Beyond Bitcoin: Three Altcoins Gaining Momentum in Early February 2026
February 2026 opens with a fragmented cryptocurrency landscape. While broader indices waver, a handful of alternative tokens are carving their own paths, driven by specific catalysts that could define their short-term trajectories.
Analysts are zeroing in on three such assets where technical upgrades, unique market behavior, and robust capital flows are creating pockets of activity worth monitoring.
Zilliqa (ZIL): Banking on a Network Overhaul
All eyes are on the Zilliqa network this week as it prepares to implement its "Cancun" upgrade via a hard fork. This significant mainnet enhancement promises to boost communication speeds and provide more granular control over network operations—a move widely anticipated to rekindle developer and investor interest.
Technically, ZIL is navigating a descending channel. A successful upgrade could fuel a demand surge, potentially propelling the price from a key support near $0.0039. For traders, a confirmed bullish reversal would require a decisive break above $0.0045, backed by a notable spike in trading volume. However, the token remains vulnerable to broader market sentiment; a break below $0.0036 could signal a deeper correction and delay recovery prospects.
HYPE: Defying the Broader Trend
In a week where most decentralized exchange (DEX) tokens struggled, HYPE emerged as a clear outlier, posting a 34% gain. Currently hovering around $30.01, it is testing a crucial resistance level at $30.84.
Its strength appears partly tied to an unusual -0.49 correlation with Bitcoin, meaning it has largely moved independently of BTC's recent declines. This decoupling has allowed HYPE to build its own momentum. Sustained demand could see it challenge the $34.31 level next. The risk lies in a wave of profit-taking; a drop below $26.82 would undermine its current structure and likely trigger a test of the 50-day Exponential Moving Average.
CC: Riding a Wave of Consistent Inflows
CC stands out for its remarkable consistency. The token has charted a steady two-week rally, climbing nearly 30% in the past seven days alone and notching its third consecutive all-time high at $0.195.
Trading around $0.184, the Chaikin Money Flow indicator remains firmly in positive territory, signaling strong and sustained capital inflows. This technical setup suggests the momentum could continue, with a push toward $0.215 being the next logical target. The bullish thesis would only be threatened if support at $0.176 gives way, potentially opening the door for a pullback toward $0.155.
Market Voices: A Split on Strategy
Marcus Chen, Portfolio Manager at Vertex Digital Assets: "This is a classic case of idiosyncratic drivers outweighing macro sentiment. Zilliqa's upgrade is a fundamental positive, while HYPE's correlation data is a quant trader's dream. These are the specific stories active managers look for in a noisy market."
Anya Petrova, Independent Crypto Analyst: "The focus on these micro-moves feels myopic. We're seeing sector-wide fragility, and chasing a 34% pump in a DEX token or hoping a single upgrade will reverse a downtrend is gambling, not investing. This is how retail gets burned."
David Park, Founder of 'The Altcoin Ledger' Newsletter: "CC's price action is the most telling—consistent buying pressure in this environment is rare. It suggests deep conviction from a cohort of investors, likely based on something beyond just charts. That's worth paying attention to."
Riley Hayes, Retail Investor: "Everyone's talking about 'safe bets' and 'structure.' I just saw HYPE go up while everything else was red. Sometimes it's that simple. I'm in, but I've got my stop-loss set tight."
This analysis is based on market data and technical indicators as of February 1, 2026. Cryptocurrency investments are volatile and high-risk.