Top 10 Altcoins to Watch in the 2025 Crypto Bull Run

The crypto market is alive with excitement as institutional investors gear up for what could be a game-changing phase. Altcoin Daily explores insights from Dan Morehead, the founder of Pantera Capital, who underscores the vast potential of altcoins in driving the next wave of crypto adoption. With Bitcoin predicted to reach $85,000 soon and 2025 poised to be a milestone year, institutions are increasingly focusing on altcoins with real-world applications.

Dive into the top predictions and altcoins capturing the spotlight as we explore the trends reshaping crypto.

Bitcoin Halving Cycles Insights

Dan Morehead anticipates that Bitcoin could soar to $117,000 by August 2025, propelled by its historical halving patterns. Halving events, which occur every four years, reduce miners’ rewards and tighten Bitcoin’s supply, often triggering price surges. Morehead notes that Bitcoin typically begins rising 400 days before a halving and peaks 480 days afterward.

Following the April 2024 halving—which cut mining rewards to 3.125 BTC—he expects Bitcoin to climb from its current price of $95,484 to $117,000, reflecting a 22.53% increase by mid-2025.

Top Altcoins Institutions Are Watching

As Bitcoin leads the charge, altcoins are increasingly finding their way into institutional portfolios. Here are the top 10 altcoins drawing significant attention:

HyperLiquid (HYPE)

HyperLiquid is a decentralized exchange (DEX) designed for perpetual futures, featuring a fully on-chain order book. Backed by strategic partnerships and recently added to Grayscale’s top 20 crypto list, it’s becoming a go-to for institutional investors. DeFiLlama reports over $12 billion in December trading volume, earning $8.6 million in revenue.

Ethena (ENA)

Ethena’s USDE stablecoin is backed by hedged positions in Bitcoin and Ethereum, offering yield through staking. Its alignment with pro-stablecoin regulations makes it a standout pick for institutions. ENA is currently trading at $1.07 with a rise of 16% this week. 

Virtuals Protocol (VIRUAL)

Built on Ethereum’s Layer 2 network, Virtuals Protocol enables the creation of tokenized AI agents capable of autonomous tasks. This cutting-edge platform is leading the charge in integrating AI with blockchain.

Jupiter (JUP)

The top DEX aggregator on Solana, Jupiter boasts the highest total value locked (TVL) on the network. With Solana gaining traction, Jupiter is poised to capitalize on this momentum.

Gito (GTO)

A liquid staking protocol on Solana, Gito has demonstrated impressive growth, generating over $550 million in revenue in 2024. Its robust financial performance makes it a top institutional pick.

Toncoin (TON)

Backed by Telegram, Toncoin is gaining attention for its ecosystem of decentralized applications (dApps) and its utility as a payment solution within Telegram’s vast user base.

Solana (SOL)

Known for its scalability and low transaction costs, Solana continues to attract institutional interest, especially with its growing ecosystem of dApps and DeFi projects.

Ondo Protocol (ONDO)

A lesser-known gem, Ondo Protocol focuses on financial derivatives, offering unique tools for hedging and trading. Its innovative approach is catching the eye of institutional players. 

Chainlink (LINK)

A veteran in the space, Chainlink remains a top choice for its role in powering DeFi and smart contracts through reliable Oracle services. 

All these coins add a bullish momentum for altcoins. Bitcoin dominance at 47% shows that altcoins are gaining momentum. Trump’s win is more favorable for altcoins than Bitcoin as Bitcoin’s performance may drop if regulations are delayed. Hence, a perfect scene for altcoins season is nearing.

Altcoins are no longer the underdogs—2025 might just be their time to shine.

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