Grayscale, a leading digital asset manager, has released its latest quarterly roundup of high-upside tokens, unveiling a list of 20 cryptocurrencies like Solana poised for significant growth in the first quarter of 2025. This list, which includes newcomers like Ethena, Hyperliquid, Jupiter, Jito, Virtuals, and Grass, reflects Grayscale’s bullish outlook on the crypto market, driven by factors such as the Republican sweep of the US elections and the burgeoning AI revolution.
Solana’s Resurgence: A Comeback Story
Solana, a high-performance blockchain that suffered a significant setback following the FTX collapse, has staged a remarkable comeback. Fueled by the growth of DeFi protocols, the boom in memecoins, and the rise of AI agents, Solana has not only recovered but also surpassed Tron to become the blockchain with the second-largest DeFi ecosystem.
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Grayscale recognizes this resurgence, including two key Solana-based protocols in its top 20 list:
- Jupiter: This decentralized exchange aggregator is well-positioned to capitalize on Solana’s growing popularity, particularly within the burgeoning AI agent and memecoin trading sectors.
- Jito: A liquid staking protocol, Jito has demonstrated impressive profitability, generating over $500 million in fees in 2024.
The AI Revolution: Transforming Crypto
The intersection of AI and crypto is rapidly gaining momentum. Investors have poured hundreds of millions of dollars into crypto-AI projects, and researchers estimate that this synergy will contribute an additional $20 trillion to the global economy by 2030.
Grayscale’s list reflects this growing trend, featuring projects like Virtuals, which simplifies the creation of AI agents on the Base blockchain, and Grass, which allows users to rent their unused internet bandwidth to AI companies for data training purposes.
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DeFi Dominance: Ethena and Hyperliquid Lead the Charge
The list also includes two prominent DeFi players:
- Ethena: This stablecoin issuer has witnessed rapid growth, with its USDe stablecoin surpassing Sky’s DAI to become the third-largest stablecoin in the market.
- Hyperliquid: This innovative blockchain, known for its focus on trading, generated significant excitement with its November airdrop, creating numerous millionaires and fueling speculation about a DeFi resurgence.
The Impact of the US Election
Grayscale believes that the Republican sweep of the US elections will have a significant impact on the crypto industry. With a more crypto-friendly regulatory environment expected, the firm anticipates increased growth and innovation within the sector. This positive regulatory outlook is expected to further fuel the growth of the crypto market, which has already surged by over 40% since the election, reaching a total market capitalization of nearly $3.4 trillion.
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Conclusion
Grayscale’s latest top 20 list provides valuable insights into the evolving crypto landscape. The inclusion of Solana-based protocols, AI-powered projects, and innovative DeFi platforms like Ethena and Hyperliquid highlights the dynamic and rapidly evolving nature of the cryptocurrency ecosystem. As the industry continues to mature and innovate, these projects are poised to play a crucial role in shaping the future of finance.
