It’s a new year, and speculation is mounting about a potential crypto bull run in 2026, especially if U.S. lawmakers roll out comprehensive crypto regulations. The period leading up to Christmas could be an ideal opportunity for investors to increase their crypto exposure. Bitcoin ($BTC) is currently trading below the $94,000 mark in an early sign of strong rebound potential after it spent most of Q4 trading sideways. Another notable trend is Bitcoin’s gradual decline in market dominance since the summer. Historically, this often signals capital flowing from Bitcoin to altcoins. In this environment, cryptocurrencies such as XRP, Pepe, and Bonk may offer some of the strongest growth potential in the coming year. XRP (XRP): Bringing Global Payments On Chain Ripple’s XRP ($XRP) continues to play a major role in cross-border payments thanks to near-instant transactions and minimal fees. Designed to modernize global payments, the XRP Ledger (XRPL) provides a faster, cheaper alternative to legacy systems like SWIFT. XRP’s utility is mentioned in reports from the United Nations Capital Development Fund and the White House. Supported by Ripple’s growing fintech partnerships, XRP has become the third-largest cryptocurrency outside stablecoins, with a market cap exceeding $131 billion. After finally resolving its prolonged legal dispute with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission early last year, XRP hit its first all-time high (ATH) in seven years: $3.65. Since then, it has retraced about 41% and currently trades near $2.19. In the last seven days, XRP exploded 17% thanks to recent momentum from the launch of five spot XRP ETFs in the U.S. that have opened the floodgates for institutional investment. Moving forward, further ETF approvals and regulatory clarity early this year could act as catalysts, potentially pushing XRP to a $10 target by the end of the year. Pepe (PEPE): Meme Coin Momentum Launched in April 2023, Pepe ($PEPE) quickly became the third biggest meme coin, riding the popularity of Matt Furie’s iconic webcomic character. With a market cap just shy of $3 billion, PEPE has a strong cultural presence, boosted when Elon Musk briefly set his X profile picture to a Pepe meme, fueling speculation about his involvement in meme coins. Currently trading around $0.000006843, PEPE sits about 76% below its late-2024 peak of $0.00002803, following a quiet summer and subdued fourth quarter. Its RSI of 76 suggests the token is overbought after Pepe exploded 68% in the last seven days. This new price burst puts Pepe above strong support levels at $0.000006. Although in the near-term, Pepe is likely to fall overnight while traders cash in on the last week, the token has strongly consolidated its price around current levels. If 2026 evolves into a bull market, PEPE could see serious interest, potentially setting a new ATH by the end of the quarter. Bonk (BONK): Solana’s Meme Coin on the Rise Bonk ($BONK) , Solana’s dog-themed meme coin, launched on December 25, 2022, igniting a holiday rally that boosted Solana ($SOL) by 34% in just two days, cementing BONK’s role in the ecosystem ever since. Currently priced at $0.00001186, BONK charts suggest it could quadruple or quintuple before year-end. Bonk’s staggering $1 billion market cap makes it the third biggest meme coin in Solana, and it’s just a hair’s breadth away from flipping the Official Trump ($TRUMP) coin to lead the sector. Beyond entertainment, people in Solana’s DeFi sector actually use this meme coin for tipping, micropayments, bot-based trading, and NFT collateral. A falling wedge pattern from late November to mid-March foreshadowed Bonk’s July breakout, which saw it peak at $0.00003906 before pulling back alongside the broader meme coin market. If favorable market conditions return, BONK could push beyond resistance levels at $0.00003 and $0.00005. While still 80% below its ATH of $0.00005825 from November 2024, renewed momentum in the crypto market could see it challenge its ATH by Spring. Bitcoin Hyper (HYPER): Meme-Infused Bitcoin Layer-2 One emerging project generating buzz for 2026 is Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) , a Bitcoin layer-2 solution cosplaying as a meme coin. Despite its playful image, HYPER focuses on high-speed throughput, ultra-low fees, and smart contract functionality. Built on the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM), HYPER offers decentralized governance and a Canonical Bridge for seamless Bitcoin movement across chains. The presale has raised over $30 million, and analysts project the token could potentially see 100× gains upon exchange listing. A recent Coinsult audit found no contract vulnerabilities, boosting investor confidence. HYPER tokens power transaction fees, governance, and staking, with presale participants earning up to 39% APY. The platform will launch in 2026, providing both experienced Bitcoin users and newcomers with an early opportunity in a project that could significantly enhance Bitcoin’s utility. Visit the official presale website or follow Bitcoin Hyper on X and Telegram for more information. Visit the Official Website Here The post Best Crypto to Buy Now 5 January – XRP, PEPE, BONK appeared first on Cryptonews .
