Crypto investors are watching for potential breakouts this afternoon, as Bitcoin and Ethereum maintain their footing above $91,000 and $3,100 respectively. Privacy coins have also been dominating headlines after Monero (XMR) surged over 20% in a single session, reaching a new peak around $597 \u2013 its highest level since the 2021 bull run. Meanwhile, Zcash has taken a serious hit, dropping roughly 20% to around $382 following a governance shake-up after key development team members stepped away.<\/p>\n
Layer 2 solutions are buzzing too. Established projects are rolling out updates to boost speed and cut costs on major chains, with the latest integrations drawing attention from developers. Optimism and Arbitrum have seen steady activity, up modestly amid broader ecosystem growth.<\/p>\n
Bitcoin Hyper (HYPER)<\/a> is another Layer 2 and Web3 infrastructure project that\u2019s standing out from the crowd, having raised over $30.3 million during its HYPER token presale with more rounds still to come. While experts are focused on the latest Monero price prediction (which we\u2019ll see below), Bitcoin Hyper looks like the smart money play for investors planning to get in ahead of mainstream buyers.<\/p>\n 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.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n The broader crypto market conditions reveal an industry that\u2019s bounced back somewhat after 2025\u2019s year-end volatility. Bitcoin<\/a> has stabilized following a rejection at $92,400, with sentiment turning neutral amid solid U.S. economic data. Ethereum\u2019s up slightly at roughly $3,100, and analysts now forecast it could outperform Bitcoin long-term, potentially hitting $40,000 by 2030 thanks to its role in stablecoins and tokenized assets.<\/p>\n Altcoins are playing their part in driving hype this week, with privacy coins proving a mixed but attractive bag. Monero\u2019s rally to $597 came after demand for anonymous transactions spiked, driven by concerns over tracking in an increasingly digital world. However, the extremity of that move was partially influenced by Zcash (ZEC), which plunged due to a major developer exodus, wiping out $1.6 billion in value and sparking debates on project sustainability.<\/p>\n As the trader Melarin noted in an X post today, XMR has spent the last few years establishing a \u201csaucer base\u201d that could ignite a move above $850 in 2026.<\/p>\n $XMR<\/a> Quiet accumulation for months, now breaking out of a saucer base.<\/p>\n A small pullback = opportunity, not weakness.<\/p>\n Structure looks ready, momentum is shifting, and if this holds\u2026 upside can move fast.<\/p>\n Charts speak before the crowd does pic.twitter.com\/xVtNdsGIWK<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Melarin (@MelarinX) January 12, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\n
\nCrypto Prices Display Steady Momentum in Early 2026: Can It Continue?<\/h2>\n
\n