Analysis of the upward potential of 7 cryptocurrencies in January

Source: PortaldoBitcoin Original Title: See 7 cryptocurrencies with high potential in January Original Link: After experiencing intense volatility among cryptocurrencies, significant technical trends, and increasing institutional participation in 2025, at the start of 2026, people expect the narratives that gained momentum in recent months to be reinforced. Analysts point out that global liquidity behavior, capital flows into ETFs, and progress in real-world applications should continue to be the decisive factors for the performance of major crypto assets early this year.

Against this backdrop, the mainstream view is that the market is becoming more selective. The pursuit of “quick commitments” has given way to projects with clear whitepapers, robust infrastructure, and the ability to attract users, developers, and institutional capital. High-performance networks, protocols related to the tokenization of real-world assets, scalability solutions, and even assets with more defensive features are among the bets in January.

Chainlink (LINK)

Chainlink repeatedly appears among the most frequently cited altcoins by analysts, as a foundational infrastructure bet connecting blockchains with external information (such as prices and events), addressing one of the main challenges in the field.

Technical analysts believe that whenever the market prioritizes practicality and robustness, projects related to reliable data tend to gain more space. This view is shared by other analysts who emphasize collaborations and testing with large financial institutions. If the RWA narrative continues to advance in 2026, it will position the project uniquely.

A financial officer from an exchange added that accumulation by large investors reinforces expectations of asset appreciation, as the asset combines high liquidity with a more mature structural whitepaper.

XRP

XRP has re-entered analysts’ focus due to its combination of high liquidity, institutional narratives, and regulatory progress. Analysts note that the market has already priced in greater legal clarity and the potential expansion of regulated products, which helps explain its recent performance. The understanding is to keep a close watch, focusing on medium- and long-term trends.

Another analyst highlighted XRP’s role in international payments, with fast, low-cost transfers, and noted that regulatory progress has increased institutional confidence. According to him, this scenario creates room for increased adoption as traditional financial solutions are integrated into blockchain.

Arbitrum (ARB)

Among layer 2 solutions, Arbitrum has solidified its position as one of the main bets related to Ethereum scalability. Analysts assess that the asset can reflect capital flows seeking cheaper and more efficient transactions, especially as new projects and infrastructure plans launched at the end of 2025 gain attention in early 2026.

Another analyst sees Arbitrum as directly representing the growth in Ethereum usage. As on-chain activity increases, layer 2 solutions tend to become relevant because they enable ecosystem expansion at lower costs, making ARB a relevant name in January.

Other Altcoins

Many other altcoins are only mentioned once by analysts. These include Avalanche (AVAX), cited as an alternative focusing on financial applications and tokenization, benefiting from EVM compatibility. On-chain signals and interest from more experienced investors suggest that early-year technical readings are more constructive, favoring assets with such structures.

Another analyst mentioned Virtuals (VIRTUAL) in the context of the AI narrative. She states that the project re-entered the spotlight after launching a framework focused on creating and operating on-chain AI agents, which use the VIRTUAL token to execute transactions. The analyst notes that whenever the AI narrative gains momentum, the asset tends to attract attention, especially when there are concrete product deliveries.

Celestia appears among the bets related to modular blockchain models. Analysts emphasize that focusing on scalability and efficiency, along with recent technological advances, could attract new projects and developers throughout 2026. For her, the innovation in the modular model makes the asset interesting for investors focused on blockchain infrastructure transformation.

Analysts also recommend Near Protocol, a blockchain focused on making decentralized applications more accessible, faster, and low-cost. They highlight that its efficient validation model reduces energy consumption, strengthening security and sustainability. The ecosystem is growing in DeFi, gaming, and Web3 applications, driven by partnerships and new projects.

Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana

Although the focus is on altcoins, analysts emphasize that Bitcoin and Ethereum remain the market pillars, and Solana is mentioned by almost everyone. For several analysts, Bitcoin continues to be the main barometer of investor sentiment, with prices strongly influenced by ETF liquidity and global interest rate and liquidity expectations. The asset maintains its role as a store of value and a long-term diversification tool.

Regarding Ethereum, the understanding is that infrastructure whitepapers are being consolidated. The network continues to serve as the foundation for DeFi, tokenization, and institutional applications. Analysts point out that staking growth and ETF flows could sustain a more gradual appreciation throughout 2026.

On Solana, analysts say it tends to benefit when the market seeks alternative solutions with real use cases, especially if Ethereum experiences periods of lower traction in the short term. Expectations of US spot ETFs and growing institutional interest (including corporate treasuries) reinforce the potential for short-term appreciation.