Bitcoin is currently the most valuable and well-known cryptocurrency in the world. As of August 2021, its market capitalization stands at over $800 billion, making it the most valuable of all cryptocurrencies. However, there are many other promising cryptocurrencies that investors can consider. Here are the top 3 most valuable and popular cryptocurrencies, based on their market capitalization.

1. Ethereum

Ethereum is the second most valuable cryptocurrency in the world, with a market capitalization of over $350 billion. It was created in 2015 by a young developer named Vitalik Buterin and has quickly become a major player in the cryptocurrency world. One of the main advantages of Ethereum is its ability to support smart contracts and enable decentralized applications (dApps) to run on its blockchain. This has led to a massive surge in the popularity of Ethereum, as it is now the go-to platform for many decentralized projects.

2. Binance Coin

Binance Coin is the native token of the Binance exchange, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world. It was created in 2017 and has since become one of the most valuable cryptocurrencies, with a market capitalization of over $80 billion. Binance Coin is used to pay for transaction fees on the Binance exchange and can also be used to access exclusive features on the platform. With the growing popularity and adoption of Binance, the value of Binance Coin is expected to continue to rise.

3. Cardano

Cardano is a relatively new cryptocurrency that was created in 2017 by Charles Hoskinson, one of the founders of Ethereum. It has quickly risen in popularity and is now the third most valuable cryptocurrency, with a market capitalization of over $60 billion. Cardano is often touted as the "Ethereum killer" due to its ability to address some of the scalability and security issues that Ethereum faces. It uses a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism, which is more energy-efficient and secure than the proof-of-work mechanism used by Bitcoin and Ethereum.

In conclusion, while Bitcoin remains the most valuable and well-known cryptocurrency, there are many other promising cryptocurrencies worth considering. Ethereum, Binance Coin, and Cardano are the top three most valuable and popular cryptocurrencies, each with unique features and potential for growth. As always, investors should do their own research and carefully evaluate the risks and potential rewards before investing in any cryptocurrency.