Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research (DYOR) and consult a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Benjamin Graham, widely regarded as the father of value investing, outlined his philosophy in the legendary book The Intelligent Investor. First published in 1949, the book emphasizes long-term thinking, margin of safety, intrinsic value, and protection from market volatility principles that have influenced generations of investors.

He was also the mentor to Warren Buffett, who often praises Graham’s teachings, though the crypto community doesn’t exactly return the favor, especially since Buffett doesn’t seem to like Bitcoin. Let’s just say we’ll adopt Graham’s principles without necessarily subscribing to all of his disciples’ views. While the world of crypto may seem chaotic and speculative, certain projects align well with Graham’s timeless investing philosophy.

In this article, we apply Graham’s core principles to identify cryptocurrencies that possess:

• Intrinsic value

• Margin of safety

• Stability, transparency, and real-world utility

1. Focus on real-world utility: Projects must serve a tangible purpose, not just promises or hype.

2. Cash flow or value streams: Preference is given to tokens that generate revenues or are tied to sustainable models.

3. Resilience in bear markets: We look for projects that maintain developer activity and community even during downturns.

4. Price vs. fundamentals: Undervalued tokens relative to their usage and adoption are prioritized.

Here’s a curated list of cryptocurrencies that align with Graham’s investment approach:

Ethereum (ETH) Ethereum remains the backbone of decentralized applications, smart contracts, and the DeFi ecosystem. Its transition to Proof-of-Stake has reduced energy consumption and increased scalability. Despite its dominance, ETH is often undervalued during bear markets, offering disciplined investors long-term upside potential.

Chainlink (LINK) Chainlink provides the essential oracle infrastructure that powers most DeFi protocols, connecting blockchain smart contracts with real-world data. Though its utility is widely acknowledged in the developer space, LINK often lags in price action—making it a hidden gem for value investors.

Bitcoin (BTC) The original cryptocurrency and digital gold, Bitcoin is the most secure and decentralized store of value in the space. It doesn’t generate cash flows, but its predictable issuance, fixed supply, and macro relevance offer a compelling case for inclusion in a Graham-style portfolio.

Cosmos (ATOM) Cosmos pioneers interoperability between blockchains through its IBC protocol. While not as hyped as other L1s, it consistently delivers technical innovations and supports a growing ecosystem, offering a strong foundation and resilience—hallmarks of Graham’s approach.

Arbitrum (ARB) Arbitrum is the leading Ethereum Layer 2 solution by usage and TVL. Despite this, its native token is still relatively undervalued, presenting a case of high utility not yet fully priced in. For investors seeking usage-driven opportunities, ARB is a prime candidate.

Monero (XMR) A privacy-focused cryptocurrency, Monero has proven technical strength and loyal community support. Though it faces regulatory headwinds, its fundamentals remain strong. Its underexposure in mainstream narratives offers an unusual advantage for contrarian investors.

Render (RNDR) Render offers decentralized GPU rendering services for 3D applications, AI, and metaverse use cases. As demand for compute power grows, RNDR is well-positioned with a clear utility model, giving it long-term investment appeal.

Sui (SUI) Built with the Move programming language, Sui is a high-performance Layer 1 focused on scalability and user-friendly development. Although early in adoption, its technical promise and developer interest place it on the radar for long-term investors.

Aptos (APT) Launched by ex-Meta engineers, Aptos aims to deliver a smooth, secure smart contract platform. Despite a VC-heavy backing, its strong team and infrastructure potential give it substance that value investors can track over time.

ONDO Finance

ONDO stands out as one of the few crypto projects that generates real revenue. It is linked to tokenized real-world assets (like Treasury Bonds), offers yield, and has partnerships with traditional giants such as BlackRock. For a Graham-style investor, ONDO represents a bridge between traditional finance and Web3.

Why ONDO aligns with Graham-style investing:

• Real-world revenue generation

• Defined utility and business model

• Low retail hype, institutional credibility

• High margin of safety for long-term holders

Cardano (ADA)

Cardano is a unique case. Built on academic research and peer-reviewed development, it focuses on scalability, interoperability, and sustainability. Although often criticized for slow delivery, it remains one of the most resilient Layer 1 networks, with an active staking community and long-term vision.

Why ADA fits the Graham mindset:

• Strong community and decentralized governance

• Consistent development and ecosystem growth

• Underappreciated during hype cycles

• Provides margin of safety due to low speculation and high fundamental alignment

Benjamin Graham’s investment strategy can absolutely be applied to crypto, if approached with discipline and analytical thinking. Projects that demonstrate real utility, intrinsic value, and a margin of safety can offer significant long-term upside.

As always, due diligence is essential. But for those seeking serious opportunities in the crypto space, this value-driven approach offers a powerful lens through which to invest wisely.