As 2025 progresses, Ethereum and Solana, two of the most discussed cryptocurrencies from the last cycle, are showing worrying signs of stagnation. Solana (SOL), which had been steadily rising to near $180 earlier this year, has recently changed direction, losing 15% and falling below the important $150 barrier.
Once a sign of fast transaction speeds and low fees, Solana now appears to be running out of steam, lingering near historical support levels that have caused significant recoveries in the past but don’t promise anything this time.
Source: Tradingview
Ethereum (ETH) isn’t faring much better. After failing to sustain support at $2,724, ETH dropped nearly 9% in just two days, dipping dangerously close to its 50-day EMA at $2,429. Should it lose this level, the next stop could be as low as $2,000—a sobering prospect for holders hoping for a bullish continuation.
Source: Tradingview
While the giants flounder, an undercurrent of low-cap contenders is gaining strength. These projects are not just cheaper alternatives—they’re demonstrating stronger momentum, better fundamentals, and more innovative use cases than the aging titans. For investors seeking to position themselves ahead of the next wave, these seven coins, all under $10, offer more compelling upside potential than Ethereum and Solana combined.
Little Pepe (LILPEPE)—A Meme Coin With Layer-2 Muscle
Emerging from the chaos of meme mania and blockchain congestion is Little Pepe ($LILPEPE)—a project that combines the viral energy of memes with the technical sophistication of a Layer 2 network. But don’t let the meme roots fool you—LILPEPE is engineered to be more than internet fun.
Built as a next-generation Ethereum Layer-2 solution, $LILPEPE boasts ultra-low fees, lightning-fast finality, and a tax-free trading model. It’s backed by a playful yet strategic roadmap that includes major marketing campaigns, CEX listings, and the rollout of its own Layer-2 EVM chain. With 26.5% of its 100 billion total supply reserved for presale buyers, early adopters have a sizable stake in the project’s future.
Currently in Stage 2 of its presale, with over $870,000 already raised, LILPEPE is priced at just $0.0011 per token, backed by strong community hype and a viral $777,000 giveaway campaign in full swing. This isn’t just another frog coin—this is the birth of the Golden Meme Age, where $LILPEPE aims to conquer both meme culture and blockchain utility.
Ripple (XRP)—Waiting for the Breakout That Could Shock the Market
Trading at $2.05, XRP is holding steady after a staggering 600% rally from late 2024. The project’s new stablecoin, RLUSD, has already grown from a $310 million to a $450 million market cap in a matter of weeks—an impressive feat that indicates rising institutional and retail interest.
Technical indicators suggest a tightening coil pattern, with XRP preparing for a potential breakout above $2.60. If breached, analysts believe the next leg up could be explosive, putting the elusive $10 target within striking distance during this cycle.
Source: Tradingview
With growing utility, strong support from Ripple’s ecosystem, and increasing stablecoin adoption, XRP continues to show it’s more than just a cross-border payment token—it could be the silent juggernaut of 2025.
Cardano (ADA)—Bullish Flag Signals a $1.00 Target
Trading just under $0.70, Cardano (ADA) is forming a textbook bullish flag—a technical setup that often precedes strong upward continuation. Analysts are now eyeing a breakout toward $0.90 and potentially $2.00–$3.10 in the coming weeks.
Source: Tradingview
But it’s not just technical. Cardano’s $1.2B treasury, now the fifth-largest in crypto, provides unmatched financial firepower for development and ecosystem growth. With strong on-chain metrics and a growing DeFi ecosystem, ADA is showing signs of being heavily undervalued in the current market cycle.
Sui (SUI)—A Layer-1 With High-Speed Ambitions
At a current price of $3.44, Sui has broken out of a descending channel and is now testing resistance at $3.2944. Its daily trading volume sits at a robust $1.67 billion, with a market cap exceeding $8 billion. Analysts predict that if it breaks through the all-time high of $5.35, it could rise to $5 to $8 in December. This is because of a golden cross pattern and bullish momentum. If the price breaks above $4.117, the adventure may begin.
Source: Tradingview
Backed by solid infrastructure and ambitious technical goals, Sui is positioning itself as a scalable alternative to bloated Layer-1 networks.
Bonk (BONK)—A Meme Coin With Real Technical Structure
While many meme coins rely solely on community hype, Bonk is blending that excitement with solid technicals. Recently breaking out above $0.000017, Bonk is forming a bullish falling wedge—a classic signal of a trend reversal. The RSI remains neutral at 43, providing room for a potential run, while the MACD indicates a bullish crossover. Volume has spiked to $160 million, although open interest has dipped, indicating that spot traders are leading the charge.
Source: Tradingview
With resistance at $0.0000195 and strong support at $0.000017, BONK is on the edge of either a powerful breakout or a rare opportunity to accumulate before it happens.
Stellar (XLM)—The Quiet Performer With Exploding On-Chain Metrics
Often overlooked, Stellar is showing serious signs of awakening. Its TVL recently hit an all-time high of $97.7 million, and stablecoin activity is booming, with the XLM network supporting over $650 million in stablecoins.
Currently near $0.255, XLM is poised for a breakout above its descending trendline. If it clears the 100-day EMA at $0.283, it could rally toward $0.356 and beyond. With a daily RSI reading of 53 and a bullish MACD crossover, XLM is entering the early phases of a new uptrend—quietly, but powerfully.
Source: Tradingview
TRON (TRX)—A 7-Year Breakout Pattern Inches Closer to Resolution
TRON is sitting just beneath a 7-year breakout neckline, and it’s one of the few coins showing long-term structural strength. The formation of a Volatility Contraction Pattern (VCP) on the weekly chart indicates compression that could precede a monster move. Holding above its 200 EMA on the 4-hour chart and bouncing within an ascending channel, TRX looks primed to retest the $0.295–$0.30 zone.
Backing up the technicals are some jaw-dropping fundamentals: TRON handled over $694 billion in USDT transfers in June alone, with more than $411 billion in transactions involving large amounts.
Source: Tradingview
This level of stablecoin utility makes TRON a genuine contender as a transactional Layer 1 and a low-cost bet on future DeFi dominance.
Final Thoughts: Rethinking Portfolio Strategy in 2025
Ethereum and Solana will always be important in the history of crypto, but their finest days may be behind them, at least for this cycle. The smart money is moving toward smaller, faster, and more inventive ventures as we look to the future. This is especially true for projects with interesting stories, strong communities, and technical advantages. The next generation of market winners is already taking shape.
Most of them are currently trading for less than $10, ranging from meme coins with Layer 2 scalability, such as Little Pepe, to sound assets like Cardano and TRON, which are fundamentally sound. For the savvy investor, waiting for ETH and SOL to “come back” may mean missing the wave that’s already building. The smarter move might be to follow where the real growth is heading—into projects that blend technical innovation with cultural momentum.
Because in 2025, holding onto the old guard may no longer be the safe play. The future is faster, funnier, and far more fertile than anything Ethereum or Solana can currently offer. And if you’re just hearing about $LILPEPE, don’t blink—because this little frog is ready to leap where others crawl.
For more information about Little Pepe (LILPEPE) visit the links below:
Website: https://littlepepe.com
Whitepaper: https://littlepepe.com/whitepaper.pdf
Telegram: https://t.me/littlepepetoken
Twitter/X: https://x.com/littlepepetoken
