So you’ve signed up to CoinJar and you have verified your ID and you have done your first scaredy-cat purchase of $20 worth of Bitcoin. It worked well and now the Bitcoin is sitting in your CoinJar account. The confidence test has been passed and now you are ready to start your life as a crypto bro or sis. So what do you buy first?

A key amount to invest as a starter amount that often gets bandied around is $2000. According to some investors, that’s probably enough skin in the game to make it interesting and get a good return if it goes well, but not a life-changing amount of money to lose if things go Pete Tong. 

Building your first $2,000 crypto portfolio could look different between different people with different investment goals. So here are some ideas to mull over.

Please note, this information is general in nature and for educational purposes only, and is not intended to be financial or investment advice - you should seek independent financial, tax and legal advice before investing in cryptocurrencies.

A Simple, Balanced Portfolio Example

Here’s one way you could allocate your $2,000 across four core categories:

• Bitcoin (BTC)
• Ethereum (ETH)
• XRP (XRP)
• Solana (SOL)

Let’s break down why this mix makes sense for beginners.

1. Bitcoin – The Foundation

Bitcoin is the original cryptocurrency and remains the most widely adopted digital asset. While its price can fluctuate, it’s often seen as “digital gold”. It is seen by some as a long-term store of value. Allocating a solid portion of your portfolio to BTC gives you exposure to crypto’s flagship asset without going all-in.

2. Ethereum – The Innovator

Thousands of decentralised apps (dApps) have been built on The Ethereum Network. These developers and the fans of these dApps all use Ether (ETH) to pay for activities and digital assets both on the Ethereum Network, and on other networks as well. It’s more than just a currency. The Ethereum Network is a programmable blockchain with real-world use. By holding ETH, you’re investing in the ecosystem which is driving a lot of today’s crypto innovation.

3. XRP  – The Bridge Asset

XRP is designed for fast, low-cost international payments, and it is used on the XRP Ledger, making it have real-world use. Unlike many coins that rely on hype, XRP is used by banks and payment providers to move money across borders efficiently.

XRP’s price doesn’t always move in lockstep with Bitcoin or Ethereum, which helps balance your portfolio.

4. Solana – Speed and Low Cost

The Solana Network is known for its speed and low costs. The Solana blockchain has become a popular platform for decentralised finance (DeFi), NFTs, and Web3 applications. Its growing ecosystem of developers and users makes it an attractive option for those seeking exposure to next-generation blockchain technology. 

SOL has a different technical approach compared to Bitcoin and Ethereum, adding further diversification to your portfolio.

Why Diversification Matters (Even at $2K)

Putting all your money into one coin might feel loyal to a particular idea. But it’s also risky. Spreading your investment across different asset types helps smooth out the ups and downs of the market. 

Something to think about is that you don’t have to buy everything at once. On CoinJar, you can set up a recurring buy (investing a fixed amount weekly or monthly). This can help you build your $2,000 position over time, reducing the stress of timing the market.

Progress Over Perfection

Your first $2,000 in crypto is about learning by doing. It can help to build confidence, and get you used to the tech and the way the app works. And, it can push you along the timeline of building your financial future. 

Nobody expects you to walk away in 3 years time with a Lambo and a jewel-encrusted Nano Ledger like Snoop Dogg. However it can get you on the road to thinking about investing seriously and create interesting times ahead. 

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