Crypto is on the brink of a pivotal year. While a glaring lack of oversight characterized the 2021 bull run, which led to the spectacular FTX scandal, investors are hoping robust regulation will distinguish the 2026 bull run, making it a crucial transitional phase to global crypto adoption.
The key to things falling into place is the stance of U.S. regulators, particularly whether the US SEC follows through on Project Crypto, the U.S. SEC’s initiative to modernize federal securities laws by providing clearer definitions and more comprehensive rules for crypto businesses.
Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s market dominance has been lessening since summer, a trend that often signals renewed appetite for altcoins like XRP, Solana, and Pepe, which stand to gain the most in a bull market.
XRP (XRP): Payments-Focused Blockchain Targets Fresh Q1 Highs
With a market cap of $125 billion, Ripple’s XRP ($XRP) is the biggest crypto in cross-border payments, thanks to near-instant settlements at very low cost.
Purpose-built for banks and financial institutions, the XRP Ledger (XRPL) makes legacy systems like SWIFT obsolete.
Additionally, Ripple’s technology appears in publications by the United Nations Capital Development Fund and the White House, indicating its position at the forefront of global attention.
The token reached an all-time high (ATH) of $3.65 in mid-2025 after the conclusion of Ripple’s long-standing legal battle with the SEC. Since then, XRP has retraced by about 44%, now trading near $2.06.
At current levels, XRP is testing the psychologically important $2 support zone. The launch of several spot XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the U.S. caused a sharp rally in the first week of January, although bearish markets soon slowed momentum.
Additional ETF approvals and positive macro signals could advance XRP to $5 by the second quarter, potentially setting the stage for a $10 move later in the year.
Solana (SOL): High-Performance Blockchain Eyes New All-Time Highs
Solana ($SOL) continues to stand out as a leading smart contract platform. Known for fast transaction speeds and low fees, the network supports over $9 billion in total value locked (TVL) and maintains a market capitalization above $80 billion.
The recent rollout of Solana spot ETFs from firms such as Grayscale and Bitwise could help unlock new institutional inflows, mirroring the demand previously seen following Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF launches.
SOL is currently trading in a key technical support area just above $137. Price action remains above the 30-day moving average, suggesting the possibility of a midweek dip down to $130, but this is likely to strengthen SOL’s current position as a launchpad to the next leg up.
A sustained break above resistance at $250 resistance level could result in Solana surpassing its previous ATH of $293.31 before the end of the quarter. From there, a midyear target of around $500 would not be out of reach if momentum continues.
Solana is also increasingly gaining traction as a preferred network for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization. Major asset managers, including BlackRock and Franklin Templeton, have already chosen Solana as the infrastructure for launching tokenized investment products.
Pepe (PEPE): Thus, Multibillion Dollar Meme Coin Exudes Frog Meme Energy
Since launching in April 2023, Pepe ($PEPE) has grown into the third-largest meme coin by market cap, driven by the enduring cultural appeal of Matt Furie’s Pepe the Frog.
Capitalizing on approaching $2.5 billion, PEPE is very much a community-driven meme coin. Its expansive community could also include Elon Musk, who briefly rocked a Pepe-themed profile image on X, igniting speculation across the cryptoverse around his possible PEPE holdings.
PEPE is currently trading around $0.00000594, about 79% below its late-2024 ATH of $0.00002803 following a quiet summer and a subdued final quarter.
The token rose 2% in the last 24 hours and now has a relative strength index (RSI) of 65, indicating buying momentum.
A 69% surge between December 30 and January 6 caused some traders to collect profits, although the token is clinging close to the $0.000006 psychological support level.
Bitcoin Hyper (HYPER): A Meme-Driven Bitcoin Layer-2 Contender
Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is a Bitcoin layer-2 solution that combines meme branding with ambitious technical goals that aim to bring faster transactions, lower fees, and smart contract functionality to Bitcoin.
Built using the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM), Bitcoin Hyper incorporates decentralized governance and features a Canonical Bridge that facilitates smooth cross-chain transfers involving Bitcoin.
Its ongoing presale has already raised more than $30.4 million, and some market watchers believe the token could deliver outsized gains once it lists on public exchanges. A recent audit by Coinsult reported no critical security vulnerabilities, providing additional reassurance for cautious investors.
The HYPER token is used for transaction fees, governance voting, and staking rewards.
Early participants can currently earn staking yields of up to 38% APY, although these rates are expected to decline as more users join the network.
With a full launch planned for 2026, Bitcoin Hyper positions itself as a potential on-ramp for both long-term Bitcoin holders and newcomers exploring layer-2 solutions.
Visit the official presale website or follow Bitcoin Hyper on X and Telegram for more information.
Visit the Official Website Here
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