Crypto markets are showing mixed behavior as 2026 begins. Monero price action has picked up speed, while Ethereum price movement is locked inside a narrow trading band. These different trends are changing how traders view the list of top crypto gainers, as many now compare fast-moving assets with projects that are still early in their launch phase.
As price swings tighten across several major coins, focus is shifting away from charts alone. Traders are now paying closer attention to access rules, reward systems, and how new networks allow users to take part.
This change in thinking has helped Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) move into the spotlight. Instead of using past price data, the project is drawing attention through its live presale auction, network rollout, and $5M giveaway, which together are changing how market leadership is being measured.
Monero Moves Upward as Privacy Coin Demand Grows
Recent Monero price movement has become one of the strongest trends in the current market. XMR climbed to fresh highs after clearing long-term resistance levels, supported by higher trading volume and renewed interest in privacy-based assets. This rally lifted Monero’s market value into the tens of billions, placing it among the top crypto gainers of the cycle so far.
Market data suggests that funds have rotated toward Monero as uncertainty rises around other privacy-focused networks. Chart patterns show a breakout from a long base period, with price now holding above major psychological zones. As the Monero price entered open territory, short pullbacks were met with steady buying, which helped support the upward trend.
Even with ongoing regulatory concerns in the background, current trading behavior shows that many participants are favoring liquidity and momentum. For now, Monero remains a key reference asset when discussing which coins are driving early 2026 performance.
Ethereum Trades Sideways as Market Activity Slows
Ethereum price action tells a different story. ETH continues to move within a tightening range, reflecting a pause after earlier gains. While the asset has stayed above short-term support levels, it has also failed to move past long-term resistance, leaving traders without a clear direction.
Volume data and momentum tools point to hesitation rather than strong selling pressure. Institutional buying that previously helped support ETH has cooled, and recent activity suggests balance instead of expansion. For those watching the Ethereum price, attention has shifted to whether resistance levels can be reclaimed or if the current range will remain in place.
This slowdown has affected ETH’s ranking among the top crypto gainers, as traders look elsewhere for stronger short-term stories. Ethereum still plays a major role in overall market stability, but its current position is more about support than leadership.
$5M Giveaway Brings Zero Knowledge Proof Into the Market Spotlight
While Monero price and Ethereum price reflect different stages of the market cycle, Zero Knowledge Proof has entered the discussion using a different strategy. Instead of relying on open-market price action, the project is offering access through a live presale auction that releases a fixed number of tokens every 24 hours.
Allocation is shared based on participation, and each auction window sets a reference price used across the network. This system adds structure and clarity at a time when many assets depend on short-term price swings.
At the core of the ecosystem are Proof Pods, plug-and-play devices priced at $249 that handle verified computing tasks. These devices process AI-related workloads and create cryptographic proofs, earning ZKP through real activity instead of passive holding.
Rewards are paid in ZKP and calculated using the previous day’s auction price, linking network output directly to compensation. Performance can be increased through software upgrades, allowing users to boost earnings without changing hardware. All usage data, output records, and rewards remain visible on-chain, supporting transparency.
The technology behind the network supports this setup. Zero Knowledge Proof runs on a base blockchain layer designed for AI processing and secure data exchange. It supports both EVM and WASM environments, which allows smart contracts and high-speed computing to operate together.
Verification relies on zk-SNARK and zk-STARK proofs, enabling data and task validation without exposing private inputs. A hybrid consensus system that rewards both computing and storage contributions helps balance network participation and decentralization.
Alongside the presale auction and hardware rollout, Zero Knowledge Proof is hosting a $5M USD giveaway through a live Gleam campaign. Ten winners will each receive $500,000 worth of ZKP, with entry based on holding a required amount of ZKP and completing specific engagement steps. The referral model offers 20% rewards to referrers and 10% to referred users, encouraging network growth through participation instead of token inflation.
Together, the presale auction design, Proof Pods system, incentive structure, and technical framework have moved Zero Knowledge Proof into discussions usually reserved for top crypto gainers, even while the project remains in its early access phase.
Final Thoughts
As Monero price continues to attract momentum-focused traders and Ethereum price remains in consolidation, the market is rethinking what leadership really means. In this setting, Zero Knowledge Proof’s presale auction, Proof Pods, and $5M giveaway have added a new factor to the top crypto gainers conversation.
Instead of competing through historical price performance, Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) is building attention through structure, open access, and participation tools. As investors become more selective with capital, this difference is gaining importance. Whether future leadership is shaped by momentum or by early access models, the spotlight is clearly expanding beyond traditional chart-based stories.
Explore Zero Knowledge Proof:
Website: https://zkp.com/
Auction: https://auction.zkp.com/
Telegram: https://t.me/ZKPofficial
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