After weeks of hesitation, the crypto market is showing renewed strength. Major digital assets have returned to the green, restoring investor confidence and shifting the focus from short-term survival to long-term positioning.
Bitcoin has reclaimed territory above $90,000, Ethereum remains above $3,100, and Solana has pushed back over $130. While these levels are still below previous cycle highs, they mark a critical phase where the market is neither euphoric nor fearful.
This environment creates opportunities to explore projects poised to shape the next phase of crypto adoption through 2026 and beyond. Investors can now look beyond market leaders and identify assets that may outperform as liquidity returns and risk sentiment improve.
Source – 99Bitcoins YouTube Channel
Solana (SOL)
Solana enters 2026 with a mix of promise and risk. Its total value locked in DeFi has reached an all-time high, showing that more people are using the network.
Yet, Solana remains one of the most volatile major cryptocurrencies, largely driven by meme coins like Pump.fun, $PIPPIN, and the $TRUMP token.
These tokens surge when the market is eager for high-risk opportunities, meaning Solana often reacts strongly to shifts in overall crypto sentiment.
Right now, its dominance in the market is at a low point, hinting at potential gains if interest grows. With a lot of money waiting on the sidelines in stablecoins, even small inflows could push Solana higher. It’s a time for cautious optimism: the upside is there, but losses can be steep.
Bittensor (TAO)
Bittensor stands out as a unique opportunity, positioning itself as a decentralized AI ecosystem rather than a single cryptocurrency. Over the past two years, the platform has built a network of AI teams and projects spanning model training, inference, research, robotics, and DeFi.
Its subnets allow smaller teams to innovate and contribute alongside larger labs, creating a competitive and collaborative environment.
The $TAO token captures value across the ecosystem, meaning its growth is tied to the adoption and expansion of the platform itself.
While market volatility remains, $TAO is showing structural strength. Experts like CyrilXBT have projected strong long-term potential, though realistic expectations favor gradual growth over extreme targets.
Current technical indicators suggest a potential bullish shift as the price moves out of the accumulation phase, and key buying zones, specifically around the $240 level, have been identified for a strategic entry. Combined with rising demand for AI technologies, Bittensor is a project to watch heading into 2026.
Render (RENDER)
Render Network has begun 2026 with strong momentum, posting significant gains in price, trading volume, and market capitalization. Following the $RENDER chart shared by Lucky, the ‘beginning’ he mentions is backed by strong technicals.
The asset is showing early signs of a trend reversal, specifically closing above key support zones identified as fair value gaps. As Lucky noted about ‘catching the dip,’ these ranges represent prime buying opportunities for patient investors as we head into a potential altcoin season.
Beyond price action, Render continues to build its community through initiatives such as art events, merchandise, and awards.
Its long-term growth prospects are closely linked to rendering infrastructure, GPU demand, and AI-driven computational needs, positioning the project as both technically and socially relevant in the evolving crypto landscape.
Check out the video above to find the best crypto to buy now and stay ahead of the market.
Pepenode (PEPENODE)
Pepenode is quickly gaining attention as a fresh, early-stage crypto project. Unlike many tokens built purely for speculation, Pepenode rewards active participation through its unique mine-to-earn model, encouraging users to engage with the network while earning rewards.
The project is also well-connected to the broader meme coin ecosystem, giving it increased visibility during market recoveries and drawing both liquidity and community support.
By blending cultural relevance with real utility, Pepenode offers a platform accessible to both new and experienced investors. Its model focuses on engagement rather than speculation alone, tapping into the growing trend of interactive crypto projects.
The presale has already raised $2.5 million and is approaching $2.6 million, with just one day remaining. Early supporters can benefit from staking rewards exceeding 500%.
For ease and security, the Pepenode team recommends the Best Wallet app, available on iOS and Android. The app allows users to purchase PEPENODE using major cryptocurrencies or a credit/debit card and even stake tokens immediately to start earning rewards.
With market momentum building, Pepenode is positioning itself as a notable project heading into 2026.
Visit Pepenode
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Source: https://en.cryptonomist.ch/2026/01/06/best-crypto-to-buy-now-as-bitcoin-surges-above-90k/