It’s been an eventful start to the week for crypto, with altcoins like XRP and Hedera extending their rallies from last week.

Both coins have posted solid gains, cementing their momentum in an unpredictable market.

Meanwhile, meme coins aren’t fading away – with Pepe Unchained hitting huge milestones in its presale.

Could PEPU be the next breakout star following XRP and HBAR?

XRP & Hedera Shine as Utility Coins Lead the Week’s Gains

XRP is leading the way this week, soaring to $2.66 – an 84% jump in just seven days.

Now just 29% below its all-time high, the token has overtaken Ethereum in daily trading volume, highlighting its growing market presence.

Hedera isn’t far behind, pulling off a 164% surge to hit $0.34.

Spot trading volumes for HBAR have rocketed to $7.1 billion, up 95% in a single day.

Although the token is still 38% off its 2021 peak, its momentum shows no signs of slowing down.

What makes these moves stand out is their timing.

While much of the market remains choppy, XRP and HBAR continue to show explosive growth, suggesting a shift in investor focus towards projects with real-world utility rather than pure “meme vibes.”

Some big names think this is the case.

For example, crypto commentator @ZeusCrypto stated, “Old utility coins are starting to come back.”

Bitcoin & Solana Stall – Is The Market Eyeing Smaller-Cap Tokens?

The broader crypto market has been more of a mixed bag this week.

Bitcoin has edged up 2% to $95,250 but continues to struggle with breaking past the key $100,000 level.

Meanwhile rising open interest on Binance hints that traders are preparing for action – though the coin’s next move remains uncertain.

Solana has had a rougher week, sliding 4% to $225, highlighting the contrast between its decline and the rallies from XRP and HBAR.

However, the Crypto Fear & Greed Index remains high at 76, in “Extreme Greed” territory, so investors might be looking beyond the usual top altcoins for buying opportunities.

This shift in focus could mark a new trend.

As big cryptos consolidate, traders might be more willing to bet on smaller-cap tokens, setting the stage for new breakout stars.

And with a potential “Santa Rally” on the horizon, this scenario might be closer than many expect – especially for promising new projects.

Pepe Unchained Presale Raises Over $66M as New Layer-2 Meme Coin Prepares for First Exchange Listing

As XRP and HBAR rise, Pepe Unchained is also making a name for itself.

With just 10 days left in presale, the project has now raised over $66.6 million, offering PEPU tokens at $0.01295 for a limited time.

This makes Pepe Unchained one of the biggest pre-launch meme coins ever.

Its popularity is evident from the surge in Twitter and Telegram followers, alongside major crypto influencers’ endorsements.

For example, ClayBro and the team at 99Bitcoins recently gave bullish price predictions for PEPU.

Unlike most meme coins, Pepe Unchained brings more than hype to the table.

Built on Layer-2 tech, it tackles real blockchain challenges with fast transactions, low fees, and an ecosystem that contains a DEX and an Ethereum bridge.

There’s even a “double staking” protocol for PEPU holders, offering yields of 55% annually.

These features are more typical of a DeFi 2.0 project than a meme coin – giving Pepe Unchained a unique edge.

And this setup is resonating with early investors.

As the market gravitates towards tokens with real value, Pepe Unchained looks well-positioned to follow in the footsteps of XRP and HBAR.

With its accessible presale and feature-rich ecosystem, there’s every chance PEPU could benefit from the current altcoin momentum once it hits exchanges later this month.

Visit Pepe Unchained Presale

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