One of the hottest trends to burst onto the financial markets scene in recent history is cryptocurrency. It started in 2009 with a mysterious whitepaper published on the internet that told how to make secure transactions without the need for overseers. The proposed public ledger system, or blockchain, yielded a peer-based digital coinage: Bitcoin. The architects of Bitcoin had forged the first of the field of cryptocurrencies to invest in and given the stock market a new darling.

Meanwhile, designers keep making new digital currencies based on the blockchain model. None has yet to approach Bitcoin's stock price levels or market penetration. Presented here is a list of the best of the top 10 cryptocurrencies to invest in when you decide to enter the digital trading arena. This article contains the opinion of a non-professional based on research; therefore, do not consider anything presented here to be financial investment advice.

Cryptocurrency is a virtual form of money using cryptography to ensure a secure transaction. Based on mathematics, digital currency does not rely on a central issuing authority to regulate it.

No. In fact, most experts view speculating in the digital currency market as a high-risk venture. Similar to commodity trading, making real money with digital money is entirely dependent on the price going up.

Most financial advisers recommend not investing any money in cryptocurrency that you cannot comfortably afford to lose. One percent of your total portfolio is the maximum amount you should ever consider placing in this new form of money, and that much is reasonable only after you gain some experience by investing much smaller amounts.

Digital currency is usually purchased from one of a myriad of exchanges that providers have set up to make cryptocurrency available to the general public. Users can store the digital tokens purchased in various forms of digital wallets. A wallet can be an app, a hardware device or actual pieces of paper with your access codes written or printed on them.

A blockchain is computer code that represents a public ledger of cryptocurrency transactions. The revolutionary aspect of the blockchain is its ability to verify a financial operation with the sole use of cryptography, thus removing the need for a central governing authority such as a bank or other financial institution.

Since most cryptocurrency coins are practically infinitely divisible, investors can get started in the cryptocurrency market for a small amount of money. Experts advise those just entering into this new type of monetary vehicle to start out slowly with a small amount of money that you can easily afford to lose.

The criteria for choosing cryptocurrencies to invest in vary depending on the desired result. One thing to keep in mind is that fanciful dreams of striking it instantly rich are probably not realistic. A lucky few who happened to buy Bitcoin or other successful digital currencies in their infancy did do incredibly well. However, these cases are the exception rather than the rule.

Realistically, investors in cryptocurrency today should hope for long-term profits as the concept of digital money catches on with the general public. Most everyone agrees that cryptocurrency is here to stay, but no one knows what final form or standard will come out on top.

Each form of digital money has features that represent the ideals of its creators. Aspects such as total decentralization, total privacy or support of humanitarian projects tend to define different cryptocurrencies and attract investors who share the values of the developers. This guide attempts to give you a cross-section containing some of the most popular and successful digital currencies along with some of the lesser-known versions with unique or compelling features.

Any attempt to cite prices in a market as volatile as cryptocurrency will always be immediately dated. Many websites exist that provide real-time data on digital currency pricing and value. One such site that you may find useful for determining price and other current data in the cryptocurrency market is Coinranking

Bitcoin probably deserves high ranking on any list of cryptocurrencies to invest in. It was the first digital money and initiated the necessary concept of the blockchain. You can consider it the “gold standard” of cryptocurrency, and the one you with which you should start your investment journey.

Key feature: The nickname "digital gold" describes Bitcoin and its freedom from any issuing government or political institution. It is the first completely independent currency ever to be conceived and implemented.​

One up and coming digital currency that is doing particularly well in Asian markets is NEO. The explosive growth of this newcomer's stock had the crypto world sitting up and taking notice.

Key feature: The differentiating feature of NEO is its native support for smart digital contracts.

Ripple is a digital payment network that uses the premined cryptocurrency known as XRP.

Key feature: The developers of Ripple, or XTD currency, designed it to allow transactions to be inexpensive and quick.​

Where To Buy: Ripple can be purchased through most of the favorite crypto exchanges previously discussed. 

EOS tokens act as the trading currency for the EOS.IO, a blockchain-based network similar to Ethereum that supports the development of decentralized applications.

Key feature: Specific support for the ever-expanding development of dApps, or decentralized applications.

Where To Buy: Buying EOS is a little more complicated than some other cryptocurrencies since the developers blocked the purchase by US citizens. Purchasers must also register EOS tokens on the EOS.IO site. Check out these tutorials on Reddit for in-depth information on what purchasing EOS entails.

Like Bitcoin, Ethereum is based on a blockchain, but it also contains the means to develop decentralized apps used for governance.

Key feature: The Ethereum blockchain platform is capable of creating a globally distributed database, which contains theoretically reliable data.​

Where To Buy: You must purchase Ethereum on exchanges that sell the actual Ether tokens as opposed to just allowing you to buy shares of stock. Try coinbase as a starting point. 

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

The developers of Litecoin refer to the currency as the “silver to Bitcoin's gold.”

Key feature: Litecoin features faster transaction confirmation times and improved storage through the use of the Scrypt algorithm.​

Where To Buy: On any major crypto exchanges, such as coinbase.

Stellar Lumens attempts to help citizens of developing countries rise out of poverty by virtually eliminating high currency exchange rates.

Key feature: Inexpensive currency transfers across borders.​

Where To Buy: The Binance exchange trades the highest volume of Stellar Lumens.

One of the benefits promoters of cryptocurrencies tout is privacy protection. However, with Bitcoin and most other digital coins, identities can be compromised. Zcash attempts to eradicate the possibility of identity encroachment.

Key feature: Zcash is similar to Bitcoin, but it boasts more privacy features.​

Where To Buy: Any exchange that supports Zcash.

Bitcoin Diamond represents an amicable hard fork in the Bitcoin blockchain to improve overall performance.

Key feature: Bitcoin Diamond is a hard fork creation from Bitcoin that has more potential volume.

Where To Buy: On a supporting exchange you must use either Bitcoin or Ethereum for purchasing Bitcoin Diamond.

Developers of MaidSafe advocate fair practices and a sharing of global resources through the use of digital currencies.

Key feature: The start of a globally shared economy.​

Where To Buy: Purchase with Bitcoins on some exchanges like HitBCT or Polinex.