As 2026 approaches, the crypto market continues to move with strong energy, and traders are watching new signals closely. Many participants are now focused on projects that combine clear use cases with growing demand. While Bitcoin and Ethereum still lead the space, attention is shifting toward newer names that could offer strong upside. This shift has pushed many to search for top cryptos to watch now as market momentum builds.
This breakdown looks at four projects that are gaining attention at the start of the year. Each brings a different angle, ranging from early-stage presale activity to established networks with rising usage. Together, they reflect how top cryptos to watch now are being defined by timing, technology, and active communities rather than hype alone.
BlockDAG: A Layer-1 Structure Drawing Global Attention
Recent activity around BlockDAG (BDAG) shows how quickly interest can build when timing and structure align. The presale has already crossed over $443 million in funding, with around 3.2 billion coins still remaining. The system combines Proof-of-Work security with a Directed Acyclic Graph design, allowing transactions to move at the same time instead of waiting in sequence. This setup helps reduce delays while keeping the network secure and efficient.
Current presale details continue to attract focus as the end date approaches. The presale is set to finish on January 26, with Batch 35 now live at a special presale price of $0.003 per coin. With earlier batches already filled, many are watching closely as this window narrows. Analysts point out that the fixed pricing gap between presale levels and public market expectations creates urgency, especially as supply tightens near the end. These conditions place BlockDAG among the top cryptos to watch now for those tracking early-stage activity.
Beyond pricing, BlockDAG supports EVM compatibility, which allows developers to move Ethereum-based applications without rewriting code. The project also includes mobile-based mining through its X1 app and a payment card usable across millions of merchants globally. With more than 300,000 holders already participating and multiple exchange listings confirmed after the presale ends, BlockDAG continues to stand out among top cryptos to watch now as January 26 gets closer.
SUI: Strong Signals From Large Market Players
Momentum around SUI has been building steadily since the start of the year. The price climbed roughly 38% in January, reaching the $1.95 area while handling a major $78.9 million unlock on January 1 without a sharp downside. This stability suggests that demand remains solid even during supply events. Total value locked has crossed $1.04 billion, while open interest in derivatives markets has moved near $947 million, showing deeper market involvement.
Technical progress has also played a role in SUI’s growing profile. The Mysticeti v2 update lifted transaction capacity to around 866 per second, helping the network compete with other fast Layer-1 platforms. At the same time, ETF applications tied to SUI from Bitwise and Canary Capital are awaiting regulatory decisions. Some analysts estimate approval chances near 60%, which has helped keep SUI listed among the top cryptos to watch now. Short-term price views range between $2.13 and $2.61, with higher targets discussed if momentum stays strong.
Toncoin: Messaging Scale Meets Blockchain Utility
Trading activity for Toncoin has remained active, with prices moving between $1.75 and $1.91 after an 11.5% weekly rise. A key update arrived on January 1 when Telegram introduced its self-custodial wallet to users in the United States. This change allows nearly 900 million users worldwide to interact with crypto features directly inside the messaging app, giving Toncoin a rare distribution advantage.
Public commentary has also drawn attention. Anthony Scaramucci of SkyBridge Capital recently named TON as one of his preferred altcoins for 2026. Analysts tracking adoption trends suggest near-term price levels between $2.05 and $2.30, depending on user activity growth. Because of its built-in access to a massive user base, Toncoin is often included when discussing top cryptos to watch now with real-world reach.
Pepe: High-Volatility Interest Picks Up Again
Market movement around Pepe has turned active once more. The price jumped about 20% on January 2, pushing it to roughly $0.00000596. Since December lows, the token has climbed around 85%, helped by more than $10.4 million in short positions being closed. This rapid move has brought renewed attention from traders who follow meme-driven cycles.
Pepe now holds a market cap near $2.5 billion and counts over 463,000 holders. Liquidity remains strong across major platforms such as Binance, Coinbase, and Robinhood. Chart watchers note a bullish pennant pattern forming, with resistance near $0.00000700. If meme interest grows again later in the year, projections range between $0.000015 and $0.00002. Due to its volatility, Pepe is often listed among top cryptos to watch now for those comfortable with fast price swings.
Final Overview
Taken together, these four names highlight different paths within the crypto market as 2026 unfolds. BlockDAG reflects early-stage urgency as its presale nears a January 26 finish, while SUI shows how institutional activity can support steady growth. Toncoin benefits from direct access to a massive social platform, and Pepe captures attention through community-driven price action. Each continues to appear in discussions about top cryptos to watch now.
Choosing among top cryptos to watch now depends on personal goals and comfort with risk. Some may focus on presale timing, others on infrastructure strength or user reach. Looking across several projects rather than just one can help balance exposure while staying aligned with current market trends.