The crypto space has evolved far beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum. While BTC and ETH remain foundational assets, forward-thinking investors are now turning their attention to emerging protocols, infrastructure projects, and innovative tokens with strong long-term potential.
In a recent viral post, renowned crypto influencer @Cobie posed a compelling question:
“If you had to invest in a liquid, non-speculative crypto asset for a 3–5 year horizon—and couldn’t choose BTC, ETH, SOL, stablecoins, or hype-driven memecoins—what would you pick, and why?”
The responses from top-tier KOLs, traders, and venture capitalists revealed a diverse yet strategic outlook on the future of digital assets. Below, we break down the most insightful picks, analyze the reasoning behind them, and explore how they align with broader market trends.
👉 Discover which crypto assets top traders are quietly accumulating for long-term growth.
Why Look Beyond BTC and ETH?
Bitcoin remains the digital gold standard, while Ethereum powers much of the decentralized ecosystem. But as the market matures, savvy investors recognize that value creation is shifting toward specialized layers: scalable blockchains, privacy solutions, real-world asset (RWA) integrations, and decentralized infrastructure.
With institutional adoption accelerating and macroeconomic conditions favoring digital transformation, the next 3–5 years will likely reward projects solving real problems—not just speculative narratives.
Let’s dive into what industry leaders are backing—and why.
Coinbase ($COIN): A Bridge Between TradFi and Crypto
Jesse.base.eth, lead of Base (Coinbase’s Layer 2), chose $COIN—not a token in the traditional sense, but an equity with deep crypto integration.
His rationale?
- Diversified product suite: From exchange services to wallet infrastructure and on-chain rails via Base.
- Market leadership: One of the most trusted brands in crypto with massive user scale.
- Execution power: Proven ability to launch and scale products rapidly in a volatile environment.
$COIN represents more than a stock—it's a proxy for mainstream crypto adoption. As regulatory clarity improves and Web3 onboarding accelerates, Coinbase is positioned to capture significant value.
👉 See how leading financial platforms are integrating blockchain technology today.
Worldcoin ($WLD): Identity in the Age of AI
Ansem, respected crypto trader and analyst, backed $WLD as a hedge against centralized AI control.
With OpenAI and global surveillance systems advancing rapidly, the need for verifiable human identity becomes critical. Worldcoin’s mission—to create a global, privacy-preserving digital identity using biometric proof-of-personhood—positions it at the intersection of AI ethics and decentralization.
Key advantages:
- Addresses post-AGI challenges: Who gets access to resources? How do we prevent AI impersonation?
- Tied to decentralized identity frameworks that could underpin future Web3 economies.
- Growing adoption across emerging markets.
In a world where digital presence defines economic rights, $WLD may become foundational infrastructure.
Starknet ($STRK): Scalability Meets Privacy
Auri, a seasoned crypto trader, highlighted Starknet as a high-conviction play on Ethereum scaling.
As a ZK-Rollup L2 on Ethereum:
- Competes with Solana in throughput (TPS) while maintaining Ethereum’s security.
- Offers advanced account abstraction (AA), enabling seamless UX innovations like smart wallets.
- Undervalued relative to peers—fully diluted valuation around $1B vs. $3B+ for Arbitrum/Optimism.
Three potential success paths:
- Become a general-purpose L2.
- Pioneer Bitcoin L2 settlement (if feasible), unlocking massive cross-chain demand.
- Serve as backend infrastructure for other chains.
For those who value decentralization and privacy, Starknet offers a compelling long-term thesis.
Jito ($JTO) & Zcash ($ZEC): Yield and Privacy Resurgence
Mert, founder of Helius Labs, named two distinct plays:
Jito ($JTO)
- Liquid staking derivative on Solana.
- If SOL continues to grow over 3–5 years (a strong bet), JTO captures yield and governance value from staked SOL.
- Early mover advantage in Solana’s DeFi stack.
Zcash ($ZEC)
- Privacy coin with renewed technical momentum.
- Upcoming redesign under a new research entity signals revival.
- Regulatory pressure on transparency may eventually boost demand for private transactions.
Together, they represent both yield efficiency and principled privacy—two enduring themes in crypto.
Chainlink ($LINK): The Invisible Backbone of On-Chain Realism
Fishy Catfish, a sharp observer of market dynamics, emphasized Chainlink as the most durable non-L1 play.
Why $LINK stands out:
- Dominates oracle markets with unmatched security and market share—stronger now than in 2021.
- Powers real-world asset (RWA) tokenization and stablecoin ecosystems through reliable data feeds.
Ahead of competitors in serving traditional finance (TradFi):
- Partnerships with SWIFT, DTCC, JPMorgan, ANZ, UBS.
- Upcoming Automatic Compliance Engine (ACE) for KYC/AML checks.
- Developing CCID, a cross-chain identity system.
- Full privacy suite: DECO (zkTLS), private CCIP transactions.
As blockchain integrates with legacy systems, Chainlink isn’t just participating—it’s leading.
$SPX: The Cultural Meme With Purpose
Murad made a bold call: $SPX, the so-called "Movement Coin."
Unlike typical memecoins, $SPX is framed as:
- A cultural rebellion by Gen Z against systemic economic stagnation.
- A digital refuge amid rising job insecurity and loss of meaning.
- Comparable to how Bitcoin challenged gold—but aimed at democratizing equity markets.
- Inspired by events like the GameStop (GME) saga.
While speculative, its narrative power lies in blending finance with identity—a trend that could resonate deeply in socially driven markets.
Diversified Layer 1 Portfolio: A Balanced Approach
Alex Svanevik, CEO of Nansen, advocates building a diversified L1 portfolio:
BTC + ETH + HYPE + SOL + BNB, SUI, APT, TRX, AVAX
Strategy highlights:
- Covers established players and emerging contenders.
- All assets staked for ~4.5% annual yield.
- Balances risk across ecosystems with different tech approaches.
This approach prioritizes exposure over concentration, acknowledging that no single chain will dominate all use cases.
Final Thoughts From Top Traders
Other notable mentions:
- Awawat (APG Capital): Favors $BNB, $LEO, $AAVE, $MKR, $XMR—assets with low downside and staying power.
- Arthur (DeFiance Capital): Backs $AAVE, $ENA, $PENDLE, $JUP—DeFi primitives capturing value through yield and composability.
- Vance Spencer (Framework Ventures): Quietly bullish on $SKY (currently not on CEXs), hinting at under-the-radar innovation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I really expect long-term returns from non-BTC/ETH assets?
A: Yes—while BTC and ETH offer stability, mid-cap projects with clear utility (like Chainlink or Starknet) can deliver outsized returns if they capture key infrastructure roles.
Q: Is investing in equity-linked assets like $COIN allowed in crypto portfolios?
A: While not a crypto token per se, $COIN gives exposure to the crypto ecosystem’s growth. It’s increasingly seen as a hybrid asset—ideal for regulated environments.
Q: Are privacy coins like Zcash or Monero still viable long-term?
A: Despite regulatory scrutiny, privacy remains a core need. Projects adapting with合规-compliant zero-knowledge solutions are likely to survive—and thrive.
Q: What makes $LINK different from other oracle networks?
A: Chainlink leads in enterprise adoption, security track record, and feature depth—including cross-chain interoperability and privacy-preserving proofs.
Q: Should I worry about memecoins like $SPX being too risky?
A: Absolutely. They’re highly speculative. However, when tied to real cultural movements (like GME or Occupy Wall Street), they can reflect deeper societal shifts worth monitoring.
Q: How important is staking yield in long-term holding decisions?
A: Yield enhances compounding returns. For established protocols like AVAX or BNB, staking adds meaningful upside without increasing risk significantly.
The next wave of crypto value won’t come solely from new coins—it will emerge from infrastructure, identity, privacy, and real-world integration. These picks reflect a maturing market where fundamentals matter more than hype.
Whether you're drawn to scalable L2s like Starknet or identity plays like Worldcoin, one thing is clear: the future of crypto is being built now—and these leaders are already placing their bets.
👉 Start exploring high-potential blockchain projects before the next bull run gains momentum.