The cryptocurrency market is vast, featuring over 2,000 digital assets that vary in price, trading volume, market capitalization, and popularity. While some coins may appear valuable—like a hypothetical asset priced at $20,000—they often lack sufficient liquidity to make them viable for active trading.
In reality, only a small fraction of these thousands of cryptocurrencies are actively traded. Most traders focus on a select group of high-liquidity assets and their trading pairs. So, what are the best cryptocurrency pairs to trade? And how can you choose the right ones to maximize your profit potential?
How to Choose the Best Crypto Trading Pairs
Successful trading begins with research. Traders typically analyze a handful of promising cryptocurrencies before diving into technical analysis to identify trends and market movements. However, before any chart analysis or strategy development, one crucial decision must be made: selecting the right trading pair.
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While fundamental and technical analyses are essential, they come after choosing a strong trading pair. The wrong pair can lead to slippage, low execution speed, and minimal profits—or even losses. Here’s how to make an informed choice.
Understanding Popular Cryptocurrency Pairs
Start by examining which pairs dominate trading activity across major exchanges. You’ll notice many "coin-to-fiat" or stablecoin pairings like BTC/USD or ETH/USDT. Among crypto-to-crypto pairs, BTC/ETH, ETH/LTC, USDT/BTC, and BTC/LTC are consistently popular.
These combinations thrive due to high demand for core assets such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), and Tether (USDT). High demand translates into more buyers and sellers, enabling faster trade execution and tighter spreads—key ingredients for profitable trading.
To uncover hidden opportunities beyond the usual suspects, study the trading volume of lesser-known coins and see which major assets they’re paired with. For instance, if you spot growing volume in SOL/USDT or ADA/BTC, it might signal emerging interest worth exploring.
Why Liquidity Matters Most
Liquidity is the cornerstone of successful crypto trading. It refers to how quickly you can buy or sell an asset without significantly affecting its price. High liquidity means there are enough market participants to absorb your orders at fair prices.
Beyond faster execution, high liquidity reduces risk. In a volatile or bearish market, illiquid assets can become nearly impossible to offload unless you drastically lower your asking price. With liquid pairs like BTC/USDT or ETH/BTC, you’re far more likely to exit positions swiftly and securely.
Market demand drives liquidity. That’s why the most traded cryptocurrencies—BTC, ETH, USDT, BNB, BCH, and LTC—also form the backbone of the most reliable trading pairs.
Choosing the Right Base Currency
The base currency in a trading pair (e.g., BTC in BTC/ETH) plays a pivotal role in determining accessibility and profitability.
Bitcoin (BTC) remains the most widely accepted base currency. Despite not being technologically superior to newer blockchains, BTC’s global recognition ensures massive liquidity. Nearly every exchange lists BTC pairs, making it a universal gateway into crypto trading.
Ethereum (ETH) follows closely behind. Its robust ecosystem of decentralized applications and smart contracts fuels consistent demand. ETH pairs like ETH/USDT or ETH/BNB offer excellent volatility and volume for active traders.
Then there’s Tether (USDT)—the leading stablecoin pegged to the US dollar. USDT combines crypto efficiency with price stability, making it ideal for risk management and day trading. With the highest 24-hour trading volume among all cryptocurrencies, USDT has become the default quote currency on most exchanges.
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Advantages of One Pair Over Another
Not all popular pairs are equal. Some offer better opportunities depending on your exchange, strategy, and market conditions.
For example, while ETH/BTC is heavily traded globally, certain platforms like BKEX see higher volume in EOS/USDT. This means traders on those exchanges may find better pricing and deeper order books in niche pairs.
Similarly, LTC/BTC was once dominant, but LTC/USDT now surpasses it in both volume and liquidity. This shift reflects broader market trends: stablecoin pairs are increasingly preferred for their predictability and ease of valuation.
Choosing the optimal pair gives you two key advantages:
- Higher profit potential due to tighter spreads and better price action.
- More frequent trading opportunities thanks to a larger pool of buyers and sellers.
Top Cryptocurrency Trading Pairs by Year: A Historical Perspective
Market dynamics evolve rapidly. What worked in 2018 may no longer be relevant today. Understanding historical trends helps traders anticipate shifts and build resilient strategies.
Best Crypto Pairs in 2018
In 2018, Bitcoin dictated market sentiment. Most trading pairs revolved around BTC due to its dominance and reliability. Ethereum, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash were also widely adopted.
A major highlight was Ripple (XRP). Though launched earlier, XRP gained institutional traction in 2017–2018 when global banks like MUFG and Banco Santander began exploring its blockchain for cross-border payments.
Top pairs in 2018 included:
- BTC/ETH
- ETH/BTC
- XRP/BTC
- XRP/LTC
- BCH/ETH
- ETH/XRP
These pairs offered strong liquidity and clear technical patterns suitable for both beginners and experienced traders.
Leading Pairs in 2019
2019 brought significant changes. Bitcoin fatigue set in as its trading volume declined slightly. Meanwhile, new projects gained momentum.
EOS emerged as a serious competitor to Ethereum, offering faster transactions and scalability. Binance Coin (BNB) also rose in prominence after Binance Exchange expanded its ecosystem.
Notably, LTC and BCH began losing ground in top-tier pairings despite maintaining decent volume.
The standout pair of 2019 was BTC/USDT—a match that redefined crypto trading. Its unmatched liquidity made it ideal for new traders and high-frequency strategies alike.
Other top pairs:
- BTC/ETH
- XRP/BTC
- XRP/ETH
- USDT/XRP
- ETH/USDT
Top Crypto Pairs in 2020
By 2020, cryptocurrencies had gained wider acceptance worldwide. Governments and institutions began exploring digital assets for payments and settlements.
USDT solidified its position as the most-traded cryptocurrency by volume. As a result, USDT-based pairs dominated: USDT/BTC, USDT/ETH, USDT/XRP, and USDT/EOS became go-to choices for traders seeking stability and opportunity.
EOS received major upgrades, improving speed and security—leading to increased adoption on exchanges.
Meanwhile, Tron (TRX) gained traction as a content-sharing platform. Backed by new investments, TRX saw rising prices and growing trade volume across Asian markets.
Popular TRX pairs included:
- TRX/BTC
- TRX/XRP
- TRX/ETH
Traders active on exchanges like OKEx or Huobi found strong momentum in these pairings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the most profitable cryptocurrency pair to trade?
A: BTC/USDT is widely considered the most profitable due to its high liquidity, tight spreads, and consistent volatility—ideal for day trading and swing strategies.
Q: Should I trade crypto-to-crypto or crypto-to-stablecoin pairs?
A: Stablecoin pairs (like ETH/USDT) offer more predictable pricing and are easier to manage during volatile markets. Crypto-to-crypto pairs (like BTC/ETH) can offer higher returns but come with added complexity.
Q: How does liquidity affect my trades?
A: High liquidity ensures faster order execution at desired prices, reduces slippage, and minimizes the risk of being stuck in a position during downturns.
Q: Is it safe to trade low-volume pairs for higher gains?
A: Low-volume pairs may offer big swings, but they carry higher risks due to manipulation potential and difficulty exiting positions quickly. Stick to well-established pairs unless you have advanced risk controls.
Q: Can I profit from stablecoin pairs?
A: Yes—especially through arbitrage, yield strategies, or short-term technical plays. Stablecoins reduce exposure to broad market crashes while still allowing access to active trading environments.
Q: How often do the best trading pairs change?
A: The core pairs (BTC/USDT, ETH/USDT) remain stable year-round, but secondary pairs shift based on news, technology updates, and investor sentiment—so regular analysis is crucial.
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