Bitcoin and Two Dark Horses Poised to Lead Crypto Market Rally

A new crypto bull market is expected to emerge in the coming quarters, and three coins could lead the charge. Bitcoin (BTC) has already risen by 27% from its bear market bottom on June 30 to reach a price of $78,558 as of September 14. This growth is being driven by institutional investors and flows, with Bitcoin ETF inflows reaching over $55.6 billion.

Historically, crypto market cycles follow a particular script: Bitcoin rallies off its bear market lows, then stalls while other major coins run before climbing again. The current market appears to be following this pattern, with positioning tilting towards smaller coins in late August 2026 and capital flowing into U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds.

Zcash (ZEC) is one of the top 25 cryptocurrencies that are priced above their pre-bull market peak levels, and its price has risen to $1,207.09 as of September 14. Its unique features, including optional transaction privacy and a 21 million coin supply cap, make it an attractive store of value for investors seeking to protect their funds from potential expropriation.

Hyperliquid (HYPE) is another decentralized crypto exchange that's likely to be a leader in this market cycle due to its innovative features, including automatic buybacks of its token and the ability to launch new markets without using its own capital. Despite competition from rival exchanges Aster and Lighter, Hyperliquid has demonstrated staying power with a 66% share of on-chain perpetual contract trading.