A growing number of analysts expect fresh capital to rotate back into crypto markets in 2026, particularly toward assets with clear narratives, improving liquidity, and visible catalysts.
Based on Finbold’s analysis on Christmas Day 2025 and recent market behaviour, two cryptocurrencies stand out as realistic candidates to (re)approach a $1 billion market capitalization next year.
OFFICIAL TRUMP (TRUMP)
OFFICIAL TRUMP (TRUMP) is currently trading near the psychologically important $1 billion market cap threshold after rebounding to around $4.96, up roughly 2.6% over the past 24 hours. The move is notable given that the token remains down approximately 20% over the last 30 days, suggesting the recent bounce is less about trend reversal and more about structural factors in supply and sentiment.
The most immediate pressure on TRUMP came from a $24.8 million token unlock on December 22, when 4.89 million tokens entered circulation. While unlocks often exacerbate downside momentum, price action on December 25 indicates that the market has largely absorbed this new supply. Volume has stabilized, and selling pressure appears to have eased, allowing the token to reclaim ground near prior resistance.
Looking ahead, TRUMP’s path toward a sustained $1 billion valuation will likely hinge on whether the $5 level flips from resistance into support. As a politically themed memecoin, its narrative remains a double-edged sword.
Regulatory risk is persistent, but election cycles, media exposure, and political milestones could reintroduce speculative demand. With roughly 800 million tokens still reserved for gradual release by Trump-linked entities, supply dynamics will remain a central variable through 2026.
Cosmos (ATOM)
Cosmos (ATOM) is approaching the $1 billion market cap mark from a fundamentally different angle. ATOM rose just over 3% in the past 24 hours, outperforming the broader crypto market, and currently sits near a $966 million valuation. While still down nearly 19% over the past 30 days, recent developments suggest improving medium-term fundamentals.
A key catalyst is THORChain’s launch of a public beta for its native cross-chain swap interface on December 23. The update allows direct ATOM swaps without bridges or wrapped assets, increasing Cosmos’ exposure to THORChain’s liquidity network. This integration likely contributed to a pickup in trading activity, with ATOM posting roughly $42.7 million in 24-hour volume.
At the same time, Cosmos Labs has issued a Request for Proposals to redesign ATOM’s tokenomics by January 15, 2026. Speculation around lower inflation and improved fee capture from major Cosmos SDK chains such as dYdX and Cronos has added a constructive undertone to price action. While the outcome remains uncertain, the discussion alone has helped reframe ATOM as an evolving asset rather than a stagnant one.
The bigger picture
Both TRUMP and ATOM have traded well above $1 billion market caps in previous cycles, making a return to that level far from inconceivable. TRUMP relies on narrative-driven momentum and supply absorption, while Cosmos’ case rests on ecosystem growth and economic restructuring. If capital inflows accelerate in 2026, these contrasting paths could converge at the same destination, a renewed $1 billion valuation.
