Web 3 Journalist
Tim Hakki
Web 3 Journalist
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Those hoping that early 2026 would mark a major turning point for mainstream crypto adoption may need to temper expectations. at least for now.
Coinbase has recently pulled its backing for the CLARITY Act, a proposed framework designed to give U.S. regulators clearer authority over the digital asset sector. As a result, the U.S. Senate Banking Committee has delayed consideration of the bill by several weeks.
Even so, broad-based crypto regulation in the U.S. appears unavoidable before year-end. At the same time, Bitcoin’s share of the total crypto market has been declining since summer, often interpreted as an early signal that capital is rotating into altcoins such as XRP, Dogecoin, and Pepe ahead of the next major market upswing.
XRP (XRP): Payments Blockchain Eyes $5 as Momentum Builds
XRP ($XRP), with a market capitalization of roughly $115 billion, remains the most established crypto in global payments, known for its rapid settlement speeds and low transaction fees.
The XRP Ledger (XRPL) was engineered specifically for banks and financial institutions, positioning itself as a modern alternative to slower and costlier legacy networks like SWIFT.
Ripple’s growing influence has attracted recognition from high-profile entities, including the UN Capital Development Fund and even the White House, reinforcing XRP’s reputation as a potentially transformative global payments solution.
After concluding its long-running legal dispute with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, XRP rallied to a new all-time high of $3.65 in mid-2025. Since then, broader market softness has triggered a pullback of around 48%, leaving the token trading near $1.89.
Despite this correction, XRP’s stay below $2 may be short-lived. One of the most significant recent developments has been the approval of spot XRP ETFs in the U.S., opening the door to regulated exposure for both institutional and retail investors.
Further ETF launches and improved regulatory clarity could push XRP toward the $5 level by Q2.
Dogecoin (DOGE): Will the Doge Army Ever See $1 DOGE?
Launched in 2013, Dogecoin ($DOGE) is the first and biggest meme coin, supported by one of the most loyal communities in crypto. What started as a parody now commands a market capitalization of approximately $20.7 billion.
DOGE’s explosive rise during the 2021 bull market, fueled by high-profile endorsements from figures like Elon Musk, Snoop Dogg, and Gene Simmons, cemented its place in internet and pop culture history.
While its origins are lighthearted, Dogecoin’s scale and liquidity help reduce the extreme volatility seen in smaller meme tokens. As a result, DOGE often trades more in line with major assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP.
The slogan “Dogecoin to $1” remains a rallying cry among supporters, but reaching that milestone by 2026 could be difficult without meaningful progress on U.S. crypto regulation.
Favorable market conditions could lift DOGE from around $0.14 today to roughly $0.50 by spring. That scenario would place it within striking distance of its 2021 all-time high of $0.7316 during a subsequent bull run.
Adoption is also gradually expanding. Tesla accepts DOGE for select merchandise, while payment platforms like PayPal and Revolut now support Dogecoin transactions.
Pepe (PEPE): The Iconic Webcomic Became One of Crypto’s Most Copied Coins
Since its debut in April 2023, Pepe ($PEPE) has risen rapidly to become the third-largest meme coin, driven by the enduring viral appeal of Matt Furie’s Pepe the Frog character.
With a market value near $2.1 billion, PEPE stands as the largest meme coin without a Shiba Inu-themed mascot. Speculation intensified after Elon Musk briefly used a Pepe image as his profile picture on X, sparking debate over his potential investment in the token.
PEPE is currently trading around $0.000004914, up 25% over the past month. Despite this rebound, the token remains about 81% below its late-2024 high of $0.00002803, following a subdued summer and a lackluster close to 2025.
Its relative strength index is at 44, indicating neutral after some recent panic selling. However, if the bull market hits in Q1, Pepe could easily rise to recapture its previous ATH by the end of the quarter.
PEPE surged 69% recently, between December 30 and January 6, highlighting its classic meme-coin behavior, magnifying broader market swings in both directions.
Bitcoin Hyper (HYPER): Meme Branding Meets Advanced Bitcoin Layer 2
Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is a new Bitcoin Layer-2 initiative aimed at speeding up transactions, reducing fees, and unlocking advanced smart contract capabilities on the Bitcoin network.
Built on the Solana Virtual Machine, Bitcoin Hyper integrates decentralized governance and a Canonical Bridge that enables smooth cross-chain Bitcoin transfers.
The project’s presale has already secured more than $30.9 million, with some analysts speculating on potential returns of 10x to 100x once the token lists on exchanges. A recent Coinsult audit found no critical issues within the smart contract.
The HYPER token powers the ecosystem, functioning as the unit for transaction fees, governance voting, and staking rewards.
Early participants can stake tokens during the presale for yields of up to 38% APY, though rewards decline gradually as more users join.
With exchange listings expected later this year, Bitcoin Hyper’s presale offers early exposure to what supporters see as the next phase of Bitcoin’s evolution.
Visit the official website or follow Bitcoin Hyper on X and Telegram for more information.
Visit the Official Website Here
