Web 3 Journalist
Tim Hakki
Web 3 Journalist
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Those anticipating that the start of 2026 would usher in a decisive breakthrough for mass crypto adoption may need to reset their expectations in the short-to-mid-term.
Coinbase recently withdrew its support for the CLARITY Act, a legislative proposal intended to define regulatory oversight of digital assets in the United States. Following this reversal, the U.S. Senate Banking Committee has postponed deliberations on the bill by several weeks.
That said, comprehensive crypto regulation in the U.S. still could happen this quarter. If lawmakers deliver, the three biggest cryptos will all be nothing new all-time highs (ATHs).
XRP (XRP): Payments Blockchain Eyes $5 as Momentum Builds
XRP ($XRP), currently valued at approximately $116 billion by market capitalization, continues to stand out as one of the most widely used cryptocurrencies for global payments, prized for its fast transaction finality and minimal fees.
The XRP Ledger (XRPL) was purpose-built for banks and financial institutions, positioning it as a next-generation alternative to slower, more expensive legacy systems such as SWIFT.
Ripple’s expanding footprint has earned recognition from prominent organizations, including the UN Capital Development Fund and the White House, strengthening XRP’s standing as a potentially game-changing payments network.
After finally resolving its prolonged legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, XRP surged to a new all-time high of $3.65 in mid-2025. Since then, broader market weakness has driven a pullback of roughly 48%, with the token now trading around $1.90.
Despite the retracement, XRP’s time below $2 is likely limited. One of the most notable recent catalysts has been the approval of spot XRP ETFs in the U.S., giving both institutional and retail investors regulated access to the asset.
Additional ETF launches and clearer regulatory guidance could help propel XRP toward the $5 mark by the second quarter.
Bitcoin ($BTC): Could the King of Crypto Reach $200,000 by 2026?
Bitcoin ($BTC), the world’s largest cryptocurrency, remains front and center after setting a new record high of $126,080 on October 6.
Should U.S. regulators move forward with Project Crypto, an initiative aimed at updating securities rules for digital assets, or if the Trump administration delivers on its pledge to establish a U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, Bitcoin could feasibly approach $250,000 this year.
Even without major policy-driven catalysts, Bitcoin has already notched several new milestones this year and may post a new high watermark at the $150,000 level before the quarter ends.
Frequently described as “digital gold,” Bitcoin continues to draw interest from both retail and institutional investors who see it as a long-term store of value and an inflation hedge.
At present, Bitcoin accounts for more than $1.7 trillion of the global crypto market’s roughly $3 trillion total valuation, underscoring its role as the cornerstone of the blockchain ecosystem.
Ethereum ($ETH): Smart Contract Leader Prepares for the Next Leg Higher
Ethereum ($ETH) remains the backbone of decentralized finance and much of the broader Web3 landscape, supported by a market capitalization of around $349 billion.
With over $69 billion locked across its applications, Ethereum continues to dominate the DeFi sector, cementing its status as the most economically active blockchain network.
In a strong bullish environment, ETH could test the $5,000 resistance level by March, surpassing its previous all-time high of $4,946 set last August. A decisive breakout could then open the door to a move toward $7,500 by the end of the quarter, representing a potential 2.5x increase from its current price near $3,000.
Longer term, Ethereum’s path toward five-figure valuations will depend heavily on clearer U.S. regulation and supportive macroeconomic conditions, both of which are key to unlocking deeper institutional participation.
From a technical perspective, ETH confirmed a bullish flag breakout last year, rallying from around $1,800 to new highs. Another bullish flag formed toward the end of the year, suggesting the potential for a sharp upside move if broader market conditions align.
Bitcoin Hyper (HYPER): Meme Branding Meets Advanced Bitcoin Layer 2
Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is an emerging Bitcoin Layer-2 project designed to accelerate transactions, lower fees, and introduce advanced smart contract functionality to the Bitcoin network.
Leveraging the Solana Virtual Machine, Bitcoin Hyper incorporates decentralized governance and a Canonical Bridge that allows seamless cross-chain Bitcoin transfers.
The project’s presale has already raised more than $31 million, with some influencers speculating about potential returns ranging from 10x to 100x once the token becomes available on exchanges. A recent audit by Coinsult reported no critical vulnerabilities in the smart contract.
The HYPER token serves as the backbone of the ecosystem, acting as the medium for transaction fees, governance participation, and staking incentives.
Early backers can stake tokens during the presale to earn yields of up to 38% APY, although returns gradually decrease as more participants enter the pool.
With exchange listings anticipated later this year, Bitcoin Hyper’s presale offers early access to what could be the next evolutionary step for Bitcoin.
Visit the official website or follow Bitcoin Hyper on X and Telegram for more information.
Visit the Official Website Here
