Best Crypto to buy now December 19
Web 3 Journalist
Tim Hackey
Web 3 Journalist
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As speculation grows around a 2026 crypto bull run, especially if US lawmakers finally introduce comprehensive crypto regulations, the lead-up to Christmas is shaping up to be the best time to load up on crypto if you can believe it.
Bitcoin has remained below $90,000 since Sunday, trading above $87,000 in the past 24 hours.
A key trend to note is Bitcoin's steady decline in market dominance since the summer. Historically, this shift has often seen capital divert from Bitcoin to altcoins. In this area, projects like XRP, Solana and Ethereum offer the best potential to increase the price in the coming year.
XRP: Shaping Global Payments
Ripple's XRP ($XRP) remains a dominant force in the cross-border payments space thanks to its instantaneous transaction speeds and extremely low fees. Built to modernize global payment rails, the XRP Ledger (XRPL) is a faster and cheaper alternative to older systems like SWIFT.
XRP's importance has been institutionally acknowledged, with references appearing in reports from the United Nations Capital Development Fund and the White House. Backed by Ripple's expanding network of fintech partnerships, XRP has become the third largest cryptocurrency outside of statscoins with a market capitalization of over $113 billion.
Following the settlement of Ripple's long-running legal battle with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, XRP rose to its first new all-time high (ATH) in seven years at $3.65. Since then, the token has pulled back roughly 49% and is currently trading at $1.87.
The new launch of five position XRP ETFs in the United States has led to new institutional interest, although much of that interest is not reflected in current prices, perhaps due to market valuations. Looking ahead, more ETF approvals and clearer regulatory guidelines could act as a powerful tailwind. Under favorable conditions, XRP could return to record highs in the new year.
Solana (SOL): High-speed blockchain targeting a potential move at $1,200
Solana ($SOL) has established itself as a leading smart contract platform known for its fast transaction processing and minimal costs. With a market cap of nearly $71 billion and a total value locked (TVL) of nearly $9 billion in the DFi ecosystem, Solana continues to be a strong competitor to Ethereum.
The recently launched Solana spot ETFs from companies like Grayscale and Bitwise could pave the way for meaningful institutional returns, similar to the capital gains that have fueled Bitcoin and Ethereum in the past.
After slipping to $100 earlier this year, SOL has rebounded and is now trading around $125, hovering over a key technical support level. It is also below the 30-day moving average, which suggests that a minor price increase to $130 or $140 could occur by the end of the week.
The next significant resistance is located near $250. A clean break above that zone could send SOL to its previous high of $293.31. With a strong holiday rally, SOL could even hit $500, although a weak holiday performance won't result in any major losses, in a bearish case, Solana will probably hold its fort somewhere in its current support zone.
Beyond price action, Solana is emerging as the network of choice for real-world asset (RWA) tokens. Major financial players including BlackRock and Franklin Templeton have chosen Solana to launch investment products.
Ethereum ($ETH): The smart-contract giant prepares for the next level
Ethereum (ETH) continues to support decentralized finance and much of the broader Web3 landscape, backed by a capitalization north of $357 billion.
With a TVL of more than $69 billion, Ethereum remains the main platform for smart contracts and decentralized applications, which strengthens its central role in the blockchain ecosystem.
In a strong market cycle, ETH could push to the $6,500 level by the end of the year, surpassing the current price of $2,966 and the previous high of $4,946 set in August.
The recent Fusaka update, implemented earlier this month, will significantly improve data delivery for Layer-2 networks by enhancing security, efficiency and scalability. These changes could help drive ETH to $5,000 before the end of the month.
A move to five figures may depend on clearer US regulations and a supportive macroeconomic environment, both of which could unlock greater institutional participation.
Earlier this year, ETH broke out of a flag formation, rallying to a new high above $1,800. Sustained momentum will be essential if Ethereum is to achieve a new ATH in the New Year.
SUBBD uses AI and Blockchain to revolutionize the creative economy.
Among new projects, SUBBD ($SUBBD), an AI-powered content platform that aims to disrupt the $85 billion creative economy, is garnering attention. The project focuses on empowering creators with better monetization tools and giving fans more meaningful engagement.
Unlike traditional subscription services that can charge fees of up to 20% and limit community ownership, SUBBD follows a decentralized approach that eliminates middlemen. This concept resonated with early supporters, collecting 1.4 million dollars during the pre-sale.
Helping creators build stronger and more direct relationships with their communities, users get access to token-protected content, early drops, and special offers.
To stay updated, you can follow SUBBD on X, Telegram and Instagram or join the ongoing pre-sale directly on their website.
Click here to participate in the pre-sale
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