3 Cryptos to Buy Now for Long-Term Gains in 2024 & Beyond

March 22, 2026 Rachel Kim – Technology Editor Technology

Cryptocurrency markets presented a mixed picture on Sunday, March 22, 2026, with Bitcoin trading around $68,994.53 and Ethereum at $2,087.05, according to data from Crypto.com. Despite recent dips, analysts suggest a long-term investment horizon could yield significant returns, citing historical cycles and increasing institutional interest.

Bitcoin, often considered the gateway cryptocurrency, has demonstrated substantial growth over the past decade, rising from $100 in April 2013 to approximately $68,784 as of today, according to CoinMarketCap. This represents a 1,000-fold increase in a relatively short period. The White House has signaled a pro-crypto stance, including the establishment of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve in March 2025, potentially bolstering investor confidence.

While past performance doesn’t guarantee future success, the increasing adoption of Bitcoin by institutional investors is a key factor driving optimism. Wall Street firms continue to develop financial products linked to Bitcoin’s price, further integrating it into traditional financial systems.

Solana, currently priced at $87.74, is emerging as a potential competitor to Ethereum, despite Ethereum’s long-standing dominance in blockchain innovation. Data from CoinCodex shows Solana’s 24-hour trading volume on decentralized exchanges has already surpassed Ethereum’s. This growth is attributed to Solana’s faster speeds and lower transaction costs, making it an attractive option for decentralized finance (DeFi) applications.

Cathie Wood, of Ark Invest, has highlighted Solana’s potential as a disruptive force in the blockchain space. Solana is also unique among major Layer-1 blockchains in its focus on mobile-centric growth, potentially expanding its user base.

Chainlink, trading at $8.78, is positioned as a crucial component of the future of DeFi. As a decentralized blockchain oracle network, Chainlink facilitates the connection between blockchains and real-world data, enabling the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs). Consulting firms estimate the RWA tokenization market could reach a value of trillions of dollars.

Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) aims to streamline the transfer of digital assets across different blockchains. Some analysts have likened CCIP to TCP/IP, the foundational protocol of the internet, suggesting its potential to grow a standard for interoperability.

Historical data indicates significant returns for early investors in Solana and Chainlink. Solana has increased over 10,000% since its 2020 launch, while Chainlink has risen nearly 6,000% since 2019. However, the crypto market is inherently volatile, and investors should be prepared for substantial price fluctuations.

As of today, CoinDesk reports that LIGHT is the top gainer, up 16.11%, while FileCoin is the largest loser, down 10.02%.