Introduction: A Wild Ride in Crypto Last Year

2025 was a year full of surprises in the cryptocurrency world. While big names like Bitcoin and Ethereum saw their prices drop, some lesser-known coins shot up by huge margins. These underdogs grabbed the spotlight and delivered massive gains for early investors.

In this post, we dive into the . We’ll look at Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Zcash (ZEC), Monero (XMR), Pax Gold (PAXG), and MYX Finance (MYX). They posted stunning returns, but the big question is: can they keep the momentum going into ?

We’ll break down what made each one explode, their current state, and what might happen next. If you’re wondering which of these could be worth watching for your portfolio, read on.

1. Bitcoin Cash (BCH): The Bitcoin Spinoff That Outshone Its Parent

Bitcoin Cash started as a fork of Bitcoin back in 2017. It’s designed for faster and cheaper transactions. In 2025, BCH jumped more than 30% in value. That’s impressive, especially since Bitcoin itself fell by about 5% over the year.

Why did this happen? BCH gained traction in places where people needed quick payments without high fees. Some developers built new apps on its network, boosting demand. But history shows Bitcoin usually wins long-term. BCH has lagged behind for years.

2026 Outlook: Don’t bet on another big run. As Bitcoin stabilizes or rebounds, BCH might follow but not lead. It’s a solid pick for payments, but expect modest growth at best.

2. Zcash (ZEC): Privacy Coin Goes Ballistic with 782% Gains

Privacy coins like Zcash use special tech called zero-knowledge proofs. This hides transaction details while proving they’re valid. In 2025, ZEC rocketed 782% – one of the hottest performances in crypto.

The surge came from growing worries about data privacy. Governments and hackers track blockchain activity easily on public chains. Zcash offers a shield, attracting users who value anonymity.

But here’s the catch: ZEC is already down 17% early in 2026. Regulators often target privacy coins, which could cap their growth.

2026 Outlook: The hype might fade. Triple-digit gains are rare to repeat. It’s great for privacy fans, but average investors may want to look elsewhere.

3. Monero (XMR): Another Privacy Star with 122% Surge

Monero is the king of privacy coins. It uses ring signatures and stealth addresses to make every transaction untraceable. Last year, XMR climbed 122%, riding the same privacy wave as Zcash.

What sets Monero apart? It’s battle-tested and widely used in darknet markets and by folks dodging surveillance. Demand spiked as blockchain analysis tools got better.

Still, like Zcash, it faces headwinds. Exchanges sometimes delist it due to compliance issues.

2026 Outlook: Solid tech, but regulatory risks loom large. It could hold steady, but explosive growth seems unlikely.

4. Pax Gold (PAXG): Gold-Backed Stablecoin Rides the Precious Metal Boom

Pax Gold is a stablecoin backed by real gold. Each token equals one troy ounce, stored in vaults. With gold prices soaring nearly 70% in 2025, PAXG matched it exactly.

Why the gold rush? Economic uncertainty, inflation fears, and global tensions pushed investors to safe havens. Crypto users loved having gold exposure without physical storage hassles.

Unlike volatile meme coins, PAXG tracks a real asset. It’s one of the few winners with a clear fundamental driver.

2026 Outlook: Very bullish. If gold keeps climbing amid uncertainty, PAXG should too. This is the standout from the list for carrying momentum.

5. MYX Finance (MYX): The Meme-Worthy Pump and Dump Story

MYX Finance launched as a decentralized futures exchange in May 2025. It traded flat at first, then exploded in September-October, hitting $19 – a 3,700% yearly gain.

Hype from traders and social media fueled the pump. But reality hit hard: it’s now down 70% from peak, trading around $5.

This is classic crypto volatility. Late buyers got burned, while early holders cashed out big.

2026 Outlook: Risky bet. Without real adoption, it could fade. Avoid chasing momentum like this.

Why Did Majors Like Bitcoin and Ethereum Lag in 2025?

To understand the winners, look at the losers. Bitcoin and Ethereum dropped amid:

Macro pressures: High interest rates hurt risk assets.
Regulatory news: SEC actions spooked markets.
Shift to niches: Investors chased high-yield alts over blue chips.

2026 could flip this. Bitcoin halvings and ETF inflows might spark a rebound.

Investment Lessons from the 2025 Winners

Diversify: Don’t pile into one hot coin. Spread risk.
Fundamentals matter: PAXG wins because gold is real value.
Avoid FOMO: MYX shows timing the top is nearly impossible.
Long-term hold: HODL beats trading for most.
Watch macros: Gold and privacy trends tie to world events.

For 2026, PAXG looks strongest. Privacy coins have niche appeal. BCH and MYX are wild cards.

Final Thoughts: Picking Winners for 2026

The proved you don’t need Bitcoin to win big. But repeating success is tough. Focus on assets with real use cases like gold exposure or privacy.

Do your research, never invest more than you can lose, and stay updated on market shifts. Which of these will shine in ? Only time will tell – but PAXG has my vote.

What do you think? Share in the comments!

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Disclaimer: Blockmanity is a news portal and does not provide any financial advice. Blockmanity’s role is to inform the cryptocurrency and blockchain community about what’s going on in this space. Please do your own due diligence before making any investment. Blockmanity won’t be responsible for any loss of funds.

The post 5 Top Crypto Winners of 2025: Will BCH, Zcash, Monero, PAXG, and MYX Lead the Charge into 2026? appeared first on Blockmanity.

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Filed under: Altcoins - @ January 11, 2026 9:34 pm