There are thousands of crypto currencies and token world wide at this point. It is a sea of opportunity that has gems and fakes all around. It is hard to decide which are safe and strong investments. Which will flop and which will moon. It is never easy to either predict or prepare for the future. There are so many variables that can change an outcome.
What are safe bets for cryptos? This is not financial advice but just what I have observed. Platform tokens seem to be very stable and the back bone of crypto currencies and the blockchain. What are platform tokens? Well, they are tokens that you need to run on a blockchain platform, they allow developers to run smart contract software programs on a network system. You need the native coin of that platform to run such smart contracts.
One of the largest and well known platform token is Ethereum (ETH). This would be an example of a safe, stable platform token and is ranked #2 on the global crypto currency/token market. Other well known platform coins are NEO, Cardano (ADA), IOTA, NEM and Qtum. EOS is a newer platform token but the system is not up and running and still needs to prove itself once it goes live.
Substratum (SUB) is a up and coming platform token that is using a decentralized approach to access internet content. Using their software enables you to access content through nodes on the blockchain. You can run such a node on your home computer and be a part of the new decentralized, blockchain internet. Substratum is an answer to having to use VPN's (virtual private network) which are costly and can be shut down. About 1/3 of this planet could use Substratum right now and benefit.
Ark is another newer platform that utilizes "smart bridge" technology. This will create a web of connections to all blockchains in use by means of Vendor Fields and Encoded Listner nodes. This technology will allow ARK to "talk" to multiple blockchains. This is a very important feature for crypto currencies, tokens and smart contracts to function globally.
Lisk is an open source blockchain that utilizes JavaScript as its source code. JavaScript is user friendly and massively popular world wide. No new computer languages would need to be learned to access, develop or utilizing decentralized apps (dapps). Lisk can use side chains which is a must for scalability issues. Lisk is not a new comer and looks very promising. They use a Delegated Proof of Stake which is a form of a democratic governance that helps to avoid the dreaded centralization issue.
ICON slogan is to hyperconnect the world. A south Korean based group ICON hopes to connect the multiple blockchains by means of their token ICX. They use a Loopchain and Nexus technology to help interconnect communication and functionality between blockchain nodes. This is a decentralized platform system as well. A pattern is being established here. Do you see it? It is a race towards decentralized platforms. This is key. This is also where the money is. The top 5 to 10 platforms that accomplish this will be the winners.
Vechain Thor is a newer contender in this race towards decentralized platforms. I would also put this one on the watch list. Unfortunately there is no way around doing research and due diligence when wanting to invest in Fin Tech. It is not easy and it is growing so fast that most can not keep up. Try not to panic and think you need to pick the 600% gainer every time. Having 2 to 3 good platform tokens in your portfolio is all that you need. Do not worry if your 3 pick only gain 200% gains and other had a 400% gain. All will be winners. Just be patient, stick to your strategy and do not chase the "current hot coin" trend. Many of these coins will really shine over the next 3 plus years. You are not an investor failure if your crypto portfolio takes 3 years to really mature. BE PATIENT, it will come.
A great reference article can be found here : https://www.investinblockchain.com/top-undervalued-platform-coins/
image from: steemit, themerkle.com, bitcoinst.com, lisk.io, teepublic.com,