altcoins

As February 2026 approaches, the broader crypto market is showing early signs of stabilization after weeks of heightened volatility. While Bitcoin and major large-cap assets remain range-bound, capital rotation is becoming increasingly selective. Investors appear to be favoring altcoins backed by clear development roadmaps, improving on-chain indicators, and strong long-term narratives such as privacy protection and decentralized infrastructure.
Based on these criteria, several altcoins stand out as potential candidates for renewed upside momentum. Below are three projects that, if current trends continue, could challenge or even set new all-time highs in February 2026.
Midnight (NIGHT)
Midnight (NIGHT) entered the market with strong momentum following its launch in December 2025. However, like many newly listed tokens, it experienced a sharp correction as early investors locked in profits. This sell-side pressure dominated price action throughout January, pushing NIGHT into a prolonged consolidation phase.
Heading into February, market conditions appear more constructive. According to Midnight’s official roadmap, Q1 2026 marks the Kūkolu phase, which focuses on delivering a stable mainnet, trusted validator infrastructure, and privacy-first decentralized applications. These milestones are closely watched by long-term participants, as they represent a transition from speculative valuation to utility-driven demand.
On the technical side, the Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) indicator has begun trending higher, suggesting that capital outflows are slowing and accumulation may be gradually emerging. If inflows strengthen, NIGHT could stabilize around the $0.053 region and attempt a recovery toward its previous all-time high near $0.120 — representing a potential upside of over 120%.
The involvement of Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson continues to add credibility to the project, particularly among investors focused on privacy-preserving blockchain solutions. That said, failure to maintain positive momentum could expose NIGHT to renewed downside, with key support levels near $0.039 remaining critical to watch.
Hyperliquid (HYPE)
Hyperliquid (HYPE) is currently trading around the $29 level, well below its all-time high of $59. While this represents a significant drawdown, recent on-chain and derivatives data point to a potential shift in market structure.
One of the most notable changes is seen in the Chaikin Money Flow, which has moved decisively above the neutral line. This transition often signals that buyers are beginning to absorb available supply, a pattern commonly observed during early-stage recoveries.
Additionally, HYPE maintains a negative correlation of approximately -0.22 with Bitcoin, indicating that its price movements are increasingly driven by project-specific factors rather than broader market direction. This independence can be advantageous during periods of BTC consolidation.
Fundamentally, demand for Hyperliquid’s decentralized trading infrastructure continues to grow. Open interest tied to HIP-3 surged to nearly $793 million on January 26–27, 2026, up from around $260 million just one month earlier. This sharp increase highlights rising interest in decentralized commodities trading and alternative derivatives platforms.
If current momentum persists, HYPE could attempt a breakout above the $38 resistance zone, with $47 acting as the next major technical checkpoint. A successful reclaim of that level would strengthen the case for a longer-term move back toward the $59 all-time high. Conversely, weakening inflows could shift risk lower, with downside support near $23 and $20.
Monero (XMR)
Monero (XMR), one of the most established privacy-focused cryptocurrencies, is trading near $437 after recently losing the $450 support level. Over the past 11 days, XMR has declined by roughly 30%, reflecting broader market risk-off sentiment and profit-taking.
Despite the pullback, momentum indicators suggest that selling pressure may be approaching exhaustion. The Money Flow Index (MFI) remains above oversold territory but is consistent with historical periods where downside momentum began to weaken.
Privacy-focused narratives are once again gaining attention amid growing concerns around surveillance, compliance-driven delistings, and on-chain transparency. As the leading privacy coin, Monero stands to benefit if capital rotates back into this segment.
A sustained recovery could allow XMR to reclaim the $500 psychological level. Beyond that, resistance zones near $600 and $679 remain key. A successful break above these levels would open a longer-term path toward the $800 region, representing an upside of over 80% from current prices. However, if narrative-driven demand fails to materialize, Monero may continue consolidating below $500 while holding structural support around $417.
Final Thoughts
While market volatility remains a defining feature of early 2026, selective accumulation and improving fundamentals suggest that certain altcoins may be positioning for stronger moves ahead. Midnight, Hyperliquid, and Monero each present unique narratives supported by on-chain data and development progress. As always, market conditions can change rapidly, and price action should be monitored closely.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Investors should conduct their own research and assess risk carefully before making any decisions.
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