* Ethereum (ETH) rallied 66% in Q3 2025 to nearly $5,000 ahead of its December “Fusaka” scaling upgrade, with Standard Chartered projecting $8,000 by 2026 if gaming and tokenization demand accelerates.
* Solana (SOL) gained 35% last quarter on institutional ETF filings (Fidelity, Invesco, Grayscale) and a $1.65B treasury fund, while its latest upgrade cut transaction time to 0.15 seconds.
* XRP surged 347% year-to-date after legal clarity, with Ripple’s new RLUSD stablecoin expanding utility beyond remittances, though broader adoption depends on banking partnerships materializing.
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Bitcoin’s (CRYPTO: BTC) 2025 rally has set a high bar, but some altcoins are showing momentum that could carry into 2026. Historically, BTC often loses dominance during “alt season” as bullish cycles mature.
Several large-cap crypto projects now have price momentum and network upgrades that analysts say could help them outperform Bitcoin’s gains in 2026. We’ll examine the best altcoins to watch for 2026, drawing on current Q4 2025 data and expert analysis to understand why these coins might lead the market next year.
Ethereum (ETH): Institutional Upgrades Boost Demand
After new institutional inflows and network upgrades, Ethereum has rallied back close to its all-time highs. ETH skyrocketed 66% in Q3 2025, to just shy of $5,000, as treasury purchases and the launch of the first spot Ether ETFs drove demand.
A major “Fusaka” scaling upgrade scheduled for December aims to cut fees and boost transaction throughput. This upgrade will reinforce Ethereum’s role as the backbone of decentralized finance.
Standard Chartered projects ETH’s price could hit $8,000 by 2026, citing growing demand from gaming and asset tokenization. As Ethereum’s utility and staking appeal increase alongside institutional adoption, its upside may outperform Bitcoin’s in the next leg of the cycle.
Solana (SOL): High-Speed Blockchain Coming of Age
Solana is emerging as a leader after a banner few months. According to CoinDesk Indices, SOL notched a 35% gain last quarter amid large-scale institutional buying and record ecosystem revenue.
Major asset managers, including Fidelity, Invesco, and Grayscale, have filed to launch the first spot Solana ETFs, which could drive mainstream inflows if approved. Meanwhile, venture heavyweights have committed $1.65 billion to a new Solana treasury fund to buy and stake SOL. This is a strategy Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan likens to the playbook that drove Bitcoin’s 2024 run-up.
