Mainstream Cryptocurrencies
Bitcoin (BTC)
Bitcoin demonstrated extraordinary growth throughout 2017. Starting the year at $995.44 on January 1st, BTC broke multiple psychological barriers:
- Surpassed $2,000 in May
- Cleared $3,000 in early August
- Reached $4,000 by mid-August
- Broke $5,000 in October
The most explosive growth occurred in November, with BTC ultimately peaking above $19,000 in early December before experiencing corrections that brought it down to around $12,000. This remarkable journey represented an 18.43x increase from its starting price.
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Ethereum (ETH)
Ethereum's 2017 trajectory was equally impressive:
- January 1st: $8.14
- March: Crossed $30
- May: Surpassed $100
- June: Reached $300
- July: Corrected to $200
- August: Recovered to $300
After months of consolidation between $300-$400, ETH surged in late November, ultimately reaching $812.50 - a staggering 98.81x increase from its starting value.
Litecoin (LTC)
Litecoin's steady ascent throughout 2017:
- January: $4.42
- April: $8
- December: Broke $100
- Mid-December: Peaked at $357.51
Total annual gain: 79.88x
Ripple (XRP)
The standout performer of 2017:
- Started at $0.006346
- May: $0.3575
- December: Exploded to $1.93
Total growth: 303x - the highest among major cryptocurrencies
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Emerging Tokens
IOTA (IOT)
The IoT-focused token launched in June at $0.587, experienced volatility with an August peak at $8 before settling, then surged to $5.32 in December - an 8x increase from launch price.
EOS
Demonstrated a classic "hockey stick" growth pattern:
- Stable around $0.50 for most of the year
- November breakout
- December peak: $12.90
Total gain: 24.8x
Market Performance Comparison
| Category | Coin | Starting Price | Peak Price | Growth Multiple |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major Coins | BTC | $995.44 | $19,345 | 18.43x |
| ETH | $8.14 | $812.50 | 98.81x | |
| LTC | $4.42 | $357.51 | 79.88x | |
| XRP | $0.006346 | $1.93 | 303x | |
| Altcoins | IOT | $0.587 | $5.32 | 8x |
| EOS | $0.50 | $12.90 | 24.8x |
FAQ Section
Q: Which cryptocurrency had the highest percentage gain in 2017?
A: Ripple (XRP) led with an extraordinary 303x increase from $0.006346 to $1.93.
Q: Did Bitcoin's growth outperform Ethereum?
A: While Bitcoin achieved higher absolute prices, Ethereum showed stronger percentage growth (98.81x vs Bitcoin's 18.43x).
Q: What was the most surprising performance of 2017?
A: XRP's 303x growth surprised many as it outperformed more established coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Q: How did market corrections affect these gains?
A: Most cryptocurrencies experienced significant pullbacks from their peaks, with Bitcoin dropping about 38% from its high by year-end.
Q: Were these gains sustainable long-term?
A: While 2017 showed remarkable growth, cryptocurrency markets are known for volatility - these unprecedented gains were followed by corrections in subsequent years.
Q: What factors drove XRP's exceptional performance?
A: Increased institutional interest in Ripple's payment solutions and growing adoption by financial institutions contributed to XRP's surge.
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