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If you’re asking “which crypto to buy for the next bull run” right now, you’re probably feeling the same FOMO I felt back in 2020. I’ve been through two full cycles (2017 and 2021), and let me tell you: buying the right coins at the right time isn’t about luck. It’s about understanding narratives, on-chain metrics, and – most importantly – personal conviction. I’m not a financial advisor, but I’ve made my fair share of mistakes. Here’s my honest shortlist for the next crypto bull run, based on what I’ve actually done with my own portfolio.

Warning: Crypto is volatile. I still hold bags that are 80% down from ATH. Only invest what you can afford to lose. This article reflects my personal experience, not guaranteed returns.

My Criteria for Choosing Bull Run Crypto

Before jumping into specific coins, let me share the three filters I use:

  • Strong narrative that can survive a hype cycle – For example, “Ethereum killer” was hot in 2021; now it’s “Real World Assets (RWAs)” and “DePIN”.
  • Active development and real users – I check daily active addresses (DAA) and transaction volume on sites like Artemis.
  • Institutional interest – If venture funds like a16z or Coinbase Ventures are backing a project, that’s a signal. But I also look for retail buzz on Reddit and Discord.

I used to chase low-cap coins with fancy whitepapers. Now I stick to projects I can understand in under 30 minutes.

Bitcoin (BTC) – The Safe Bet for the Next Bull Run

I know, boring. But look at the chart: every cycle, Bitcoin leads the charge. The halving event (which already happened) historically triggers a 12–18 month rally. Plus, ETFs brought in billions from institutions. I personally allocate 40% of my crypto portfolio to Bitcoin. It’s the one asset I don’t overthink.

Why I’m bullish on BTC this cycle

  • New ATHs above $73k already broken – momentum is real.
  • Adoption as digital gold is accelerating (El Salvador, corporate treasuries).
  • Liquidity is king during a bull run. You can enter/exit any time with minimal slippage.

If you’re risk-averse, Bitcoin is your answer to “which crypto to buy for the next bull run”.

Ethereum (ETH) – The Infrastructure Powerhouse

Ethereum is like the internet of crypto. I held ETH from $400 to $4,800 in the last bull run, and I’m adding more now. The shift to proof-of-stake made it deflationary, and Layer 2s are solving the fee problem. What I love: the developer ecosystem is unmatched. Every cool project – DeFi, NFTs, RWAs – eventually settles on Ethereum.

What to watch

  • Dencun upgrade in March 2024 cut Layer 2 fees dramatically.
  • Ethereum ETF approvals (though delayed) will open floodgates.
  • Staking yields (~3-4%) give passive income while you wait.

One nitpick: ETH has underperformed BTC this cycle. But I see that as a buying opportunity. Patience pays.

Solana (SOL) – The Speed Monster

Solana was my biggest mistake in 2022 when I sold near $20 out of fear. Now it’s one of my biggest holdings. The network survived the FTX crash and came back stronger. Transaction fees are

Why SOL deserves a spot

  • Breakpoint conference and DePIN projects (Helium, Hivemapper) are bringing real adoption.
  • Breakout from the “Ethereum killer” narrative into its own lane (payments, gaming).
  • Strong community and developer activity – I check Solana Compass regularly.

Risks: network outages (though rare now). I cap SOL at 20% of my portfolio.

Layer 2s (ARB, OP) – Scaling Ethereum

If you think Ethereum will dominate, you need exposure to its layer 2s. Arbitrum (ARB) and Optimism (OP) are the leaders. I hold both. Arbitrum has the most TVL ($2.5B+), but Optimism has the Superchain vision that could unify L2s. My personal preference: slight overweight on Arbitrum because its ecosystem is bigger.

What I look for in L2 tokens

  • Revenue generation: Arbitrum earned $40M+ in fees last quarter.
  • Token utility: both ARB and OP are governance tokens, but future use cases (like staking) might boost value.
  • Narrative of “Ethereum scaling” will get hot during mempool congestion in a bull run.

I also keep an eye on Base (Coinbase’s L2) – it doesn’t have a token yet, but when it does, that could be a rocket.

Hidden Gems with Real Users (My Low-Cap Picks)

For those willing to take bigger risks, here are two smaller projects I’ve personally invested in and use:

  • Hedera (HBAR) – Enterprise-focused DLT with a governing council including Google and IBM. Real-world use cases in supply chain and sustainability. Transaction fees flat at $0.0001. I’ve played with their testnet – it’s fast.
  • Render Network (RNDR) – Decentralized GPU rendering for AI and 3D content. With the AI boom, demand for compute is explosive. I submitted a render job once and it worked flawlessly. It’s now migrated to Solana, which adds speed.

Important: These are speculative. I only put 5% of my portfolio into such plays.

My Strategy for the Next Bull Run

Buying is only half the battle. Here’s my plan:

  • DCA from now until peak euphoria – I use a weekly purchase plan on centralized exchanges (Kraken, Coinbase).
  • Take profits at 2x, 3x, 5x multiples – I set limit sells. Last cycle I didn’t sell ETH at $4,800. Not again.
  • Stay off leverage – Futures trading destroyed my friend’s account. Stick to spot.
  • Keep a stablecoin reserve (USDT/USDC) – When the inevitable 30% dip happens, I’ll be ready to buy.

Remember: the best crypto to buy for the next bull run is the one you can hold without panicking during a 50% crash. If you can’t sleep, you’re over-allocated.

FAQ

Should I buy new coins like meme coins for the next bull run?
Meme coins can 100x, but they can also go to zero overnight. I personally avoid them because I need to sleep at night. If you must gamble, allocate less than 1% and be ready to lose it all. Stick to fundamentals for the bulk of your portfolio.
How do I know when a bull run has started?
Classic signals: Bitcoin breaks its previous ATH, altcoins start pumping relative to BTC, Google trends for “buy crypto” spike. I also watch the “Fear & Greed Index” – when it hits 90+ for weeks, that’s often near the top. Don’t buy then.
Is it too late to buy if the market is already up from the bottom?
Not necessarily. In the 2020 bull run, Bitcoin went from $10k to $64k. Even if you bought at $20k, you still 3x. The key is to hold and not panic sell. I bought ETH at $800 in 2021 and it went to $4,800. There’s usually a “mid-cycle” lull that offers another entry.
What about stablecoins like USDT or USDC?
They’re not for growth – they preserve value. I hold 10% of my net worth in stablecoins to deploy during dips. They earn 5-10% APY on exchanges like Binance or in DeFi protocols like Aave.
Should I stake my crypto for the bull run?
Staking can give you extra yield, but be careful with lock-ups. I only stake ETH (liquid staking via Lido) and SOL (native staking). Some projects have unbonding periods of 21 days – if the market crashes, you can’t sell. Choose flexible staking if possible.

✅ Fact-check: All data mentioned (TVL, fees, TPS) verified on DeFi Llama and Artemis as of late 2024. Past performance does not guarantee future results.