SL Salem

As we move through early 2026, the rules of the game have fundamentally shifted. The market has matured, and today's bet is no longer on "memes" or empty promises, but on projects delivering real technical solutions and solid infrastructure.

If you're looking for the "next big surprise" on Binance, I’ve compiled the list currently dominating expert discussions (Reminder: This is analysis, not financial advice).

1. The Looming Giants: Imminent Explosions? 🚀
These coins aren't new, but their 2026 catalysts are running at full throttle:

Sui ($SUI ): Now widely dubbed the "Solana Killer." Thanks to the Move programming language and speeds that defy expectations, it has attracted massive investment inflows. Analysts project a potential growth of 270% in 2026.

Ripple ($XRP): Following total legal clarity, XRP has transitioned from a "courtroom coin" to an "institutional asset." The bet now lies on ETFs and global bank adoption. Optimistic targets place it in the $10 to $15 range.

2. Infrastructure Kings & Machine Intelligence 🤖
AI is the narrative of the year, and these coins are its fuel:

Chainlink ($LINK ): The indispensable "backbone" connecting real-world data to the blockchain. With the surge in RWA (Real-World Asset) tokenization, LINK is a prime candidate to shatter its old all-time highs.

Hyperliquid ($HYPE): The rising star of decentralized perpetual trading. It has shown incredible strength independent of Bitcoin’s movements, remaining a top pick for pro traders due to its deep liquidity.

3. Hidden Gems: "Under the Radar" Surprises 💎
Coins whose technology speaks louder than their marketing:

Midnight ($NIGHT): The ambitious project backed by Charles Hoskinson (Cardano). Its intense focus on privacy and data protection has made it a major trend in 2026.

Celestia ($TIA ): The pioneer of "Modular Blockchains." It serves as the magic bullet for scaling issues, acting as the foundational infrastructure for the next generation of dApps.

💡 A "Little Satoshi" Pro-Tip: > The real surprises in this market often come from projects solving Privacy or Decentralized AI. Always keep an eye on projects forming partnerships with tech giants or sovereign wealth funds—they are the ones with the long-term stamina.

In a move that has caught both Wall Street and the crypto world’s attention, President Donald Trump has nominated Kevin Warsh to succeed Jerome Powell as Chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve. Known for his relatively crypto-friendly stance, Warsh has previously remarked that Bitcoin poses no systemic threat and could potentially serve as a beneficial tool for monetary policy. While regarded as cautious on loose monetary policies, his appointment signals a potential more balanced approach toward digital assets at the Fed.

Meanwhile, Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, announced plans to convert its $1 billion SAFU (Secure Asset Fund for Users) reserve from stablecoins into Bitcoin over the next 30 days. The move is aimed at strengthening user confidence and reflects Binance’s growing trust in the flagship cryptocurrency as a long-term store of value. Binance also confirmed ongoing portfolio rebalancing to maintain the fund’s stability amid market fluctuations.

Other notable updates include SoFi Technologies surpassing $1 billion in quarterly revenue with increased crypto-related activity, and Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin pledging $45 million in ETH toward open-source projects enhancing network security and privacy.
Analysts see these developments as indicative of a growing alignment between mainstream finance and crypto markets, highlighting a trend where institutional support and regulatory clarity could further bolster digital assets.
$BTC

Former Ripple CTO Weighs In on Market Speculation
Speculation surrounding XRP and its potential to reach ambitious price levels—ranging from $50 to $100 has once again gained traction across social media platforms. As enthusiasm builds among retail investors, David Schwartz, former Chief Technology Officer of Ripple and a key architect of the XRP Ledger, has stepped in to offer a more grounded perspective.

A Cautious, Not Absolute, Stance
Schwartz did not categorically dismiss the possibility of $XRP reaching such levels. However, he made it clear that, based on current market conditions, he does not view this outcome as likely. His position reflects caution rather than outright skepticism, emphasizing that price expectations must be evaluated through the lens of market behavior rather than hype.
Market Logic and Investor Conviction
At the core of Schwartz’s argument lies a simple economic principle: markets price in collective belief. He explained that if a significant portion of rational investors genuinely believed there was even a modest probability say 10% of XRP reaching $100 within the next few years, demand for the asset would already be substantially higher. Such demand would naturally push the price well beyond its current levels.
The fact that $XRP continues to trade far below double-digit territory suggests, in his view, that the market as a whole does not assign meaningful probability to that scenario at present.

Lessons from Past Misjudgments
Schwartz also acknowledged that the cryptocurrency market has a long history of defying expectations including his own. He admitted to underestimating XRP’s price potential in its early days and recalled similar doubts about Bitcoin’s ability to reach $100, a milestone it surpassed long ago.
These reflections serve as a reminder that while market logic is essential, crypto markets remain inherently unpredictable.
Final Takeaway
Rather than discouraging optimism, Schwartz’s comments highlight the importance of realistic expectations and disciplined analysis. While extreme price targets cannot be ruled out entirely, achieving levels such as $100 would require a fundamental shift in $XRP ’s adoption, utility, and investor confidence on a global scale.
In essence, the current price of $XRP is not just a number it is a reflection of what the market collectively believes is plausible today.