The start of 2026 has been a trial by fire for digital asset investors. While the year began with high hopes, a sudden deleveraging event saw the total cryptocurrency market capitalization plummet by more than 20% in less than a month. However, market-wide bloodbaths often reveal the “alpha” — projects with enough fundamental demand or narrative strength to decouple from Bitcoin’s gravity.
Which coins are up in 2026?
Despite the $Bitcoin price struggling to maintain support, five specific tokens have remained profitable since January 1st, 2026. These assets have defied the downward trend, in some cases posting double-digit gains while the rest of the crypto news cycle remains bearish.
Crypto Market is Decoupling
In cryptocurrency trading, decoupling occurs when the price action of a specific altcoin stops following the price movements of Bitcoin or the Total Market Cap. This usually happens due to project-specific catalysts such as high protocol revenue, a major technological upgrade, or a shift in investor sentiment toward a specific niche (like Perp DEXs or Layer 1 innovations).
Analyzing the 2026 Total Market Cap Crash
Based on the current market data, the total crypto market cap recently shed over $1 trillion in value. This move, characterized by a sharp downward slope on the daily charts, was triggered by institutional outflows and a “negative Coinbase premium.”
When the market enters a “risk-off” environment, liquidity usually dries up. However, the tokens listed below have maintained high liquidity and buying pressure.
1. Hyperliquid (HYPE): The Volatility Winner
Hyperliquid has been the standout performer of 2026. As a decentralized perpetual exchange, its native token $HYPE jumped 71% to reach $35.
* The Logic: Traders use Hyperliquid to hedge their portfolios during crashes. More liquidations mean more fees, which are partially used for token buybacks.
* Performance: Up significantly YTD while major L1s are down 30%.
2. MemeCore (M): The Cultural Infrastructure
MemeCore ($M) represents a new breed of Layer 1. Since its 2026 debut, it has maintained a 2,950% increase from its launch price.
