**Crypto Market Update: Ethereum Gains Strength, Chainlink Struggles, ZKP Emerges as New Contender**

As 2026 kicks off, the crypto market is showing a clear shift in behavior. Instead of chasing quick price spikes, traders and investors are now looking for projects with strong foundations, long-term potential, and solid participation. Let’s break down what’s happening with Ethereum, Chainlink, and a rising newcomer—Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP).

—

**Ethereum Attracts Institutional Investors Through ETFs**

Ethereum continues to stand out by gaining serious attention from large investors. In mid-January, Ethereum ETFs pulled in $479 million in just one week—reversing the outflows from the previous week. BlackRock’s ETHA ETF led the charge, bringing in nearly half of those inflows.

These steady inflows pushed total Ethereum ETF assets above $20 billion, with weekly trading volume hitting $7.74 billion. While Ethereum’s price still reacts to the broader market, this kind of institutional support shows growing long-term confidence.

Compared to Bitcoin ETFs, which brought in $1.42 billion during the same period, Ethereum is solidifying its role as the second key crypto asset for institutions. For those wondering what the best crypto to buy now is, Ethereum’s strong backing makes it a clear candidate.

—

**Chainlink Trades Cautiously with Weak Momentum**

Chainlink (LINK), on the other hand, is moving more cautiously. The price is hovering around $12.60 and remains below all major moving averages—20-day, 50-day, and 200-day. This signals that sellers are still in control over the short, mid, and long term.

Despite the recent launch of the Grayscale Chainlink Trust ETF, LINK hasn’t shown much improvement in its price pattern. Technical indicators like RSI and ADX show low demand and oversold conditions, but there’s no strong sign of a reversal yet.

Resistance is sitting near $13.20, while support remains thin just above $12.20. Until LINK can break past that $13.20 resistance and hold it, traders are staying cautious rather than jumping in aggressively.

—

**Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP): A New Crypto Built on Real Participation**

While some cryptos stall or move sideways, Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) is attracting attention for its focus on real-world use and infrastructure rather than short-term price action.

At the heart of ZKP’s system are “Proof Pods”—hardware devices that do verifiable AI computations for the network. About $17 million worth of these devices have already been deployed. These Pods earn ZKP tokens by completing tasks, with rewards based on daily auction prices. This model links token distribution directly to useful work being done on the network.

ZKP also runs a daily on-chain presale auction where 190 million tokens are distributed based on how much participants contribute. There are no fixed prices or private deals—just transparent daily auctions that set the token’s value.

On the tech side, ZKP is a Layer-1 blockchain that supports both EVM (Ethereum Virtual Machine) and WASM (WebAssembly), making it compatible with Ethereum apps and powerful enough for AI tasks. It uses zero-knowledge proofs to verify results without revealing sensitive data, offering trust through math instead of middlemen.

—

**Key Takeaways**

– **Ethereum** is pulling ahead thanks to strong ETF inflows and institutional confidence. It remains one of the most reliable cryptos for long-term investors.
– **Chainlink** is trading defensively with weak momentum despite ETF support. Until it breaks key resistance levels, traders are staying on the sidelines.
– **Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP)** is carving out its own path by focusing on participation and infrastructure. Its Proof Pods and daily auctions make it stand out during a time when many investors are looking beyond just price charts.

In this new phase of the market, leadership isn’t about who moves the fastest—it’s about who builds with purpose. As more investors look for the best crypto to buy now, they’re starting to favor projects that deliver value through contribution and technology rather than hype alone.

—

**Explore Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP)**

– Website: https://zkp.com/
– Daily Auction: http://buy.zkp.com/
– Twitter/X: https://x.com/ZKPofficial
– Telegram: https://t.me/ZKPofficial

—

*Disclaimer: This content is not investment advice. Always do your own research before making any investment decisions.*