Few investment decisions haunt portfolios more than the ones never made. Ethereum's climb as the best crypto project in 2014 saw its ICO price tokens at approximately $0.31; by January 2026, ETH trades above $3,100, delivering roughly 10,000x returns for early participants. TON followed a different path: after its 2018 ICO was halted by regulators, early community and ecosystem allocations around $0.38 evolved into today’s $1.73+ valuation, backed by Telegram’s 900M+ user integration. These are textbook cases of asymmetric upside in emerging blockchain project opportunities that were visible, accessible, and heavily discounted at inception.
Today, market observers are watching a similar structured presale unfold: APEMARS ($APRZ), an Ethereum-based token built around a mission narrative of Commander Ape’s solo journey to Mars. As of January 13, 2026, the project is in Stage 3 of its 23-stage presale at $0.00002448 per token, with 82% of the current allocation sold and approximately 3 days, 22 hours remaining before automatic transition to Stage 4 (or earlier in case of full sell-out). The stated listing target of $0.0055 implies a 22,367% ROI from the current entry point. With deflationary token burns scheduled at key stages and staking rewards (63% APY) scheduled to activate two months post-listing, APEMARS is drawing attention as a potential high-conviction play for investors seeking to participate early in a narrative-driven project before broader market discovery.
Ethereum: The ICO That Defined a Generation
Ethereum's Initial Coin Offering (ICO) took place from July 22, 2014, to September 2, 2014 - a 42-day public sale that raised approximately $18.3 million (equivalent to over 31,500 BTC at the time). Tokens were sold at an average price of about $0.31 per ETH, with the rate starting at 2,000 ETH per 1 BTC and gradually adjusting to around 1,337 ETH per 1 BTC by the end. This funding round supported the development of the world's leading smart contract platform, which officially launched in July 2015 and quickly became the foundation for decentralised finance, NFTs, and countless blockchain applications.
As of January 13, 2026, Ethereum (ETH) is trading in the range of $3,100 to $3,144, reflecting a return of more than 10,000 times the original ICO price for early participants. A modest $1,000 investment made during the ICO would now be worth over $10 million. Ethereum's success is widely regarded as one of the most iconic early-entry stories in cryptocurrency history, demonstrating the power of investing in innovative projects at their earliest accessible stages.
TON: From Regulatory Challenge to Community-Driven Success
Toncoin (TON) was born from Telegram’s 2018 ICO plan, which raised $1.7 billion before the U.S. SEC sued in 2019, calling the tokens unregistered securities. Telegram refunded everyone and shut down the public sale, leaving the project to the community.
What happened next became one of crypto’s classic missed-opportunity stories. Early private and testnet rounds priced TON around $0.38. As of January 13, 2026, Toncoin trades at $1.73–$1.76 after a recent 4% dip, delivering roughly 4.5x returns from those initial entry levels. The rebound came from Telegram’s 900+ million users, lightning-fast low-cost transactions, and booming mini-apps and DeFi adoption. Many who missed the ICO later watched in regret as community momentum turned TON into a top layer-1 performer.
APEMARS ($APRZ): A Simple Story of Big Possibility Among the Best Crypto Projects
In the evolving landscape of best crypto projects, APEMARS ($APRZ) emerges as a structured entry point reminiscent of early ICOs that delivered transformative returns. Launched in Q4 2025 by the Ape Space Administration, this Ethereum-based ERC-20 token draws from the narrative of Commander Ape's accidental solo mission to Mars, a 225-million-kilometre odyssey compressed into a 23-stage presale symbolising the journey's milestones. As of January 13, 2026, the presale is actively underway in Stage 3 at $0.00002448 per token, with 82% of the stage sold and $79,347 raised in this phase alone, underscoring growing investor interest amid a market where Bitcoin holds near $91,000.
Positioned as one of the best crypto projects for narrative-driven growth, APEMARS offers key benefits that address common regrets from missed ICOs like Ethereum and TON. Its deflationary Thermal Disposal Protocol schedules quarterly burns of unsold tokens at Stages 6, 12, 18, and 23, reducing the 70 billion total supply to enhance scarcity over time. The Orbital Boost Unit provides 9.34% referral bonuses for invites (minimum $22 contribution), fostering community expansion. Additionally, the APE Yield Station enables staking with 63% APY tokens that can be staked immediately after presale participation, with rewards activating two months post-listing, creating a time-sensitive incentive for passive income that could compound gains significantly if entered early.
Investment Scenario: A $1,300 Entry in Stage 3 and Projected Outcomes
For investors eyeing redemption from past missed opportunities, consider a $1,300 allocation at the current Stage 3 price of $0.00002448. This would secure approximately 53.1 million $APRZ tokens, visible immediately in your dashboard. Based on the project's targeted listing price of $0.0055 on decentralised exchanges, this position could appreciate to over $292,050, representing a projected 22,367% ROI from today's entry point. With only about 3 days and 22 hours remaining before Stage 3 transitions (or earlier upon sell-out), this scenario highlights the urgency: earlier stages offered even higher multiples (e.g., Stage 1's potential ~32,000%), but delays risk higher entry costs and diminished upside in a presale designed to accelerate momentum.
How to Buy APEMARS: Step-by-Step Guide to Joining the Presale
Participating in one of the best crypto projects like APEMARS is straightforward via the official dashboard. Visit the APEMARS site, connect an Ethereum-compatible wallet such as MetaMask or WalletConnect, select ETH as your payment crypto, input your desired investment amount (e.g., $1,300), and enter a referral code if available for the 9.34% bonus. Confirm the transaction, your $APRZ tokens will appear directly in your personal dashboard for tracking, with no immediate wallet claim required. Always use official links and conduct due diligence, as crypto investments carry inherent risks.
"Market comparisons and valuation context referenced in this article align with broader insights tracked by best crypto to buy now."
Conclusion: Learning from the Past to Spot Tomorrow's Winners
Ethereum and TON stand as powerful reminders of what early entry can achieve in crypto. Ethereum's ICO at roughly $0.31 in 2014 grew to over $3,100 by January 2026 — more than 10,000 times the starting price. TON, even after facing major regulatory obstacles, turned early allocations of $0.38 into 4.5x returns today through strong community drive and Telegram integration. These are not just old stories; they show a clear pattern: the biggest rewards usually come to those who research well and join promising projects when the price is still very low.
Right now, in January 2026, APEMARS ($APRZ) is one of the best crypto projects offering a similar early-stage opportunity. The presale is live, Stage 3 is priced at $0.00002448 (with a targeted listing of $0.0055, which could deliver a 22,367% ROI from this point), already over 80% sold, and with only a few days left before the stage ends and the price automatically increases. Like the early moments of Ethereum and TON, this is a time-sensitive spot where action matters.
For More Information:
Website: Visit the Official APEMARS Website
Telegram: Join the APEMARS Telegram Channel
Twitter: Follow APEMARS ON X (Formerly Twitter)
FAQs for the Best Crypto Projects
What are the best crypto projects to watch in 2026?
The best crypto projects in 2026 include Ethereum for its scalable smart contracts, TON for fast Telegram-integrated transactions, and APEMARS for its narrative-driven memecoin with deflationary burns and 63% APY staking. These offer diverse opportunities, from established networks to high-ROI presales like APEMARS' Stage 3 at $0.00002448.
How did Ethereum's ICO perform historically?
Ethereum's 2014 ICO raised $18.3 million at $0.31 per ETH. By January 2026, it's valued at $3,100+, delivering over 10,000x returns for early investors. This highlights why the best crypto projects like it reward timely participation in innovative blockchain tech.
What makes TON one of the best crypto projects?
TON stands out among the best crypto projects with low-cost, fast transactions and Telegram's 900M+ user base. From early $0.38 entries to $1.73 in 2026, it offers 4-5x gains, emphasising community-driven growth and real-world utility in payments and DeFi.
Is APEMARS a good entry among the best crypto projects?
APEMARS ranks high among the best crypto projects with its live Stage 3 presale at $0.00002448, targeting $0.0055 listing for 22,367% ROI. Features like token burns and referrals create scarcity, making it a timely alternative to missed ICOs.
How can staking boost returns in the best crypto projects like APEMARS?
In the best crypto projects like APEMARS, staking post-presale yields 63% APY rewards starting two months after listing. This passive income compounds gains from low entries, turning a $1,300 buy into potential $292,000+ at listing, encouraging early involvement.
Summary
The best crypto projects of 2026, like Ethereum and TON, show the power of early entries through their massive historical returns—Ethereum's 10,000x from $0.31 ICO and TON's 4-5x from $0.38. APEMARS emerges as a fresh contender among the best crypto projects, with its live Stage 3 presale at $0.00002448 eyeing 22,367% ROI to $0.0055 listing. Built on Ethereum, it features deflationary burns, 9.34% referrals, and 63% APY staking for passive growth. Investors regretting missed ICOs can research APEMARS' 23-stage mission narrative for timely opportunities. According to the best crypto to buy now, such projects blend story-driven appeal with real utility, positioning them for 2026 market cycles.