staking, and even governance to give holders a say in the wallet’s development.
If adoption grows, BEST could play a big role in Ethereum-based wallets, especially as more users want secure and on-chain storage solutions.
Why Best Wallet Token made it to our top list
- User-friendly wallet that prioritizes security and convenience
- Usable for transaction fees
- Supports staking
- Enables governance participation
3. SUBBD (SUBBD) – Utility Token for Content Creators
Key Highlights:
- Current price in December, 2025: $0.057225
- Amount raised: $1.4M
- Price change:SUBBD +4.05%
- Address: 0xEEfc3a765265875483CA9e817dfCa6f7486aaCE1
SUBBD SUBBD +4.05% is a new ERC-20 utility token that’s designed to power a creator platform that blends AI tools and DeFi.
SUBBD is built on Ethereum and benefits from the network’s EVM compatibility, smart contracts, and DEXs integration.
The SUBBD ecosystem allows creators to monetize their content through subscriptions, exclusive drops, tipping, and even premium access to give fans an interactive experience.
Why SUBBD made it to our top list
- 1 billion tokens of total supply
- Audited smart contracts
- Creator-first positioning
- Built to support long-term growth
Best Established ERC-20 Tokens
Established ERC-20 tokens are blue-chip cryptocurrencies that have proven themselves over time. They have consistent demand and relatively high market caps or trading volumes.
4. Chainlink (LINK) – Oracle Network Connecting Data to Blockchains
Key Highlights:
- Current price in December, 2025: $12.27
- Market cap: $12.27B
- Last 24 hours change in price: LINK 3.07%
- All-time high: $53.01
- Yearly price change: -53.99%
- Address: 0x514910771AF9Ca656af840dff83E8264EcF986CA
Founded in 2017 by Sergey Nazarov, Chainlink is a decentralized oracle network that enables universally connected smart contracts to access and share real-world data.
The Chainlink Network is driven by a large open-source community of data providers, node operators, smart contract developers and security auditors ensuring that decentralization stays core to the project’s ethos.
Its growing partnerships with major financial institutions and blockchain projects cement its position as a critical infrastructure for Web3. With its continuous integrations into DeFi, gaming, and enterprise applications, Chainlink remains a dominant force in the oracle market.
Why Chainlink made it to our top list
- Chainlink connects chains to real-world data through developer-friendly APIs
- External data access expands use cases and flexibility for blockchain applications
5. Uniswap (UNI) – Decentralized Exchange for Ethereum Tokens
Key Highlights:
- Current price in December, 2025: $5.30
- Market cap: $5.30B
- Last 24 hours change in price: UNI +4.14%
- All-time high: $45.01
- Yearly price change: -68.75%
- Address: 0x1f9840a85d5aF5bf1D1762F925BDADdC4201F984
One of the first protocols that pioneered the decentralized trading of DeFi tokens, Uniswap’s Automated Market Maker (AMM) has proven especially popular in liquidity provision. Holders of native governance token UNI have the ability to shape the future of the project as well as benefit from any potential price discovery.
While initially supporting Ethereum, Uniswap expanded to dozens of other networks, such Arbitrum and Optimism, and that has further improved transaction efficiency.
With billions locked in liquidity pools and continuous protocol upgrades, Uniswap remains at the forefront of decentralized trading.
Why Uniswap made it to our top list
- It is the top exchange in terms of fees for DEXs
- Has its own Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain
- Has the highest TVL of all DEXs
- No mandatory KYC at the protocol level
6. Aave (AAVE) – Decentralized Lending and Borrowing Protocol
Key Highlights:
- Current price in December, 2025: $180.04
- Market cap: $2.88B
- Last 24 hours change in price: AAVE 2.16%
- All-time high: $666.03
- Yearly price change: -51.03%
- Address: 0x7Fc66500c84A76Ad7e9c93437bFc5Ac33E2DDaE9
Open-source DeFi solution offering one of the largest liquidity protocols on the market today. Smart contracts handle fund distribution and collateral management allowing Aave users to lend, borrow and earn interest on collateral. The Aave project is fully decentralized with 167,155 token holders worldwide.
Aave is supported by a strong team of developers. The protocol has a strong reputation for having some of the most battle-tested smart contracts in all of crypto. It is one of the top lending markets in all of DeFi.
Many protocols, such as yield generators, integrate Aave into their platforms. This gives Aave a strong demand and puts the AAVE token into a position to absorb some of this demand. Furthermore, holders can use the token for staking, governance, and other perks.
Why Aave made it to our top list
- Provides exposure to a broad range of cryptocurrencies without direct ownership
- Access via pooled lending/borrowing and interest-bearing aTokens
- Diversified exposure helps reduce downside risk compared with single-asset holdings
7. Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC)
Key Highlights:
- Current price in December, 2025: $86,812.93
- Market cap: $11.39B
- Last 24 hours change in price: WBTC +0.65%
- All-time high: $126,028.40
- Yearly price change: -17.00%
- Address: 0x2260FAC5E5542a773Aa44fBCfeDf7C193bc2C599
Officially launched on January 31st 2019, Wrapped Bitcoin is a tokenized version of Bitcoin that can operate on the Ethereum network. WBTC consistently maintains a 1:1 ratio with Bitcoin.
Due to its ERC-20 design, WBTC can be used on decentralized exchanges, crypto lending services, prediction markets and other DeFi applications.
Now that DeFi applications are growing and the demand for Bitcoin-backed assets rising, WBTC bridges the gap between Bitcoin’s store-of-value properties and Ethereum’s vast DeFi ecosystem.
Why Wrapped Bitcoin made it to our top list
- Brings Bitcoin exposure to Ethereum via an ERC-20 representation
- Enables BTC liquidity within Ethereum’s DeFi and app ecosystem
- Likely to see growing use as Ethereum expands and BTC holders seek on-chain utility
GameFi and Meme ERC-20 Tokens
GameFi and meme coin ERC-tokens are more speculative in nature. However, the top tokens in this category are well-established because they have lasted over time.
8. The Sandbox (SAND) – Metaverse Platform for Gaming and Land
Key Highlights:
- Current price in December, 2025: $0.11
- Market cap: $344.32M
- Last 24 hours change in price: SAND 4.00%
- All-time high: $8.60
- Yearly price change: -82.21%
- Address: 0x3845badAde8e6dFF049820680d1F14bD3903a5d0
The Sandbox is a blockchain-based virtual world that allows users to create, build, buy and sell digital assets in a gaming environment. Through a combination of DAO governance and NFTs,
The Sandbox continues to build a thriving community with the ultimate aim of introducing blockchain technology into mainstream gaming.
With major partnerships adopting metaverse and a growing NFT marketplace, The Sandbox continues to be a leader in blockchain gaming and virtual real estate which is why it’s among our list.
Why The Sandbox made it to our top list
- Tracks ownership of digital land and NFTs on Ethereum
- Platform-wide asset provenance secured on-chain
- As user activity grows, demand for the SAND token increases
9. Decentraland (MANA) – Virtual World with Tradable Land NFTs
Key Highlights:
- Current price in December, 2025: $0.12
- Market cap: $277.66M
- Last 24 hours change in price: MANA 4.66%
- All-time high: $5.85
- Yearly price change: -76.69%
- Address: 0x0F5D2fB29fb7d3CFeE444a200298f468908cC942
Formed from an ICO in 2017, Decentraland is a virtual reality platform that allows users to create, experience and monetize content and applications. Users purchase plots of land which they can later build and develop before selling on the open market.
With an emphasis on all things decentralization, MANA token holders get to vote on all in-game and organizational policies.
Decentraland remains a top choice in the metaverse sector as it keeps getting interest in digital ownership and virtual economies.
Why Decentraland made it to our top list
- Early Ethereum project showcasing practical NFT utility
- Virtual real estate enables users to build and customize environments
- MANA holders can earn additional rewards by interacting with the platform
What is an Ethereum (ERC-20) Token?
An ERC-20 token is a specific type of token that has been built for compatibility with the Ethereum blockchain. All ERC-20 tokens follow a rigorous set of standards. All tokens adhere to the same set of rules meaning they all function in a consistent and predictable manner. This standardization allows all ERC-20 tokens to interact with each other and Ethereum applications seamlessly.
ERC-20 tokens can be used as:
- Utility tokens – To grant access to a particular product or service within an ecosystem
- Security tokens – To represent ownership in a real-world asset such as a company or digital property.
- Stablecoins – Cryptocurrencies that are pegged to real-world assets such as currencies to provide price stability.
Due to their standardization and ensuing widespread adoption, ERC-20 tokens have become a popular way for developers to create new cryptocurrencies and applications on the Ethereum blockchain.
While the ERC-20 standard on Ethereum is the most popular one, it is only one of multiple token frameworks, such as ERC-721 (used for NFTs), ERC-1155 (for efficient transactions of fungible and non-fungible tokens), or ERC-3643 (for security tokens).
What are the Advantages of Buying ERC-20 Tokens?
Investing in ERC-20 tokens has become popular due to the extremely wide variety of projects available. With such a broad range of novel ideas and concepts, investors can target specific sectors within the cryptocurrency space. Let’s take a closer look at the advantages.
🖥️ Ease of Access on Wallets and Exchanges
Due to their overwhelming popularity, ERC 20 tokens are widely supported by most of the leading cryptocurrency exchanges and wallets which makes it easier to buy and sell the tokens compared with other standards. This ensures trading liquidity remains high for ERC-20 tokens and competition among application developers is healthy and strong which is ultimately good for the market.
👥 The Popularity of the Ethereum Blockchain
The ERC-20 token standard has fueled a surge in Ethereum ecosystem development. In the last five years, the cryptocurrency space has seen a massive rise in the number of DeFi protocols, decentralized exchanges and NFT marketplaces all thanks to the flexibility and user-friendly ERC-20 token standard.
Furthermore, the best Ethereum tokens are renowned for their robust security and reliability which has further fueled the industry’s recent growth. The popularity of the token is twofold – as the tokens rise in popularity, so does the strength of the Ethereum network, which in turn attracts more ERC-20 developers.
🔗 Integration with Ethereum-Based Platforms
Because all ERC-20 tokens follow the same rules, integration with Ethereum-built platforms is seamless. Some of the most widely used destinations for ERC-20 tokens include exchanges, DeFi applications, and NFT marketplaces.
This integration unlocks a world of possibilities for ERC-20 tokens. In the ever-evolving world of Web3 development, sometimes it is hard to keep up to date with all the latest developments. However, we believe the following avenues hold the strongest potential for ERC-20 tokens:
- Payments – ERC-20 tokens have proven to be extremely popular in the gaming industry with a number of projects featuring in-game economies built to the ERC-20 standard.
- Governance – With the rising popularity of Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs), more and more ERC-20 tokens are being used to grant voting rights within Ethereum-developed distributed systems.
- Store of Value – Due to tried and tested security protocols, an increasing number of ERC-20 tokens are being used as investment vehicles in the same way traditional finance views stocks and bonds.
With one popular universal standard, blockchain development has evolved at a rapid pace over the last 5-6 years. The ERC-20 standard has enabled developers to build new protocols easily, quickly, and at a lower cost which has meant the doors to innovation and experimentation have been thrown open to all. Such a wide range of innovation has led to a feature-rich range of experiences for users of Ethereum blockchain products.
All ERC-20 tokens roughly adopt the same protocol design and network structure. Despite its reputation for security, a single point of failure could be devastating for the ERC-20 family. Although recent developments have concentrated on improving Ethereum’s security (eg EIP3675 aka ’the Merge’), such a broad sweeping product design is still attractive to hackers with questionable motives. The runaway success of Ethereum and the ERC-20 token standard has been hindered by a poor reputation for high gas fees and growing network congestion. Recent Ethereum Improvement Protocols (EIPs) have sought to challenge these costs, but congested network traffic continues to inflate fees, especially during peak hours. However, since the network transitioned to a Proof-of-Stake design model in 2022, the computational costs and energy consumption have been reduced by 99%. With a focus on keeping costs as low as possible, this is one of the primary areas that Ethereum developers are focussing on right now. Smart contracts are automated agreement contracts that are the power behind many ERC-20 tokens and dApps. They form the cornerstone of ERC-20 development and offer both efficiency and transparency. However, they also hide hidden dangers which can be extremely damaging. Firstly, any code vulnerabilities can be targeted by hackers which can lead to the theft of funds or manipulation of the contract functionality. Unlike traditional contracts, any such error is irreversible due to the immutable nature of the blockchain. In the wake of this, smart contract auditors have witnessed record business as protocols look to test their code for vulnerability. To buy new ERC-20 tokens, you can use a CEX for popular tokens or connect your wallet to one of the best DEXs out there to access newer tokens with lower liquidity. On the DEX, paste the correct contract address, swap ETH for your chosen token, and confirm the transaction. Always check gas fees and prioritize security. Ready to start? Follow our step-by-step guide below to buy your first ERC-20 tokens securely. Before you utilize any of the following methods, it’s best to get into the habit of checking gas fees. You can use tools like our gas fee checker or calculator to determine if you will need to minimize gas fees. 0.05 Gwei (~$0.00) 0.06 Gwei (~$0.00) 0.06 Gwei (~$0.00)
Last updated:
Intent-based decentralized exchanges make token swaps more efficient by shifting gas costs from users to solvers (i.e., users that act as brokers), off-chain intents settled on-chain, and other methods. They also typically give traders MEV protection and find them the best prices for swaps by aggregating multiple DEXs. In this way, they are better for overall fees (not just gas fees). Multiple intent-based DEXs offer gasless transactions, MEV protection, and better order execution, such as CoW Swap, UniswapX and 1inch Fusion. Ethereum Layer 2 (L2) networks exist for the express purpose of lowering transaction costs. Because they typically support the EVM, this means that you can bridge ERC-20 tokens back and forth between them and Ethereum. L2s like Base or Arbitrum often have gas fees at fractions of a cent. Opportunities come with real risk. Crypto is volatile, and outcomes depend on market conditions, regulation, and execution. Do your own research and never commit funds you can’t afford to lose. Stay informed, favor projects with clear utility and sound fundamentals, and make decisions with a long-term view of the ERC-20 ecosystem.
What are the Drawbacks of Buying ERC-20 Tokens?
As with any new and popular product development things rarely go according to plan. If the Ethereum blockchain is to keep hold of its envied number two position, it must iron out a number of issues moving forward. Therefore, while ERC-20 tokens offer exciting possibilities there are also a number of downsides to consider –🌐 Dependence on the Ethereum Network
💸 High Gas Fees From Network Congestion
🔒 Smart Contract Risk
How to Buy ERC-20 Tokens
To buy ERC-20 tokens, first set up a wallet like Best Wallet or MetaMask and secure your recovery phrase offline. Buy ETH on a centralized exchange and it to your wallet carefully. You can also buy ETH directly on Best Wallet with your credit card.
How to Minimize Ethereum Gas Fees When Buying ERC-20 Tokens
One of the downsides of buying ERC-20 tokens that you will encounter is gas fees. Ethereum is notorious for having high gas fees, especially during times of heightened on-chain activity. Here are a few strategies that you can use to minimize gas fees when buying the top ERC-20 tokens.⛽ Check Ethereum Gas Fees
Safe Gas Price
Average Gas Price
Fast Gas Price
🐮 Use Intent-Based DEXs
🌉 Bridge to Layer 2 Networks
Methodology: How We Rated The Best ERC-20 Tokens
Having a sound methodology is crucial in producing results that are both accurate and tangible. Without sound reasoning, it is impossible to come to concrete conclusions. Sound methodology always underpins quality statistics. To arrive at our conclusions, we have looked at a variety of factors that each investor must consider before buying any of our featured projects.Highest Growth Potential – 25%
Recent Market Performance – 25%
Level of Utility – 20%
Developer Activity – 15%
Community Support – 10%
Alignment with Current Trends – 5%
Conclusion
ERC-20 tokens sit at the core of today’s crypto landscape. They underpin DeFi, NFTs, meme coins, and even AI-focused projects. This guide highlighted 10 notable ERC-20 options to consider, depending on your goals and risk profile.FAQs
What is the best ERC-20 token?
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