From new partnerships to regulatory shifts and growing adoption, now might be a great time to take a closer look at some key projects.
Our top picks—Solana (SOL), Dogecoin (DOGE), Stellar (XLM), and Ripple (XRP)—are all seeing important developments that could boost their value.
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A Layer-2 Solution That Could Speed Up Bitcoin
PlutoChain ($PLUTO) is another project that might be worth keeping on your radar. It might make Bitcoin faster and cheaper by solving issues that have made BTC hard to use for everyday transactions.
Let’s break it down.
PlutoChain ($PLUTO): A Hybrid Layer-2 Upgrade That Might Make Bitcoin Faster, Cheaper and More Scalable
Bitcoin is not exactly built for daily transactions. Slow confirmations and high fees make it impractical for things like buying coffee or sending small payments. On average, Bitcoin takes around 10 minutes to confirm a transaction, which makes it hard to compete with modern payment systems.
PlutoChain ($PLUTO) brings a hybrid Layer-2 solution that could fix Bitcoin’s biggest pain points. Built on its own high-speed blockchain, PlutoChain offers block times of just two seconds—meaning BTC payments could happen instantly instead of making you wait.

Bitcoin transactions can get expensive, especially for small transfers, which makes microtransactions nearly impossible. PlutoChain aims to change that by drastically reducing costs, which could make BTC transfers cheaper and more accessible for everyone.
But, it’s not just about payments. PlutoChain is EVM-compatible, which means it could support DeFi, NFTs, and AI-powered blockchain applications—something Bitcoin wasn’t originally designed to do.

PlutoChain’s testnet has already handled over 43,200 transactions in a single day, which shows its scalability. Plus, with audits from SolidProof, QuillAudits, and Assure DeFi, security is a top priority.
With decentralized governance, the community gets a direct say in how the network evolves. Faster, cheaper, and more functional—PlutoChain could be the key to bringing Bitcoin into everyday life.
Solana (SOL): The High-Speed Blockchain Behind the Future of DeFi and Web3
The SEC is reviewing multiple Solana ETF applications, which could bring more legitimacy and investor interest to the platform.
Meanwhile, Solana’s revenue for February hit $31.5 million—nearly double Ethereum’s $18.2 million—and blockchain activity is surging, with a record $10.1 billion in inbound bridge volume, up 114% from last year.
Solana is trading at around $184.05. Over the last 24 hours, its price has dipped by 4.9%, with highs reaching $193.61 and lows dropping to $181.05. Trading activity remains strong, with a 24-hour volume of $3.77 billion.
Crypto analyst The Cryptomist believes Solana is showing an ascending triangle pattern and says it could break out and climb to $250.

Dogecoin (DOGE): The Meme Coin with Strong Community Support and Real-World Adoption
At the moment, DOGE is trading at around $0.2636. Over the past 24 hours, it’s down 2.64%, with prices ranging between $0.2592 and $0.2708.
Grayscale Investments recently launched a Dogecoin Trust, which gives accredited investors direct exposure to DOGE, a big step toward mainstream adoption.
At the same time, the SEC has acknowledged filings for Dogecoin ETFs and this could open the door for more traditional investors to get involved. BlockchainBaller believes Dogecoin is primed for a reversal and expects a price move into the $0.36-$0.40 range soon.

Stellar (XLM): The Blockchain for Fast and Low-Cost Cross-Border Payments
Stellar continues to expand its role in global finance. The Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) recently partnered with Mastercard and integrated Stellar’s blockchain into Mastercard’s Crypto Credential program to improve the security and efficiency of cross-border payments.
Meanwhile, Paxos, a regulated blockchain platform, announced plans to bring its services to the Stellar network to make asset tokenization and digital transactions more accessible.
Stellar (XLM) is trading at around $0.3416. In the past 24 hours, it’s down 1.44%, with prices ranging between $0.3365 and $0.3483. Crypto analyst Ali says that Stellar is forming a bullish flag pattern, which could lead to a breakout targeting $1.80.

Ripple (XRP): The Cross-Border Payments Leader with a Potential New Surge on the Horizon
Right now, XRP is trading at around $2.68, up 2.6% in the past 24 hours, with a market cap of approximately $154.98 billion.
The SEC recently acknowledged Grayscale’s filing for an XRP-based ETF—not an approval yet, but a step toward greater legitimacy for XRP in traditional finance. Adding to the buzz, the SEC is set to hold a closed meeting on February 20, which could impact ongoing legal battles, including Ripple’s long-running case.
Crypto analyst Guy on the Earth believes XRP is finding support above previous resistance and expects it to reach $3+ in the next two weeks, though he acknowledges a possible dip to $2.

The Takeaway
Solana is growing in DeFi, Dogecoin is attracting institutional interest, Stellar is improving cross-border payments, and Ripple is dealing with regulations.
But, PlutoChain ($PLUTO) might steal the show because it could upgrade Bitcoin’s ecosystem.
By making BTC faster and cheaper while adding smart contract capabilities, PlutoChain could turn Bitcoin from just a store of value into a useful platform for payments and dApps.
This publication is sponsored. CryptoDnes does not endorse and is not responsible for the content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products or other materials on this page. Readers should do their own research before taking any action related to cryptocurrencies. CryptoDnes shall not be liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned.
Alexander has been working in the crypto industry for three years, during which time he has established himself through his active participation in monitoring market dynamics and technological innovations. His interest in cryptocurrencies and new technologies is not just a professional commitment, but a deep personal passion. He follows the news in the sector daily, analyzes trends, and is excited about every new step in the development of blockchain solutions. His enthusiasm drives him to continuously learn and share knowledge, as he sees the future in digital finance and its role in global transformation.