As we enter the first months of 2026, several analysts identify a select group of tokens as the top candidates for significant growth. Discover which cryptocurrencies are expected to rise the fastest according to market experts.
Cardano (ADA): the project building long-term value
Current Price: $0.40 | 24h: +3.63%
Cardano represents one of the most ambitious visions in the blockchain space. Its proof-of-stake (PoS) blockchain is evolving toward an innovative model: transforming into a true price stabilization tool.
The planned mechanism uses a dedicated reserve fund to continuously buy ADA from the market, creating structural upward price pressure. This approach offers sustainable and predictable support, distinct from mere speculative dynamics. Analysts predict that ADA could reach a price range between $5 and $10 over the course of the year.
Sui (SUI): the Layer-1 network combining speed and scalability
Current Price: $1.71 | 24h: +2.84%
Sui is emerging as one of the most performant blockchains on the market, characterized by exceptional transaction speeds and extremely competitive fees. The ecosystem is experiencing impressive growth, with over a billion dollars in stable liquidity locked on the network.
This technical and commercial prosperity positions Sui among the main candidates for a tenfold increase in value before the end of the first half of 2026. The combination of infrastructural efficiency and growing adoption creates ideal conditions for substantial appreciation.
Solana (SOL): the network speed that challenges standards
Current Price: $135.06 | 24h: +2.48%
Solana continues to establish itself as one of the fastest and most efficient blockchain networks available, surpassing even Ethereum in some parameters. The ecosystem has seen remarkable expansion, with new projects and strategic partnerships diversifying its service offerings.
Market projections suggest that SOL could grow between 10 and 100 times before 2026, thanks to technical improvements and increased institutional adoption.
XRP (Ripple): the token targeting traditional finance
Current Price: $2.09 | 24h: +4.38%
XRP is experiencing a significant resurgence, supported by favorable regulatory developments and increasing integration into global payment systems. A key catalyst expected is the potential approval of a dedicated ETF fund, which would open doors for institutional investors.
If this scenario materializes, XRP’s price could move toward a range between $10 and $15 in the coming months. Adoption by financial institutions is the main upward driver for this asset.
LILPEPE: from meme hype to solid infrastructural project
LILPEPE has undergone a notable evolution in its development: from a simple meme coin to a legitimate infrastructural project. It has built a specialized Layer-2 network designed specifically to optimize meme token trading, implementing anti-fraud technologies and extremely high settlement speeds.
This transition from a speculative asset to a useful infrastructure has attracted early-stage investors. Return projections for initial investors range between 400 and 800 times, representing the maximum potential among the selected candidates.
Summary of expected growth factors
The following table summarizes the main growth catalysts for each asset:
Cryptocurrency
Main Factors
Estimated Potential
Cardano (ADA)
Support mechanism via fund + long-term sustainability
5-10x
Sui (SUI)
Superior technical performance + growing TVL volume
10x
Solana (SOL)
Transaction speed + ecosystem expansion
10-100x
XRP
Potential ETF approval + institutional adoption
5-7.5x
LILPEPE
Modern infrastructure + meme segment specialization
400-800x
The convergence of these factors suggests that the first quarter of 2026 could represent a period of significant opportunities for informed investors aware of the risks associated with the cryptocurrency market.
This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.
The cryptocurrencies that will rise: analysis of the 5 most promising assets for early 2026
As we enter the first months of 2026, several analysts identify a select group of tokens as the top candidates for significant growth. Discover which cryptocurrencies are expected to rise the fastest according to market experts.
Cardano (ADA): the project building long-term value
Current Price: $0.40 | 24h: +3.63%
Cardano represents one of the most ambitious visions in the blockchain space. Its proof-of-stake (PoS) blockchain is evolving toward an innovative model: transforming into a true price stabilization tool.
The planned mechanism uses a dedicated reserve fund to continuously buy ADA from the market, creating structural upward price pressure. This approach offers sustainable and predictable support, distinct from mere speculative dynamics. Analysts predict that ADA could reach a price range between $5 and $10 over the course of the year.
Sui (SUI): the Layer-1 network combining speed and scalability
Current Price: $1.71 | 24h: +2.84%
Sui is emerging as one of the most performant blockchains on the market, characterized by exceptional transaction speeds and extremely competitive fees. The ecosystem is experiencing impressive growth, with over a billion dollars in stable liquidity locked on the network.
This technical and commercial prosperity positions Sui among the main candidates for a tenfold increase in value before the end of the first half of 2026. The combination of infrastructural efficiency and growing adoption creates ideal conditions for substantial appreciation.
Solana (SOL): the network speed that challenges standards
Current Price: $135.06 | 24h: +2.48%
Solana continues to establish itself as one of the fastest and most efficient blockchain networks available, surpassing even Ethereum in some parameters. The ecosystem has seen remarkable expansion, with new projects and strategic partnerships diversifying its service offerings.
Market projections suggest that SOL could grow between 10 and 100 times before 2026, thanks to technical improvements and increased institutional adoption.
XRP (Ripple): the token targeting traditional finance
Current Price: $2.09 | 24h: +4.38%
XRP is experiencing a significant resurgence, supported by favorable regulatory developments and increasing integration into global payment systems. A key catalyst expected is the potential approval of a dedicated ETF fund, which would open doors for institutional investors.
If this scenario materializes, XRP’s price could move toward a range between $10 and $15 in the coming months. Adoption by financial institutions is the main upward driver for this asset.
LILPEPE: from meme hype to solid infrastructural project
LILPEPE has undergone a notable evolution in its development: from a simple meme coin to a legitimate infrastructural project. It has built a specialized Layer-2 network designed specifically to optimize meme token trading, implementing anti-fraud technologies and extremely high settlement speeds.
This transition from a speculative asset to a useful infrastructure has attracted early-stage investors. Return projections for initial investors range between 400 and 800 times, representing the maximum potential among the selected candidates.
Summary of expected growth factors
The following table summarizes the main growth catalysts for each asset:
The convergence of these factors suggests that the first quarter of 2026 could represent a period of significant opportunities for informed investors aware of the risks associated with the cryptocurrency market.