The crypto market is off to a strong start in 2026, with the total global market cap hitting $3.32 trillion. Bitcoin continues to lead with a 57% market dominance, while Ethereum and Monero are showing exciting growth. Ethereum just reached a record 35.9 million ETH staked, and Monero hit an all-time high of $798 before a minor dip. But with these big names already so expensive, many are asking: where’s the next big opportunity?

Experts are now turning their attention to Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP), a privacy-focused blockchain designed for secure AI processing. This new project is catching major attention because it’s offering something rare—huge growth potential and real-world utility. Analysts call it the top crypto to buy right now because it’s still early, and they predict a 7000x return from current levels.

ZKP is built for privacy and performance. It’s not just another idea on paper—it already has a live four-layer blockchain and physical hardware called Proof Pods. These Pods are real devices that users can buy for $249 and use to earn up to $300 a day by completing computational tasks. Big names like the Miami Dolphins are already using this technology.

What makes ZKP different is its massive early investment—over $100 million in infrastructure was funded before launch. That means most of the risk is already taken care of, making this a safer bet than most new coins.

Right now, ZKP is entering Phase 2 of its rollout. This phase comes with some big changes: the daily coin supply drops from 200 million to 190 million, and any unsold coins are permanently destroyed through a burn system. This creates strong scarcity, which usually leads to price increases. Researchers call this moment the “Golden Gap”—a short window where the coin is undervalued compared to its future potential.

With fewer coins entering circulation and demand rising fast, many investors see ZKP as a once-in-a-decade chance to get in before the price explodes. The project is expected to reach a $1.7 billion valuation as more users adopt its AI and privacy tools.

Meanwhile, Ethereum continues to show strong momentum. It recently doubled its monthly active users from 4 million to 8 million and hit a record 2.8 million daily transactions. This growth is being driven by stablecoin use and lower transaction fees. Institutional money is also flowing in—one wallet linked to analyst Tom Lee just bought $80 million worth of ETH. Even Belgian bank KBC is now offering Ethereum trading to everyday users.

On the tech side, Ethereum’s upcoming Glamsterdam upgrade is expected to supercharge performance by increasing transaction speed from 21 to 10,000 per second using parallel processing. With nearly $120 billion worth of ETH now staked, confidence in Ethereum’s future remains sky-high.

Monero also made headlines after reaching a new high of $798, driven by increased demand for private and untraceable transactions. Even after dipping to $583, it remains one of the most resilient privacy coins out there. Monero’s technology keeps every transaction hidden by default, which helps it avoid regulatory crackdowns that affect other coins. Its recent software upgrade has also improved hardware wallet support and fixed bugs, making it even easier to use.

As we move into 2026, the crypto landscape is seeing strong gains from major players like Ethereum and Monero. But for those looking for high-growth opportunities, ZKP stands out as the top crypto to watch. With real utility, engineered scarcity, and huge upside potential, it could be the breakout investment of the year.

Now is the time to act before Phase 2 fully kicks in and prices begin to climb rapidly. Investors who move early may position themselves for massive returns in the coming months.