Hyperliquid Hits $25, and Risk Appetite Looks Thin.

Hyperliquid’s token, HYPE, is trading in the mid-$20s after falling from the high-$20 range earlier in December, putting it firmly among the alt coins to watch as sentiment shifts. CoinMarketCap data currently shows HYPE trading around the $24 level, with sizable daily volume, reflecting how quickly sentiment can swing when the market is nervous. 

At the same time, Digitap ($TAP) is drawing attention for a different reason: less focus on chart drama, more focus on practical spending, and a presale structure that moves in planned stages rather than reacting to short-term market volatility.

This comparison matters heading into 2026 for anyone looking at the best crypto to buy now, because it highlights two very different paths: a token whose value is tightly tied to trading cycles and market mood, versus a project leaning into everyday utility and predictable presale mechanics.

What Is Driving Hyperliquid’s Slide

Hyperliquid is widely discussed as a high-speed on-chain trading venue, and HYPE has benefited from that narrative. Still, price often becomes the headline, especially when supply events and sentiment shifts hit at the same time.

A key factor being discussed across crypto news has been token unlock-related pressure. Some coverage notes large unlock events that can shake confidence when liquidity is thin, because additional supply can increase sell pressure if demand does not rise fast enough.

There is also an active debate around supply management. CoinMarketCap’s update feed referenced a burn-related proposal tied to reducing perceived supply pressure, underscoring that supply optics and token flow remain central to the story right now. 

[Visual Placement: TradingView-style chart highlighting HYPE’s drop toward ~$25, with key support/resistance zones labeled]

This doesn’t invalidate Hyperliquid’s product, but it does show what HYPE is exposed to: market cycles, unlock narratives, and momentum that can flip quickly when liquidity thins.

Price Exposure vs Real Spending Utility

The cleanest contrast is not “better tech” versus “worse tech.” The contrast is what actually supports value when markets are stressed.

Hyperliquid’s narrative is closely tied to trading activity. When risk appetite is strong, trading ecosystems often thrive. When risk appetite cools, the same ecosystem can feel the weight of lower momentum and supply worries.

Digitap takes a different approach. The focus is on real spending and day-to-day use, with a live app that lets users move between crypto and fiat, settle funds, and spend without relying on short-term price momentum. The official Digitap site positions $TAP as part of an ecosystem that emphasizes practical benefits like rewards and a broader financial app experience. 

This matters in a cautious market because utility-led stories tend to be easier for beginners to understand:

• Money comes in,

• Money can be converted,

• Money can be used.

That simplicity becomes a feature during bearish conditions. In bear markets, that kind of structure matters. Digitap’s model leans toward utility first, which is why it increasingly appears in discussions around the best altcoins to buy during cautious market conditions. It feels more stable than holding tokens fully exposed to hourly volatility.

Digitap’s Presale Structure and 2026 Setup

Digitap’s presale narrative is built around staged pricing and a planned path toward a stated target listing price. Digitap’s presale has progressed through multiple structured stages and is priced around $0.0383 in the current phase, while MEXC’s coverage highlights a stated $0.14 listing target. Round 3 is live, raising more than $2.7 million, highlighting steady participation even in a cautious market. 

Presale mechanics can be easier to digest than open-market chop, which is why crypto presales with real utility are attracting more attention than volatile spot markets right now. Staged prices, defined rounds, and a timeline that is not measured in five-minute candles. Digitap’s presale is structured around staged pricing, with the project highlighting real-world payment utility and a clear path.

Why the Bear Market Frame Tilts Toward Digitap

In a fearful market, especially for those considering the best crypto to invest in long term, the question is rarely “what pumps hardest.” The question becomes “what holds up when conditions stay rough.”

Hyperliquid’s current price action shows what happens when sentiment is fragile, and supply headlines are loud. CoinMarketCap’s data shows and highlights how quickly conditions change around major tokens.

Digitap’s framing leans into “use it, then value accrues,” which contrasts with tokens that depend on constant inflows and risk appetite to maintain price. That aligns with the broader bear-market talking points: practical settlement, real spending, and a presale that can feel more predictable than a token fighting volatility.

During the holiday period, Digitap is also running a structured 12-day Christmas campaign designed to keep engagement steady in a quieter market. New rewards unlock every 12 hours through the app, giving users a reason to return regularly rather than rely on one-off spikes in attention.

In a low-liquidity environment, that kind of repeat activity matters more than short-lived hype. It reinforces participation while the broader market remains cautious.

Digitap’s Edge Into 2026

Hyperliquid remains a major name in on-chain trading, but HYPE’s dip toward the $25 area highlights exposure to unlock narratives, sentiment cycles, and the rough edges of a cautious market.

Digitap’s story is built around a different foundation: real spending direction and a structured presale path.

For 2026, that distinction is the whole point:

• Hyperliquid represents a market-mood asset tied to trading intensity,

• Digitap represents a utility-forward path tied to everyday financial behavior.

Digitap is Live NOW. Learn more about their project here: 

Presale https://presale.digitap.app

Website: https://digitap.app

Social: https://linktr.ee/digitap.app