The crypto market is seeing a fresh rotation into niche sectors, with certain low- to mid-cap projects attracting outsized attention from traders and analysts.
Based on CoinMarketCap’s data, which blends news flow, social sentiment, and price action – three tokens have emerged as standouts: Taiko, AS Roma Fan Token, and Pendle. Each is riding its own set of catalysts, from upcoming upgrades to institutional accumulation, creating opportunities for momentum traders in the current market.
Taiko (TAIKO) – ZK-Rollup Hype Meets Layer-2 Rotation
Taiko has surged 14.93% in the past 24 hours and 18.55% over the past week, with daily trading volume spiking 784% to $96.66 million. As an Ethereum-equivalent ZK-Rollup, Taiko is gaining attention for its upcoming “based preconfirmations” upgrade, promising 2-second transaction finality, set to launch on August 11. The integration of RISC Zero’s zkVM is also boosting confidence in its technical edge.
Social media engagement is up 205% month-over-month, with the project’s Twitter follower count now exceeding 900,000. While its $86.56 million market cap keeps it in low-liquidity territory, early-stage Layer-2 plays often attract speculative bursts during upgrade cycles.
Key watch: Node upgrades and DAO governance rollout by August 11 will be critical in sustaining momentum.
AS Roma Fan Token (ASR) – Sports Crypto Ignites Small-Cap Frenzy
The AS Roma Fan Token exploded 53.89% in the past day, trading at $7.86 and logging a staggering 247.53% gain over the past month. This rally has coincided with a broad altcoin rotation into small caps and a Binance Futures listing, which amplified liquidity and leveraged speculation.
The token’s 90-day trading volume is up 360%, reflecting renewed interest in sports-linked blockchain assets. However, fundamentals remain closely tied to AS Roma’s real-world football performance, making it a high-risk momentum play.
Key watch: Profit-taking pressure is likely near the $8 resistance zone, with its all-time high at $9.44 (May 2025).
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Pendle (PENDLE) – DeFi Yield Leader Attracts Institutional Flows
Pendle, a decentralized yield protocol, has jumped 20.07% in the past day and nearly 48% in the past month, reaching $5.31. The project now commands a $887.77 million market cap, underpinned by $5.2 billion in total value locked (TVL). Much of this comes from the surging adoption of Ethena’s USDe stablecoin, which accounts for 60% of Pendle’s TVL.
An Arca-linked wallet’s $8.3 million accumulation in June signaled growing institutional interest. Pendle’s model, generating sustainable revenue from a 5% fee on Principal Tokens, positions it as a standout in the yield-bearing DeFi sector.
Key watch: The upcoming Boros upgrade in Q3 2025 will introduce margin trading, potentially unlocking a new wave of demand.
Conclusion
While Taiko, AS Roma Fan Token, and Pendle are each riding strong bullish catalysts, traders should weigh the risks – especially in low-cap and high-volatility plays. Sustaining these gains will depend on how well upcoming upgrades, exchange listings, and institutional activity convert into long-term adoption.
Kosta Gushterov
Kosta has been working in the crypto industry for over 4 years. He strives to present different perspectives on a given topic and enjoys the sector for its transparency and dynamism. In his work, he focuses on balanced coverage of events and developments in the crypto space, providing information to his readers from a neutral perspective.
Tags: stablecoin