Analyst Ran Neuner Picks PENGU Over XRP as His ‘Better’ Altcoin Bet for 2026

Crypto analyst Ran Neuner said he would choose PENGU over XRP as a better altcoin investment for 2026, speaking during a recent appearance on Paul Barron Network.

Neuner made the comment during a quick question segment, where he was asked to pick between the two tokens. However,  he did not go into detail at that moment.

Neuner also shared his outlook on Bitcoin, pointing to patterns seen in past bull markets. He said that in both 2016 and 2020, Bitcoin’s major rally began after gold and silver peaked, followed by gains in copper.

According to Neuner, current market conditions show similar signs. Gold has been rising, silver has shown signs of topping, and copper has recently started moving higher. If this pattern repeats, he believes Bitcoin could see renewed strength.

Smaller Gains, But Still Significant

Neuner said the era of extremely large Bitcoin returns may be over. However, he believes Bitcoin could still deliver strong gains, possibly doubling or tripling over time, which would place prices well above current levels.

He added that such returns remain meaningful for a large, widely held asset like Bitcoin.

Rethinking Crypto Cycles

Neuner also questioned the idea that crypto strictly follows a four-year cycle tied to Bitcoin halvings. He argued that liquidity cycles have played a bigger role and that past alignment with halvings may have been coincidental.

While he said there is still a chance the traditional cycle applies, Neuner believes rising global liquidity across stocks and commodities supports a more positive outlook for crypto overall.

Looking Toward 2026

Despite a sharp correction in late 2025, Neuner said that Bitcoin still delivered strong year-on-year gains when viewed over a longer time frame.

He said his base case is that 2026 could be a stronger year for crypto markets, led by Bitcoin, with selected altcoins potentially outperforming.