There are over one thound cryptocurrencies in the market. I list some with short descriptions. Better to know the crypto before putting your real money in.
BTC: No need to say, the first crypto to the world!
ETH: Platform for Dapp and Smart contracts
BCH: Clone from BTC, more secure, lower transaction fee
XRP: Crypto for FIs
LTC: Silver version of BTC
DASH: Similar to BTC, but more anonymous
NEO: ETH in Chinese version
NEM: Digital assets for New Economy Movement
XMR: Anonymous digital currency
ETC: Clone from ETH
IOTA: Making everything traderable on the internet (The Internet Of Things)
QTUM: Smart contact for commercial usage
OMG: Payment system for banks, exchanges and corporates
ZEC: Anonymous digital currency
LISK: Dapp written in JAVA
ADA: Digital currency and smart contract
TETHER: 1 USDT = 1 USD
XLM: IOU for digital currency
EOS: Different version to ETH
HSR: Exchanger of blockchains
WAVES: Decentralized exchange and crowd funding
STRATIS: Dapp written in C#
KMD: Decentralized ICO
ARK: Exchanger of blockchains
ETN: Clone from Monero (XMR)
BCN: Anonymous digital currency
STEEM: This forum! Crypto version of REDDIT
ARDR: Build blockchains for other companies as a service (BaaS)
BNB: Token of Binance
AUGUR: Decentralized prediction markets
PPT: Bill financial system on blockchain
DCR: Autonomous digital currency
PAY: Payment system for digital currencies
MAID: Hard disc space renting
BITCOINDARK: Clone from XZC
BTS: Decentralized exchange
GNT: Idle computer power renting
PIVX: Clone from DASH, no inflation
GAS: Fuel cost for NEO
TRX: Payment within APP
VTC: Clone from BTC
MONA: Dogecoin in Japanese version
FCT: Smart contracts, digital assets and database integrity
BAT: Decentralized advertizing network
SALT: Digital asset mortgage platform
KNC: Decentralized exchange
DOGE: Clone from BTC
DGD: 1 DGD = 1g of gold
WTC: Blockchain of internet of things