The most exciting thing about cryptocurrency investments is how they can skyrocket in value. Case in point: In 2025, privacy coin Zcash (ZEC +9.56%) surged by 1,870%. Because of the massive potential returns, many investors want to find the next cryptocurrency to explode.
The volatility of cryptocurrency can work for you or against you. Prices can fall just as quickly, as investors have seen recently. It's also impossible to know which cryptocurrency will go on a hot streak next. However, we can pick out some possible candidates, especially with so many coins trading well below their all-time highs.
Decentralized Application (dApp)
Five cryptocurrencies to explode in 2026
Here are the cryptocurrencies that could be due for a significant bull run:
1. Solana
CRYPTO: SOL
Key Data Points
Solana (SOL -0.14%) is a blockchain platform with smart contract capabilities. It's one of Ethereum's (ETH +1.17%) biggest competitors and is famous for its blazing-fast speeds and transaction fees that cost a fraction of a cent.
Since Solana can run smart contracts, it has a wide range of uses, including decentralized finance (DeFi) services and, more recently, the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs). It's also a popular place to launch meme coins -- for example, Official Trump (TRUMP -1.09%) is a Solana-based token.
Ethereum is a fierce competitor, but Solana's speed advantage makes it an excellent alternative. It processes thousands of transactions per second (tps) and went live with its Firedancer upgrade in late 2025, which reportedly hit 1 million tps in testing environments. With the recent upgrade and Solana's low fees, it's the next big crypto that could deliver rapid growth.
2. XRP
CRYPTO: XRP
Key Data Points
Ripple, a blockchain payments company, launched XRP (XRP -0.81%) in 2012, making it one of the oldest cryptocurrencies. It's designed to work with Ripple's payments network, which provides fast and affordable cross-border payments for financial institutions.
This cryptocurrency took off after the 2024 presidential election. Investors viewed the incoming crypto-friendly administration as a good sign for Ripple, which had been locked in a lawsuit with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) since 2020 over allegations that XRP tokens were unregistered securities. In August 2025, the SEC ended the lawsuit.
With no more regulatory issues looming, Ripple can focus on expanding its list of banking partners and growing XRP. It serves as a bridge currency for international payments, eliminating the need for banks to have accounts funded with various currencies.
3. Chainlink
CRYPTO: LINK
Key Data Points
On their own, blockchains are disconnected from the real world and lack access to real-world data. Chainlink (LINK +0.20%) bridges the gap, serving as an oracle platform that provides the infrastructure to let blockchains securely access external data.
Tokenized real-world assets, or RWAs, are an example of why this matters. Several blockchains now have tokenized versions of stocks and other assets. For tokenized RWAs to work, the blockchain needs data from the outside world on the current values of those assets.
Chainlink scored a big win in August 2025 when it began working with the U.S. Department of Commerce to bring government economic data to public blockchains. It's a clear sign that Chainlink is the oracle platform of choice and will serve a crucial role in the future of the crypto market. The SEC also recently approved the first spot Chainlink ETF.
4. TRON
CRYPTO: TRX
Key Data Points
Smart Contracts
5. Monero
What to look for in a booming crypto
When you're evaluating a booming crypto, start with its real-world utility. Consider the uses for it and the problems it aims to solve. A good place to find this information is in the cryptocurrency's whitepaper, typically found on its website. Here are a few more important items you can use to evaluate a cryptocurrency:
- Leadership: A strong management team can help separate cryptocurrencies that last from those that are a flash in the pan. See who's behind the project, their qualifications, and their experience.
- Unique attributes: This could be anything that makes a cryptocurrency stand out from the competition, such as Solana's speed or TRON's success with stablecoins.
- Total value locked (TVL): For blockchains with smart contract capabilities, TVL shows you how much value is on a blockchain. It's a good measure of which blockchains people are using.
- Number of users: This metric provides an indication of a blockchain's popularity.
There's no guarantee that a booming cryptocurrency will maintain its momentum. But those factors can help you determine whether a cryptocurrency has genuine value or is just designed to enrich the developers behind it.
FAQ
About the Author
