Web 3 Journalist
Tim Hakki
Web 3 Journalist
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A tech selloff that has hit crypto markets hard continues at a pace, having pushed Bitcoin toward the $71,000 level, sparking steep declines across most of the cryptocurrency market.
Still, optimism around U.S. digital asset regulation continues to grow. While US lawmakers are currently finding it difficult to balance the concerns of both the crypto and banking industries, the potential passage of the CLARITY Act in the coming months could finally deliver long-awaited regulatory certainty in the United States.
At the same time, Bitcoin’s share of the total crypto market has dropped since summer. Should U.S. lawmakers ignite a 2026 bull run, XRP, Dogecoin, and Shiba Inu could post some eye-watering gains this year.
XRP (XRP): Ripple’s Bid to Disrupt SWIFT Eyes a $5 Breakout
XRP ($XRP) continues to dominate the payments-focused crypto sector, with a market capitalization of around $86 billion and an industry-leading reputation for rapid, low-fee international transfers.
Ripple developed the XRP Ledger (XRPL) to modernize global payments by offering financial institutions a blockchain-based alternative to legacy rails such as SWIFT.
Major global organizations, including the United Nations Capital Development Fund and the White House, have publicly highlighted XRP’s efficiency, reinforcing its credibility on the international stage.
After securing a pivotal courtroom victory last year that brought an end to a five-year legal battle with the former U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, XRP surged to a new all-time high of $3.65 in mid-2025. Since then, XRP has fallen by 61.5% pullback to trade around $1.38 after months of tense geopolitical conditions have resulted in multiple tech selloffs.
One potential game changer was the recent approval of spot XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the U.S., granting both institutional and retail investors regulated access to the asset.
As additional ETF offerings launch and regulatory clarity improves, these developments could act as powerful tailwinds, with XRP potentially hitting $5 in the second quarter.
Dogecoin (DOGE): Can the Doge Army’s $1 Dream Still Happen?
Launched in 2013, Dogecoin ($DOGE) remains the first and largest meme-based cryptocurrency. Fueled by one of the most dedicated communities in crypto, DOGE currently holds a market capitalization of roughly $17 billion.
Its meteoric rise during the 2021 bull market, amplified by endorsements from figures like Elon Musk, Snoop Dogg, and Gene Simmons, cemented Dogecoin’s place in mainstream pop culture.
Although created as a joke, Dogecoin’s scale and liquidity help smooth out the extreme price swings often seen in smaller meme coins. As a result, DOGE frequently moves in tandem with major assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP.
The phrase “Dogecoin to $1” remains a popular mantra among supporters, though reaching that level by 2026 could prove challenging without clearer U.S. regulatory frameworks.
Under favorable market conditions, DOGE could 5x from its current $0.10 price to hit $0.50 by mid-year.
Adoption continues to grow steadily. Tesla accepts DOGE for certain merchandise, and payment providers including PayPal and Revolut now support Dogecoin transactions.
Shiba Inu (SHIB): Transitioning From Meme to Utility-Focused Network
Since its launch in August 2020, Shiba Inu ($SHIB) has evolved into the second-largest meme cryptocurrency, with a market cap of $3.8 billion.
Supported by an expansive community and an expanding ecosystem, SHIB is increasingly regarded as more than a meme coin. The asset currently trades around $0.0000064 and has an oversold relative strength index (RSI) of 29, which indicates the recent selloff is now concluding and SHIB investors will likely be doubling down at these prices over the weekend.
A clear move above resistance levels at $0.00001 and $0.00002 could generate enough momentum for a push toward $0.00003 by summer.
Beyond speculation, Shiba Inu is building tangible infrastructure. Shibarium, its Ethereum-based Layer-2 solution, significantly reduces transaction fees while improving network scalability.
Upcoming upgrades and additional privacy enhancements further reinforce SHIB’s transformation into a broader blockchain ecosystem.
Bitcoin Hyper (HYPER): A Meme-Inspired Bitcoin Layer-2 With Serious Ambitions
Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is a Bitcoin Layer-2 project aiming to enhance transaction throughput, lower fees, and introduce advanced smart contract functionality to the Bitcoin network.
Key features include compatibility with the Solana Virtual Machine, decentralized governance, and a Canonical Bridge that enables seamless movement of Bitcoin across multiple blockchains.
The project’s token presale has already raised $31.3 million in funding. Some analysts and influencers suggest potential gains of 10x to 100x once HYPER begins trading on public markets. A recent Coinsult audit reported no critical vulnerabilities in the project’s smart contracts.
Within the ecosystem, the HYPER token powers transaction fees, governance voting, and staking incentives.
Buyers can currently stake presale tokens for yields of up to 37% APY, although these rewards decline as the staking pool expands.
With exchange listings anticipated later this year, Bitcoin Hyper’s presale offers early exposure to a project that could significantly enhance the Bitcoin network.
Visit the official website or follow Bitcoin Hyper on X and Telegram for more information.
Visit the Official Website Here
