The year 2024 marked a historic surge in the cryptocurrency market, with total market capitalization nearly doubling from approximately $1.7 trillion in January to close to **$3.4 trillion by year-end. Bitcoin broke the psychological barrier of $100,000**, reaching an all-time high (ATH) of **$107,000, while Ethereum surpassed $4,000 twice during the bullish momentum. Among the standout performers, Virtuals Protocol (VIRTUAL) led the pack with an astronomical gain of 26,596%, followed closely by meme coins and AI-driven projects like SPX6900, Popcat, and Turbo**.
This article explores the top 10 highest-gaining cryptocurrencies of 2024—those that not only captured investor attention but also rode powerful narratives such as AI agents, meme coin mania, real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, and the rise of high-performance blockchains like Solana and Base.
Market Overview: What Drove Crypto’s 2024 Surge?
The explosive growth in 2024 was fueled by a combination of macroeconomic developments and on-chain innovation. Key catalysts included:
- Approval of spot Ethereum ETFs by the U.S. SEC, echoing Bitcoin's earlier ETF success.
- Heightened geopolitical tensions and shifts in U.S. fiscal policy post-election.
- Breakthroughs in quantum computing and AI, notably Google's advancements.
- Rising institutional interest in blockchain-based financial infrastructure.
On the technical front, Layer 2 solutions like Base—backed by Coinbase—and high-speed networks such as Solana gained massive traction. According to DefiLlama, Solana’s market share grew from 2.7% in January to over 7.1% by December, while Base’s surged from 0.8% to 3%, reflecting strong developer and user adoption.
This analysis focuses exclusively on cryptocurrencies listed in the top 300 by market cap on CoinGecko as of January 1, 2024, ensuring relevance and data consistency.
1 Virtuals Protocol (VIRTUAL): +26,596%
Virtuals Protocol emerged as the undisputed leader among crypto gainers in 2024, delivering investors a return of over 265x. Its native token, VIRTUAL, started the year trading just above $0.013 and saw steady growth through Q3 before exploding in Q4 amid rising interest in decentralized AI agents.
Why Did VIRTUAL Surge?
Virtuals Protocol is a no-code platform built on the Base L2 network, enabling users to create, deploy, and monetize AI agents—autonomous programs capable of learning, decision-making, and executing tasks across platforms. These AI agents found applications in trading bots, content creation, customer service automation, and even gaming.
The project gained significant momentum due to:
- Strategic partnerships, including one with Nillion for private AI data storage.
- Listings on major exchanges like KuCoin, MEXC, BitMart, and Phemex in late 2024.
- The broader trend toward decentralized AI infrastructure.
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As artificial intelligence became a dominant narrative in tech and finance, Virtuals Protocol positioned itself at the intersection of Web3 and AI, making it one of the most talked-about projects of the year.
2 SPX6900 (SPX): +10,194%
SPX6900 is a satirical multi-chain meme coin launched via Uniswap in August 2023. Running on both Ethereum and Solana, it aims to reach a $69 trillion market cap—a bold statement mocking traditional financial systems.
SPX began gaining traction in Q3 2024, climbing from around $0.018 to over $0.11, before peaking at $0.98 on October 13 following a viral community campaign. The surge was amplified by influencer endorsements and listings on MEXC, BitMart, and AscendEX.
A key development came on December 16, when SPX was integrated into Kamino Finance on Solana, allowing liquidity providers to earn yield on SPX/SOL pairs.
Meme coins like SPX thrive on community energy, humor, and decentralization—and SPX6900 exemplified this spirit perfectly in 2024.
3 Popcat (POPCAT): +9,954%
Popcat, inspired by the viral “singing cat” meme featuring Oatmeal the feline, became the third-largest gainer of 2024. Trading above $0.0076** at the start of the year, POPCAT soared to an ATH of **$2.05 on November 17.
Launched fairly on Raydium in December 2023, Popcat quickly built a loyal following within the Solana ecosystem. Its rise was fueled by:
- Inclusion on major platforms like Bybit in June.
- Multi-chain expansion with a launch on PancakeSwap.
- Becoming the first cat-themed meme coin to surpass a $1 billion market cap on September 24.
As Solana solidified its reputation as the go-to chain for meme coins, Popcat rode that wave to become one of the network’s most valuable meme assets.
4 MANTRA (OM): +5,779%
MANTRA’s OM token stood out as the top performer in the real-world asset (RWA) sector. Starting the year near $0.05**, OM surged past **$3.4, peaking at $4.55 in December after the official mainnet launch.
OM powers Mantra Chain—a Cosmos-based Layer 1 blockchain designed for compliant tokenization of real-world assets such as bonds, real estate, and private equity.
Key milestones in 2024:
- Raised $11 million in a funding round led by Shorooq Investors.
- Launched testnet and ambassador program in Q1.
- Announced mainnet rollout in Q3, with full activation in October.
The convergence of regulatory clarity and growing demand for off-chain asset tokenization made OM a favorite among institutional and retail investors alike.
5 Mog Coin (MOG): +5,132%
MOG, an Ethereum-based cat-themed meme coin branding itself as the “first internet culture coin,” achieved remarkable growth despite entering the scene earlier than most 2024 darlings.
MOG expanded to the Base network in March and received major visibility boosts after being listed on Binance Futures (November) and Coinbase (December). These listings coincided with a surge in investor interest, pushing MOG to new highs.
With its “joycat” mascot and community-driven ethos promoting positivity and self-improvement, MOG carved out a unique identity within the crowded meme coin space.
6 Aerodrome Finance (AERO): +2,663%
As the largest DeFi protocol on Base, Aerodrome Finance played a central role in driving liquidity and innovation on Coinbase’s L2 chain. AERO began 2024 near $1 and climbed to over **$3.7**, boosted by:
- Listing on Coinbase in February.
- Introduction of Slipstream—a yield-enhancing mechanism based on concentrated liquidity.
- Reaching over $1 billion in TVL by September.
Aerodrome’s success reflects the broader adoption of Base as a scalable, low-cost environment for DeFi applications.
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7 Turbo (TURBO): +2,451%
Turbo is a unique case—a meme coin entirely created using AI tools. From naming (via ChatGPT-4) to branding (via Midjourney), TURBO was born from a challenge to build a successful project with only $69.
Launched on Ethereum in 2023, TURBO exploded in late 2024 after listings on Binance and Coinbase. In December, the community announced TurboChain, a new Layer 1 blockchain developed with Aurora Labs and NEAR Protocol—positioning TURBO beyond just a meme coin.
Its blend of AI origin story and community ownership captured imaginations across Web3.
8 Pepe (PEPE): +1,324%
PEPE—the original frog meme coin—proved its staying power in 2024. Despite launching years prior, PEPE surged past previous highs thanks to:
- Renewed attention following Ethereum ETF approval rumors.
- Listings on Robinhood and Coinbase’s perpetual futures platform.
- Strong community loyalty and recurring viral moments.
PEPE reached an ATH of $0.000017 after the May ETF news and continued climbing into Q4.
9 Dogwifhat (WIF): +1,101%
WIF became one of Solana’s most traded assets in 2024. Starting near $0.15**, it spiked to **$4.83 after Binance listing news before settling above $1.8.
With its iconic pink-hat-wearing dog meme aesthetic and strong presence across social media, WIF remained a favorite among retail traders throughout the year.
10 Bitget Token (BGB): +1,003%
BGB powered one of the fastest-growing centralized exchanges of 2024. Bitget expanded its user base from 25 million to over 45 million, launched more than 240 new tokens, and destroyed 800 million BGB tokens (40% supply).
Additional drivers:
- Merging BWB wallet token with BGB.
- Strategic partnerships with La Liga and TON ecosystem.
- Active involvement in meme coin promotions and pre-market trading events.
By year-end, Bitget ranked as the world’s fourth-largest crypto exchange by volume.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Are meme coins sustainable long-term investments?
While highly volatile, meme coins can offer outsized returns during bull markets. Projects with strong communities and utility integrations—like Popcat or WIF—are more likely to retain value post-hype.
Q: Why did AI-related crypto projects perform so well in 2024?
AI became a mainstream technological focus in 2024. Projects combining AI with blockchain—such as Virtuals Protocol—offered tangible use cases for automation, data privacy, and decentralized intelligence.
Q: Is Base outperforming other Layer 2 networks?
Yes. Backed by Coinbase’s ecosystem and user base, Base saw rapid growth in DeFi activity and new project launches—making it one of the most influential L2s of 2024.
Q: What role did exchange listings play in price increases?
Listings on top exchanges like Binance and Coinbase significantly boosted visibility and liquidity for smaller projects like MOG, SPX6900, and TURBO—often triggering immediate price spikes.
Q: Can real-world asset tokenization scale?
Yes. With projects like MANTRA leading compliance-focused RWA infrastructure, institutions are increasingly exploring blockchain for asset tokenization—potentially unlocking trillions in illiquid capital.
Q: Should I invest based on past performance?
Past performance does not guarantee future results. Always conduct independent research (DYOR) and consider risk tolerance before investing.
Final Thoughts
The top gainers of 2024 reflect two dominant forces: community-driven narratives (meme coins) and technology-driven innovation (AI agents, RWA). Six of the top ten were meme coins—proof that culture still moves markets—but projects like Virtuals Protocol and MANTRA show that substance can deliver extraordinary returns too.
As we look ahead to 2025, expect deeper integration between AI and blockchain, continued institutional adoption of tokenized assets, and evolving narratives around decentralized autonomy.
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