Zero Knowledge Proof Attracts Attention With 300x ROI Potential; Stellar and Ethereum Face Pressure

Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) has drawn significant market attention in early 2026 with a presale auction and a $5 million giveaway. The project has already invested over $100 million in development before selling a single token, setting it apart from traditional crypto launches. Daily token auctions are creating rising prices and drawing early participation.

ZKP's model flips the typical approach of building after fundraising. Instead, the team built infrastructure first, including live testnets and deployed Proof Pod hardware. This shift reduces uncertainty for investors, who are entering a system that already exists rather than betting on future execution according to analysis.

The ZKP auction operates on a 24-hour basis, releasing 200 million tokens each cycle. Prices increase daily, with early participants seeing up to 250% gains. Experts project returns of 500x or higher for early buyers, making ZKP a top crypto to watch.

Ethereum's price has fallen nearly 3% in the past 24 hours, struggling to break above $3,300. On-chain metrics show weak demand, with the Coinbase Premium Gap falling to its lowest level since early 2025. This indicates limited buying interest from institutional investors.

Ethereum ETF flows have shown mixed results, with Grayscale's ETHE reporting a $3.9 million inflow on January 13. While this is a positive signal, it follows months of outflows and may not be enough to trigger a sustained rally according to daily flow data.

Stellar (XLM) has also pulled back, with analysts predicting a moderate increase to $1.09 by 2030. However, near-term forecasts are bearish, with price action showing a lack of strong upward pressure. The project's focus on cross-border transactions remains its primary value proposition as analysts project.

Why Did This Happen?

ZKP's success stems from its approach to risk and transparency. Unlike most crypto projects, which promise development after raising funds, ZKP built infrastructure first. This reduces the risk of failure and increases investor confidence. Testnets are live, and hardware is manufactured, making ZKP an operational system rather than a speculative project according to project documentation.

The auction model also plays a key role. By distributing tokens based on daily participation, ZKP creates a fair and transparent system. Each 24-hour window locks in a new price floor, with demand driving upward price pressure. This has led to rapid price appreciation for early contributors.

How Did Markets React?

Ethereum's weakness has drawn attention from analysts, who highlight on-chain indicators like the Coinbase Premium Gap. The negative gap shows that selling pressure is stronger on U.S. exchanges compared to global ones. This suggests that institutional investors remain hesitant to buy at current levels according to market analysis.

Stellar's price action reflects similar challenges. While it remains a viable option for cross-border transactions, it has failed to gain momentum in the current cycle. Analysts project a moderate increase over the next few years, but immediate price support remains a concern as price forecasts indicate.

ZKP, by contrast, has seen rapid adoption. The project's presale has attracted over $100 million in early investment, with projections suggesting it could raise $1.7 billion. This level of interest is rare and highlights ZKP's potential as a major market player according to market reports.

What Are Analysts Watching Next?

Analysts are closely monitoring Ethereum's ability to regain institutional interest. A return to positive Coinbase Premium Gap readings would signal stronger demand and potentially trigger a breakout above $3,300. For now, however, the market remains cautious according to technical analysis.

ZKP's auction is a key event to watch. Each 24-hour cycle brings new participants and rising prices. With forecasts of 600x returns for early buyers, the auction's success could set a new standard for crypto fundraising according to market projections.

Stellar's ability to attract new use cases will also determine its long-term success. While it remains a strong contender in cross-border transactions, it must overcome near-term price pressure and attract more institutional buyers to maintain growth as analysts project.