4 Crypto Coins to Watch Closely—Starting with One That Just Checked Off a Major Box Ahead of Its Mainnet Launch

As crypto continues to test investor patience and reward long-term strategy, choosing the right projects is more critical than ever.

In the dynamic realm of cryptocurrency, where tokens rise and fall with the ebb and flow of market trends, selecting promising projects for investment is a crucial endeavor. While meme coins and overhyped tokens may momentarily capture the spotlight, they rarely stand the test of time. In contrast, smart investors are increasingly turning their attention toward platforms that offer real utility, boast impressive growth metrics, and are founded upon strong fundamentals.

These platforms are designed to provide lasting contributions to the evolving cryptocurrency landscape. To aid in your investment journey, we'll be highlighting four crypto coins that are best to keep an eye on now.

1. BlockDAG (BDAG)

A project that began its presale journey in late 2023, BlockDAG has quickly gained attention not just for its presale stats but also for technical validation. Having just completed a third-party audit, BlockDAG has brought inCoinsPaid to independently examine its smart contracts, staking mechanics, and core protocol logic. This audit was a key step ahead of the mainnet launch, showcasing BlockDAG’s commitment to security, especially in a decentralized system where investors usually have limited avenues for due diligence.

Completing the audit and mainnet launch are pivotal moments that signify the transition from a nascent project to a fully operational stage. In a market saturated with projects that prioritize hype over execution, BlockDAG has managed to achieve both, a feat rarely seen in the crypto sphere.

With presale batch 1 beginning on November 14, 2023, and the project now in the final stages of its presale, the project has raised $214 million and sold over 19.2 billion coins. At present, with batch 27 ongoing, the token price stands at $0.0248, showcasing a remarkable 2,380% ROI since the first batch.

This rapid token appreciation, in tandem with the project’s all-in-one Web3 app and active testnet, denotes a project rapidly gaining traction. For those tracking crypto coins to watch closely, BlockDAG is turning heads not just because it’s moving rapidly but also because it’s doing so with the foundations that most early-stage projects usually fail to lay.

2. Hyperliquid (HYPE)

For traders who value deep liquidity and swift execution, Hyperliquid has quickly become a top pick. Built as a high-performance decentralized exchange, the protocol offers near-instant token swaps, rendering it a favorite among DeFi veterans who are used to the speedier CEX environments.

However, what makes Hyperliquid one of the crypto coins to watch is its ability to provide a CEX-like experience in a fully non-custodial environment. In the present crypto narrative, where users are increasingly interested in self-custody and on-chain trading, Hyperliquid manages to combine both aspects.

Volume growth and user engagement have steadily climbed, largely driven by its low-latency trading engine, which ensures optimal market response time, and UI, which is designed for both novice and experienced traders. Moreover, Hyperliquid’s governance structure is also worth keeping an eye on as it continues to evolve toward greater decentralization, granting community members more say in the platform’s development.

While it doesn’t yet have the presale narrative that some new projects possess, its strong technical underpinnings and dedicated user base make it a token to watch closely in the coming quarters as the broader trends toward self-custody and on-chain trading continue to unfold, setting the stage for platforms like Hyperliquid to take center stage.

3. Chainlink (LINK)

A name that has stayed relevant in the crypto sphere for years now, Chainlink (LINK) continues to be one of the top crypto coins to watch due to its expanding role in cross-chain interoperability and oracle services. Chainlink has been a key enabler for DeFi protocols, providing reliable price feeds, weather data, and other off-chain information that smart contracts need to function effectively.

However, recent developments are pushing Chainlink beyond the realm of typical decentralized applications. With Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) gaining traction, it’s aiming to become the glue that binds different blockchain ecosystems, allowing them to communicate seamlessly. This has major implications for developers who want to build applications spanning multiple chains and protocols that need reliable, real-time data.

As institutions and traditional financial institutions (TFCIs) become more interested in exploring blockchain technology, Chainlink’s utility in facilitating these integrations becomes even more critical.

Although it’s a more mature project compared to others on this list, Chainlink’s roadmap continues to evolve with a focus on expanding its capabilities and partnerships. In a market where most tokens quickly fade after a single hype cycle, Chainlink’s consistent partnerships and technical upgrades keep it relevant in the long run.

4. Hedera (HBAR)

Often overlooked due to its unique consensus model, Hedera