Weiss Ratings, a private company which provides research and analysis for consumers and business professionals, has released its list of 93 cryptocurrency ratings for free this week — with Bitcoin (BTC), Cardano (ADA), EOS (EOS), Ethereum (ETH), Ripple (XRP), Stellar (XLM), and TRON (TRX) coming out on top.
FREE THIS WEEK
Weiss Ratings, the only financial rating agency currently offering cryptocurrency reviews, has released its full list of 93 coins and tokens to the public for free – this week only. Access to the list is usually reserved exclusively for paid subscribers.
Additionally, Weiss has, for the first time, revealed its two underlying component grades for each cryptocurrency. One grade scores a cryptocurrency’s technology and adoption, while a second rates its risk-to-reward ratio. Explains Weiss Ratings’ founder Martin Weiss:
Developers want a grade based exclusively on what their cryptocurrency project has achieved in terms of technology and adoption, regardless of market fluctuations. In contrast, investors seem to be more interested in how much money they can make or lose. Our overall Weiss Rating is a blend of both. But now, we are also breaking out the components so users can better understand what’s under the hood.
TOP OF THE CLASS
Among cryptocurrencies with a market capitalization of $5 billion, only seven currently merit an overall Weiss Rating of B- or higher. Those seven are Bitcoin (BTC), Cardano (ADA), EOS (EOS), Ethereum (ETH), Ripple (XRP), Stellar (XLM), and TRON (TRX).
For the first time, Weiss has also disclosed the grades behind each rating, explaining, “Bitcoin’s B- rating is composed of a B grade for Technology/Adoption and a D+ for Investment Risk/Reward; EOS’ B rating is composed of an A- grade for Technology/Adoption and a C- for Investment Risk/Reward; and Ethereum’s B- rating is composed of a B grade for Technology/Adoption and a C- for Investment Risk/Reward.”
BOTTOM FEEDERS
Not every cryptocurrency received passable scores.
Among cryptocurrencies with a market capitalization of $100 million or more, four currently represent the worst of the worst. Those four are Bitcoin Gold (BTG), Bitcoin Private (BTCP), Electroneum (ETN), and ReddCoin (RDD).
Furthermore, among the 93 cryptocurrencies covered, not one received an overall Weiss Rating of A+, A or A- (excellent). Instead, “14 are rated B or B- (good); 54 are rated C+, C or C- (fair); 16 are rated D+, D or D- (weak); and 9 are rated E+, E, or E- (very weak).”
While some may feel that Weiss’ ratings are low across the board, the company has explained its reasoning for giving no cryptocurrency higher than a B. Notes Weiss:
The overall Weiss Rating is based on a complex algorithm — not simply an average of the two component grades. At this stage in the industry’s transition to newer technologies, it remains extremely difficult for any one coin to achieve top scores across the board. Older generation coins with broader adoption typically lag in technology. Alternative coins with more advanced technology lag in adoption. And none currently have a risk-reward balance that’s comparable to many traditional investments.
