The surge in artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrencies has been the key driver for some of the biggest tech stock gains in 2024. The Nasdaq has risen by 33%, with AI being a major factor, while cryptocurrencies also experienced significant growth. Five companies have stood out due to their ties to these industries: AppLovin, MicroStrategy, Palantir, Robinhood, and Nvidia.
AppLovin, which started 2024 with a $13 billion market cap, has skyrocketed to over $110 billion, with its stock price up by 758%. Originally known for mobile gaming, the company has pivoted to ad technology powered by AI, significantly boosting profits. CEO Adam Foroughi highlighted a fast-growing e-commerce project that blends targeted ads with gaming, further fueling optimism around AppLovin’s future.
MicroStrategy, traditionally a business intelligence firm, saw its stock jump 467% in 2024. This increase is largely due to its strategy of buying bitcoin, which has made it the fourth-largest holder of the cryptocurrency. Its stockpile of over 444,000 bitcoins is now worth approximately $44 billion. Founder Michael Saylor, a prominent bitcoin advocate, has benefitted from the rally, especially after the election of Donald Trump, who gained significant crypto industry backing.
Palantir, the data analytics firm with close ties to the U.S. government, surged by 380% this year. Its success is driven by strong demand for AI technologies, especially from defense agencies. Despite political divisions within the company, its financial performance has exceeded expectations, with significant revenue growth forecast for 2025. CEO Alex Karp remains optimistic about continued demand for advanced AI solutions.
Robinhood also benefited from the crypto boom, with shares more than tripling. Revenue from crypto transactions rose 165%, highlighting the company’s growing role in facilitating crypto trades alongside stocks. CEO Vlad Tenev has emphasized that crypto will transform financial infrastructure, suggesting that Robinhood is well-positioned for long-term growth, particularly as crypto gains mainstream acceptance.
Lastly, Nvidia, the dominant player in AI hardware, has continued its impressive rise. After a 239% gain last year, Nvidia’s stock rose another 183% in 2024, bringing its market cap to $3.4 trillion. As the largest supplier of graphics processing units (GPUs) for AI applications, Nvidia has capitalized on the AI boom, with annual revenues soaring by over 94% in recent quarters. CEO Jensen Huang announced the full production of Nvidia’s next-gen AI chip, Blackwell, which is expected to generate significant revenue in the coming quarters.
In summary, the top tech stocks of 2024 have been fueled by rapid advancements in AI and crypto, which are reshaping industries and creating enormous growth potential. However, the future remains uncertain for these companies as the tech landscape evolves.