Which Altcoins Could Outperform Bitcoin in 2026?

Core Insights - Bitcoin's 2025 rally sets a high benchmark, but altcoins are showing potential momentum that may extend into 2026 [2] - Large-cap crypto projects are experiencing price momentum and network upgrades that could enable them to outperform Bitcoin in 2026 [3] Ethereum (ETH): Institutional Upgrades Boost Demand - Ethereum rallied 66% in Q3 2025, nearing $5,000, driven by institutional demand and the upcoming "Fusaka" scaling upgrade [5][6] - Standard Chartered forecasts Ethereum could reach $8,000 by 2026, citing increased demand from gaming and asset tokenization [7] - The "Fusaka" upgrade aims to reduce fees and enhance transaction throughput, reinforcing Ethereum's position in decentralized finance [6] Solana (SOL): High-Speed Blockchain Coming of Age - Solana achieved a 35% gain in the last quarter, supported by significant institutional buying and record ecosystem revenue [9] - Major asset managers, including Fidelity, Invesco, and Grayscale, have filed for the first spot Solana ETFs, which could attract mainstream inflows if approved [10] - A $1.65 billion treasury fund has been established to buy and stake SOL, reflecting a strategy similar to that which propelled Bitcoin's 2024 growth [10]