January 2026 Crypto Forecast: The Best Cryptocurrencies to Buy Now for 100x Gains This Year

The hunt for explosive returns kicks off 2026. Forget the noise—this is about identifying the digital assets with the infrastructure, narrative, and community to potentially deliver life-changing multiples. We're not talking incremental gains; we're targeting the 100x horizon.

The Layer-1 Contenders: Beyond the Usual Suspects

Ethereum's dominance faces its stiffest test yet. A new wave of high-throughput blockchains is slashing transaction costs to near-zero and finalizing blocks in under a second. They're not just competing on speed—they're building developer ecosystems from the ground up, offering grants that make traditional VC funding look cautious. Watch for the chain that onboards a major traditional finance application this quarter; that's the signal flare.

DeFi's Next Evolution: Autonomy and Yield

Decentralized finance cuts out the middleman—permanently. The next iteration isn't just about swapping tokens; it's about permissionless lending protocols generating real-world yield and prediction markets that bypass censored news feeds. The most compelling projects won't just have a high APY; they'll have a bulletproof, code-is-law mechanism for distributing it. Remember, if the tokenomics look like a Ponzi scheme sketched on a napkin, they probably are.

The Infrastructure Play: Powering the Invisible Engine

While apps grab headlines, the protocols powering them mint quiet fortunes. We're tracking decentralized data oracles feeding trillion-dollar markets and cross-chain communication layers that finally make blockchain interoperability feel seamless. These are picks-and-shovels investments in a digital gold rush. Their success hinges on adoption, not hype—a refreshingly quaint concept in this space.

Navigating the 100x Minefield

Targeting monumental returns requires monumental conviction—and risk management. It means digging into GitHub commit history, not just Twitter follower counts. It involves mapping token unlock schedules to avoid post-vesting avalanches. The 'next big thing' often flops, while a boring solution to a critical problem soars. In a market where influencers are paid in tokens and 'financial advice' is a side hustle, your own research isn't just important—it's the only asset you can truly trust. The year ahead promises volatility, innovation, and, for the discerning, opportunity. The question isn't just what to buy, but what you're willing to understand before you do.

Tapzi (TAPZI): The GameFi Token With Surging Presale Momentum

Now let’s focus on Tapzi (TAPZI), which is one of the most talked-about early-stage tokens in the gaming crypto space and a strong candidate for the best crypto to buy now from an early adopter perspective.

Tapzi is currently in presale with token prices around $0.0035. That’s much lower compared to expected listing levels, which analysts project NEAR $0.01 upon launch.

This structure gives early buyers a clear entry advantage. Data shows Tapzi’s presale has been gaining traction, with millions of tokens already sold and whale involvement increasing demand.

The total token supply is limited to 5 billion, with only about 20% allocated to presale stages. This scarcity, combined with structured vesting (25% unlocked at listing, rest over months), helps minimize early sell pressure.

Bitcoin (BTC): The Market Bellwether

Bitcoin remains the king of crypto. Its price action sets the tone for the overall market. Analysts are closely watching BTC as a leading indicator of whether the next crypto rally will gain steam.

At the end of 2025, Bitcoin struggled to regain peak prices seen earlier in the year. Some forecasts suggest Bitcoin may bottom around $65,000 in 2026 based on past cycle behavior, before potentially moving up again later in the year.

Even conservative price models imply that bitcoin could act as a stabilizing force in early 2026, bouncing between current support levels and renewed buyer interest. BTC’s slow but steady uptrend could help lift other coins, especially when ETFs and institutional demand pick back up.

Technical Insight: The chart suggests Bitcoin may trade sideways to slightly higher early in 2026, with strong support near current key levels and potential resistance forming as broader market confidence returns.

Shiba Inu (SHIB): Meme Coin With Mixed Outlook

Shiba Inu (SHIB) remains one of the best memecoins to buy, but its price outlook is uncertain. Some optimistic forecasts have suggested SHIB could reach $0.0001 in Q1 2026, implying potential upside from current levels.

However, other analysts warn that SHIB’s trend could become weak as investors rotate attention toward coins with stronger utility. Recent bearish predictions suggest Shiba Inu might struggle to break higher, or even face downward pressure as speculative interest shifts to new narratives.

Key Takeaway: SHIB may still climb if sentiment turns positive and community activity increases. But its major upside relies more on community momentum than fundamental usage.

Gaming Utility & Growth Potential

Tapzi’s Core differentiator is its skill-based gaming ecosystem. Players compete in games like chess, checkers, and Tic Tac Toe, staking TAPZI to enter and earning rewards based on performance.

This model contrasts sharply with older “play-to-earn” tokens, which often lost value due to inflationary mechanics or user churn. Tapzi’s structure links token demand directly to active users and competition that makes a healthier growth path.

Early 2026 Outlook: If Tapzi successfully launches global tournaments, NFT avatars, and guild partnerships as planned, the user base could expand steadily, pushing demand for TAPZI organically upward.

Why Timing Matters for Tapzi

Investing in Tapzi (TAPZI) now (while the presale is still underway) could provide a strong risk/reward setup. If the presale price converts to $0.01 or more on listing, early buyers could see 286%+ returns even before factoring in adoption or additional ecosystem growth.

Further integration with Web3 gaming trends and wider marketing could make Tapzi not just a speculative play, but a utility token with real value.

Comparing the Three: BTC, SHIB, TAPZI

Let’s compare these best crypto to buy now and see how they compete for a greener portfolio.

Bitcoin (BTC) remains the clear market leader and is widely seen as a stability anchor for the entire crypto space. Its dominance and institutional backing give it strength, but also limit rapid price movement. Shiba Inu (SHIB) holds its place as one of the most recognized meme coins, supported by a large and active community. However, its position relies heavily on sentiment rather than fundamentals. Tapzi (TAPZI) sits at the opposite end of the spectrum as a presale gaming token. It is still early, lightly valued, and largely undiscovered by the wider market.

Bitcoin’s 2026 outlook points toward sideways movement or a gradual uptrend, driven by long-term holders and institutional flows. Shiba Inu’s direction remains uncertain and closely tied to social buzz and ecosystem updates. Tapzi’s forecast is more growth-oriented, as its performance depends on user adoption, game launches, and tournament activity.

Bitcoin offers moderate upside with lower risk. Shiba Inu provides variable returns based on momentum. Tapzi carries a higher risk, but also the strongest upside due to its low entry price and expanding gaming ecosystem.

What Chart Indicators Suggest for Early 2026

While crypto price predictions are never certain, some technical signals can help frame expectations:

• BTC support around key levels suggests slow accumulation.
• Resistance zones may emerge before major new highs.

• SHIB charts often show noise due to high volatility and low correlation to fundamentals.
• Breakouts depend heavily on social sentiment and community action.

• Presale price progression shows incremental increases across stages, reflecting rising investor confidence.
• Listing momentum often leads to sharp price discovery if liquidity is sufficient.

In essence, macro charts suggest stabilization in early 2026 for large caps, while smaller tokens with utility (like Tapzi) could MOVE faster in the right conditions.

Why Early Entry Still Matters

Many investors learned in previous cycles that early entry is often key to outsized gains. Those who bought Bitcoin at lower levels in past cycles enjoyed huge returns. The same logic applies to emerging tokens like Tapzi (TAPZI), especially when the project has real utility and clear tokenomics.

• Early pricing ahead of broader market attention
• Utility tied to actual gameplay and engagement
• Structured presale with vesting to limit sell pressure

These features make it a compelling pick on the list of best crypto coins to buy now.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Crypto to Invest in 2026

Q: What makes Tapzi different from other gaming tokens?

A: Tapzi focuses on skill-based gaming and rewards, not just holding or grinding. Its tokenomics tie actual usage to demand.

Q: What is the expected listing price for TAPZI?

A: Many presale stages aim for a listing near $0.01, which could mean strong early gains.

Q: Could Bitcoin still rise in 2026?

A: Some analysts project Bitcoin bottoming near $65,000 with potential to rise later in the year.

Q: Is Shiba Inu a good long-term buy?

A: SHIB’s long-term growth is less certain and tied to community sentiment and ecosystem activity.

Q: Should I invest in all three best cryptocurrencies to buy now?

A: Diversification helps manage risk. Combining established assets like BTC with early-stage tokens like Tapzi balances safety and upside.

Conclusion: Best Crypto to Buy Now in 2026

Bitcoin and Shiba Inu remain relevant, but their growth may be steady rather than explosive in early 2026. Tapzi, with strong presale momentum and real utility, shows potential for significant growth for early believers.

For investors looking at the best crypto to buy now, the mix of established names and emerging projects can create a balanced approach, stability from Bitcoin, community traction from meme tokens like SHIB, and high upside from utility-driven tokens like Tapzi.

Always remember, smart investing means taking calculated risks. Tapzi’s early stage and real-world game use make it one of the most talked-about entry points as the new year unfolds.

Join Tapzi’s $500,000 community giveaway and compete across nine prize categories to earn $TAPZI tokens—sign up today and become an early adopter!

Website: https://www.tapzi.io/

Whitepaper: https://docs.tapzi.io/

X Handle: https://x.com/Official_Tapzi