What Crypto Bear Market? All of These Cryptocurrencies Have Skyrocketed in Value This Year | The Motley Fool

This year has been challenging for cryptocurrency investors, with Bitcoin (BTC) experiencing a nearly 10% decline since the beginning of the year. Similarly, leading altcoins like Ethereum (ETH) and XRP (XRP) have seen drops of around 20% and 30%, respectively. However, amidst the bearish trends, some cryptocurrencies have demonstrated remarkable growth in 2026, with several rising over 100% in value.

One notable player in the decentralized exchange arena is Hyperliquid, a platform facilitating trading in spot cryptocurrencies and perpetual futures, supported by its own digital currency, Hyperliquid (HYPE). The HYPE token has surged by an impressive 210% this year, propelling it into the ranks of the top 10 cryptocurrencies globally, with a market capitalization of approximately $20 billion. The exchange has garnered attention from high-profile officials in the Trump administration; in August, President Trump mentioned Hyperliquid in a White House meeting, urging regulators to facilitate its entry into the U.S. market. Currently, Hyperliquid operates from Singapore, and U.S. investors are prohibited from trading on the platform. The recent introduction of Hyperliquid spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has broadened its appeal, making HYPE a more attractive option for mainstream investors.

Zcash (ZEC), a cryptocurrency known for its privacy features that shield transaction data, has also emerged as a strong performer this year, climbing 128% year-to-date. This impressive growth has earned Zcash a spot among the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. In August, Grayscale, a digital asset investment firm, launched the first-ever spot Zcash ETF, which quickly attracted over $500 million from investors in under a month, reflecting significant demand for Zcash.

NEAR Protocol (NEAR), which has transitioned from a general-purpose Layer-1 blockchain to one focusing on the artificial intelligence (AI) sector, is another standout. The platform has adopted the tagline "The currency of agents" as it positions itself to capitalize on the burgeoning AI agent economy. Despite being down 75% from its all-time high in January 2022, NEAR has regained momentum, rising 240% in 2026 alone. As long as interest in AI agents persists, NEAR could continue its upward trajectory, though its future performance remains uncertain once the hype subsides.

Venice Token (VVV), another altcoin linked to the AI sector, has experienced tremendous growth. It supports Venice AI, a privacy-oriented generative AI platform that allows users to create text, images, or videos from a single prompt. Unlike many centralized AI platforms, Venice ensures user data remains private, promoting a decentralized approach to AI. This concept aligns with growing discussions about the future of AI, as highlighted by Jensen Huang of Nvidia earlier this year. Venice Token has skyrocketed by an astonishing 1,300% this year, positioning it as the top-performing major cryptocurrency, with a market capitalization exceeding $1 billion.

When considering the best investment among these high-performing cryptocurrencies, Hyperliquid stands out. The growing popularity of perpetual futures, particularly in international markets, along with recent regulatory developments in the U.S., suggest significant growth potential for Hyperliquid. Additionally, the backing from the Trump administration helps alleviate some regulatory uncertainties associated with perpetual futures. Consequently, Hyperliquid is favored over Venice Token as the most promising altcoin to invest in at this time.