Top 5 Altcoins For October 2023 That Could 20X Your Crypto Portfolio

By now, Bitcoin has grown to the point where crypto investors do not expect very large returns from it and are now looking toward altcoins that could provide the kind of returns they seek. However, with thousands of altcoins circulating in the crypto market, it can become quite hard to pick the coins that could end up doing well.

So here are five altcoins that are well-positioned to do well in the next bull market that could potentially 20x your crypto portfolio.

Lido DAO (LDO) Is A Top Crypto Contender

Lido DAO (LDO) has grown rapidly to dominate the Ethereum liquid staking game, accounting for over 30% of all staked ETH in LSD protocols. This has brought immense attention to its native token, LDO, which on its own has also seen a good run over the years.

However, at just a $1.4 billion market cap, LDO is still what can be referred to as undervalued given its standing in the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector. A bull market could easily see the market cap of LDO cross $30 billion, which would be a more than 20x return on investment from its current $1.61 price level.

Arbitrum (ARB) Dominates Ethereum Layer 2 Altcoins

Arbitrum (ARB) features on this list because of the network’s performance over the years. Of all the Ethereum Layer 2 networks currently in the game, Arbitrum leads the pack both in terms of Total Value Locked (TVL) and daily trade volume.

This puts it ahead of the likes of Optimism (OP), Avalanche (AVAX), and Polygon (MATIC), all of which have been in the game just as long. However, of the 4 leading Ethereum L2s, Arbitrum has the lowest market cap. At $1.08 billion, it is yet to see the same kind of surge its competitors saw in 2021 due to the token launching in the bear market. Arbitrum’s performance even in a bear market shows that it could easily be a top 10 cryptocurrency in the bull market.

Stacks (STX): The Crypto Child Of Bitcoin

Currently, when crypto investors think of NFTs and DeFi on the Bitcoin network, they think of Stacks (STX). This is because Stacks is a Layer 2 network that allows the usage of smart contracts on Bitcoin. This means developers are able to build protocols as well as launch NFT collections on the Bitcoin network using Stacks (STX).

STX’s market cap is still very low at just $715 million especially given what it enables developers to do on the Bitcoin network. This offering makes sure that Stacks is always on the radar of investors, making it a billion-dollar token that could easily bring 20x returns.

Altcoins total market cap chart from Tradingview.com (Crypto 20x)

Kava (KAVA) Joins The Fun With Layer 1 Technology

Kava (KAVA) has been building up into mainstream adoption despite competition with the biggest networks in the space. This Layer 1 blockchain is taking another route to interoperability by combining the best parts of the Ethereum and the Cosmos networks.

Ethereum is known for its developer power, enabling developers to build pretty much anything, but still held down by slow transactions and high fees. On the other hand, Cosmos has some of the highest speeds and interoperability and when both of these are combined, it presents basically a supercharged Layer 1 blockchain equipped to handle almost anything.

Its native token KAVA is already one of the most watched Layer 1 native tokens, and at a $500 million market cap, it’s fair to say that this altcoin is far from done.

Altcoins Are Not Complete Without The Trust Wallet Token (TWT)

With so many centralized exchanges running into issues such as hacks and bankruptcy, more crypto investors are choosing to self-custody their coins. The top 2 self-custody wallets that also allow users to take advantage of DeFi and NFTs are MetaMask and Trust Wallet. Since only the latter currently has a token, it has been able to corner that market share for itself.

Trust Wallet’s native TWT token rose in popularity when the FTX crypto exchange crashed in 2022 and has not stopped. Going into the bull market, self-custody is expected to be the main avenue to store coins and TWT’s current $411 million market cap could quickly turn into an $8 billion market cap in the bull market.

Altcoin Watchlist: Analyst Shares What’s Hot In Crypto This Week

The crypto market is always in flux, with new narratives and trends emerging each week. Renowned crypto analyst Miles Deutscher recently took to Twitter to share his insights on the altcoin space, shedding light on the tokens that are catching his attention.

Crypto Watchlist For This Week

Starting with UNIBOT, Deutscher highlighted its recent performance, noting that it’s down significantly (-60%) from its highs. He attributed this decline to a combination of fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) and a decrease in key metrics. However, he remains optimistic, suggesting that the accelerated selling might be slowing down.

“I used the dip as an opportunity to add to my position. I don’t think there’s a rush – but if you believe in the narrative you’re now getting another chance to accumulate in the double digits,” he shared, indicating a belief in the token’s long-term potential.

KAVA is another token on Deutscher’s radar. He pointed out several positive developments, including its addition to Fireblocks, a platform that serves as a gateway for institutions. Furthermore, the involvement of DWF Labs and Kava’s role as a gateway to the Cosmos ecosystem for Tether are promising signs. The recent launch of their first perpetual decentralized exchange (perp dex) further underscores Kava’s growing momentum in the market. “Recently added to my accumulation list + I’m watching the chart closely,” Deutscher stated.

However, not all tokens are receiving a positive nod. The analyst expressed concerns about GALA, citing internal disputes between its founders. “The situation over there is crazy, with both founders suing each other,” he remarked. This ongoing legal battle could potentially hinder the token’s performance and future developments. Deutscher also raised concerns about GALA’s centralization because of the fact that both the founders own 7,000 nodes and 50,000 nodes respectively, a revelation that emerged from recent documents.

In the gaming altcoin space, PYR stands out. Following the turbulence surrounding GALA, liquidity seems to be moving towards other gaming tokens, with PYR emerging as a strong contender and probably the closest counterpart. Deutscher praised its resilience and positive accumulation phase, hinting at its potential for growth. “Upon checking the PYR chart, we rarely see a token in such an extended/positive accumulation phase”, Deutcher remarked.

Another altcoin to watch is Maker (MKR). Currently, the community is abuzz with the news of their “End Game” initiative. Deutscher highlighted the project’s ambitious plans, including the proposal to launch their own native chain and move away from Ethereum. This move, however, has not been without controversy. “Vitalik obviously didn’t like it, as he sold his remaining MKR,” Deutscher mentioned, pointing to the Ethereum founder’s recent actions.

Sui Network (SUI) is another token that’s been performing well, with a 70% increase in its Total Value Locked (TVL) over the past month. Deutscher sees potential in SUI, hinting at its explosive growth when it gains momentum: “When SUI pumps, it pumps hard. Definitely not one I’m fading when it wakes up (from a price perspective).”

Short Solana (SOL)?

Lastly, Deutscher touched upon Solana (SOL), a high-performance blockchain platform, which has recently been the subject of much discussion and speculation in the crypto community. The analyst pointed out that there’s been “negative noise” building around Solana, particularly in relation to the upcoming FTX liquidations.

These liquidations have raised eyebrows due to the potential impact they could have on the token’s price. While some in the community believe that the effects of these unlocks and the eventual “forced selling” are already priced in, Deutscher suggests that the current lack of liquidity in the market might amplify the price fluctuations more than many expect.

The situation is further complicated by the involvement of Galaxy, who are responsible for handling the funds. They are scheduled to appear in court on September 13th to present a liquidation plan. The figures being discussed are significant, with potential liquidations of up to “$100m weekly, and up to $200m for select tokens.”

Despite these challenges, Deutscher remains strategically optimistic about Solana’s long-term prospects. He hinted at the possibility of adding to his long-term positions if a price correction occurs. However, he also noted that the current environment might present “interesting short opportunities” for those with a keen eye and a willingness to navigate the risks.

At press time, SOL traded at $19,22. After falling below the 50% Fibonacci level ($20.22), a deeper retracement to $17.33 could be on the cards.

Solana crypto price

Kava (KAVA) Price Rallies 10% In 7 Days – Here’s Why

KAVA, the native token associated with the Kava platform, has experienced a whirlwind week regarding its price swing. The token, which began the week trading around $1.03, surged to $1.23 on May 23, driven by positive news within its ecosystem. 

However, the bull momentum was short-lived, with the token recently experiencing a significant price correction. Nevertheless, at the time of writing, KAVA is up 10% and is one of the top gainers in the crypto market within this period. 

Kava has experienced a significant price correction this week; source @tradingview

What’s Behind The Recent Spike In Kava?

However, it is important to analyze the factors behind this rally to assess its sustainability. Cryptocurrencies are known for their price volatility, and sudden reversals are not uncommon. In the case of KAVA, the token experienced a swift downturn following the initial surge, raising concerns about the solidity of the upward movement. 

Related Reading: Bullish Case For Litecoin Grows Stronger As LTC Halving Draws Close

This pattern is often observed when a rapid rise lacks strong fundamental support, leading to a correction as the market adjusts itself. In terms of recent developments, it was reported that the Digital Asset Exchange Association (DAXA) in South Korea removed investment warnings on KAVA and WAVES, the latter being another digital asset associated with the Waves platform. 

The warnings had been issued due to concerns about stablecoins linked to these assets, which were found to be “not normally linked to 1 dollar”. However, after a thorough review, DAXA determined that the risks associated with KAVA and WAVES had been resolved, allowing South Korean exchanges to resume deposit services for these tokens. This news likely contributed to the positive sentiment surrounding KAVA and may have played a role in the recent price rally.

In addition, the launch of the Kava 13 mainnet and the introduction of GameFi (Game Finance) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to the Kava ecosystem have also contributed to the positive momentum for the KAVA token. These developments have attracted attention and interest from users, investors, and traders, potentially driving the token’s price higher.

What’s Next For KAVA?

The price surge experienced by KAVA stands out as an outlier within the broader context of the cryptocurrency market. Considering the overall outlook, such gains may not be sustainable, and a subsequent correction could erase the entirety of the upward movement.

Related Reading: Upcoming Interest Rate Hikes Could Be The Next Big Challenge For Bitcoin, Here’s Why

If the current levels near $1.20 fail to provide sufficient support, KAVA/USD might retreat towards the support level at $1.10 or even lower.

Kava currently trading below the $1.20 resistance mark: source @tradingview

However, on the other hand, if there is an overall uptick in the market sentiment or if there is fresh, positive news specific to KAVA, it could potentially lead to renewed buying interest and push the price toward a retest of the recent highs. At press time, KAVA sells at $1.134 per token with a slight 0.9% 24-hour increase.

-Featured image from Kava.io, charts from tradingview.com

KAVA Soars 31% This Week With Anticipation Of Mainnet Upgrade

KAVA, the utility token of decentralized blockchain Kava, has been on a strong bullish trend in the last few days. The cryptocurrency maintained this momentum despite the bearish market sentiment in the past week, garnering an impressive 31% price gain.

To end what was a largely positive week, a proposal to initiate the first phase of Kava Horizon was submitted by the Layer-1 ecosystem.

KAVA Price Overview

Recently, the KAVA token has been on a positive price rally, gaining more than 30% of its value in the last seven days. For long-term investors, this may be seen as some form of recovery, as the coin had not been performing well until a week ago.

To put this into perspective, the token has only increased by 1.6% in the past month. In fact, up until the 8th of May, the price of KAVA was on a steady decline, losing nearly 29% of its value in three weeks.

That said, an upward price movement that started a week ago has seen the token climb up to its previous high of $0.96. As of this writing, KAVA is valued at $0.969, tallying a 4.7% increase in 24 hours. 

KAVA

This latest price increase has been linked to the upcoming upgrade on the mainnet. Scheduled for 17th May, 2023 (15:00 UTC), the “Kava 13” upgrade aims to bring architectural enhancements to the security, scalability, and functionality of the network. Consequently, this will help developers to scale and accelerate their protocols and improve user experience across the ecosystem.

According to CoinGecko data, KAVA has a market capitalization of $495.5 million, which places it as the 90th largest cryptocurrency in the market. It is, however, worth noting that the token’s daily trading volume has dipped by 51.7% to $21.9 million in the last 24 hours.

Kava Submits Proposal To Initiate ‘Horizon’

On May 13, 2023, Kava advanced its plans to implement the first phase of the Kava Horizon. Codenamed “Proposal 141”, the proposal to initiate this change is now live for community voting. This proposal, if approved, will permanently end all emissions (including POS rewards, Rise rewards, grants, and other reward emissions) by December 31, 2023. 

However, before this is implemented, two independent foundations will be created to oversee the steady development and maintenance of the permissionless and decentralized blockchain. These two foundations will receive the bulk of emissions till they eventually cease at the end of the year. 

A future software upgrade – launched subsequent to proposal 141 – will control the flow of all accumulated rewards from the aforementioned foundations. 

The USDC Stablecoin Will Soon Expand Its Reach To 10 More Networks

The second biggest stablecoin by market capitalization is already a multi-blockchain project. Soon, though, USDC will live almost everywhere. According to Coindesk, it will soon be available in, “Avalanche, Celo, Flow, Hedera, Kava, Nervos, Polkadot, Stacks, Tezos, and Tron.” That will bring the total to 14; since USDC is already functional in Ethereum, Algorand, Stellar, and Solana.

The biggest stablecoin, Tether or USDT, is only available in 8 of those. Currently, the most used stablecoin is Tron’s version of USDT. 

Related Reading | Is USDC’s Billion Dollar Growth A Sign Crypto Smart Money Is Ditching Tether?

With that in mind, CENTRE said:

“We anticipate that USDC on these blockchain platforms and multichain protocols will further accelerate the use of the world’s fastest growing digital dollar currency.”

The consortium that runs USDC, CENTRE, is a joint venture between Coinbase and payments processor Circle. The information comes from, “a draft announcement from USDC administrator CENTRE obtained by CoinDesk.”

USDC market cap for 06/30/2016 - TradingView

USDC market capitalization | Source: TradingView.com

What Is USDC And How Does It Work?

For this, we have to go back to the academy. Coinzilla informs us:

USDC is one of the fastest-growing stablecoins pegged 1 to 1 to the US Dollar.

What is more remarkable is that Circle, the company that developed the stablecoin, is actually holding the amount of money required for backing the USDC in circulation. 

That’s definitely a shot at USDT. Tether’s audit and legal issues have been a topic of contention in the cryptocurrency community for a while now. Can they back all the Tether they’ve minted? A burning question that’s harder to answer than you’d think. 

For what is worth, USDC’s April independent audit is on the public record and says:

  • USD Coin (“USDC”) tokens issued and outstanding less tokens allowed but not issued (218,807,037) and less blacklisted tokens = 14,697,267,257 USDC  

  • US Dollars held in custody accounts are at least equal or greater than the USDC tokens outstanding at the Report Date and Time. 

Back to Coinzilla’s academy, the stablecoin’s characteristics are:

In essence, USD Coin is an ERC-20 token that functions through the Ethereum Network. Nowadays, USDC transactions can also be settled through Algorand, Solana, and Stellar’s infrastructures.

Since the launch of USDC 2.0, the payment process is simplified, the gas fees being paid directly in USDC. 

Related Reading | Circle’s Stablecoin USDC Passes Independent Audit, Fully Backed by USD

Stablecoins Are Supposed To Rule The USA in 2021

The official love affair between the US government and stablecoins started last January, when Jeremy Allaire from Circle announced that, “the largest US banking regulator with new guidance allowing US banks to use public blockchains and dollar stablecoins as a settlement infrastructure in the US financial system.” According to him, “Decentralized, permissionless, open source and internet mediated software is literally becoming the foundation for not just the US financial system but for the global economy.”

Recently, Randal K. Quarles, the Federal Reserve’s Vice Chair for Supervision, considerably raised the stakes:

In my judgment, we do not need to fear stablecoins. The Federal Reserve has traditionally supported responsible private-sector innovation. Consistent with this tradition, I believe that we must take strong account of the potential benefits of stablecoins, including the possibility that a U.S. dollar stablecoin might support the role of the dollar in the global economy. For example, a global U.S. dollar stablecoin network could encourage use of the dollar by making cross-border payments faster and cheaper, and it potentially could be deployed much faster and with fewer downsides than a CBDC.

Will stablecoins like USDC and USDT substitute the Digital Dollar project? Could they be an alternative to CBDCs? We’ll have to wait and see.

Featured Images by NeONBRAND on Unsplash - Charts by TradingView