Investors Move Past AVAX & ETH in 2026 as Zero Knowledge Proof Lands With 400x ROI Forecast & $10M Sports Deal

At the beginning of the year 2026, there is a sense of caution among crypto investors as reflected in the performance of most digital currencies. Price movement for a majority of cryptocurrencies was more closely related to technical thresholds than to any clear upward momentum.

While the Avalanche cryptocurrency has noted some price gains over the past year, it is still below important price levels and does not indicate substantial upward price movement at this time. The Ethereum price is likewise being carefully monitored as its current development plans are focused much more on establishing long-term security than on short-term profit potential.

Conversely, Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP) is garnering more attention for the execution of its product than for speculative purposes. The recent announcement regarding ZKP partnering with Australia’s Dolphins Rugby team is indicative of the very unusual real-world implementation of blockchain technology that will take place in the near future. The potential for ZKP to produce a 400x return on investment is already generating excitement among industry analysts, as this strengthens ZKP’s viability as the next major cryptocurrency.

Avalanche Crypto Price Stalls Near $12.20 Despite Gain

The Avalanche crypto price rose 0.66% to $12.20, moving between $12.01 and $12.41 during the session. Despite the gain, it remains below key moving averages, with the 20-day at $13.13 and the 200-day at $21.19. Resistance is set at $13.27, while RSI sits at 38.98 and CCI at –93.09, indicating oversold conditions. The Avalanche crypto price still shows limited bullish momentum.

Analysts expect price movement between $11.60 and $12.69 this week, with under 20% chance of breaking above resistance. A drop below $11.60 could trigger more selling. For now, the Avalanche crypto price reflects a cautious market.

Ethereum Current Price Reacts to Security Upgrade 

Now Ethereum’s roadmap is talking about prioritizing security to speed, while the new zkEVM milestones are set for 2026. Developers are required to present 100-bit provable security by May and 128-bit by December, while the proof sizes are to be kept under 300 kilobytes. This change comes along with criticism of the current 80-bit protections. The current price of Ethereum is heavily dependent on these developments since credibility is based on compliance with more stringent verification standards.

Proving times have been slashed from 16 minutes to 16 seconds, and now 99% of blocks are validated in less than 10 seconds. Nevertheless, the Ethereum current price keeps being careful. The fact that 66% of all tokenized assets are built on Ethereum, market confidence and Ethereum's current price are now relying on the security benchmarks being delivered.

Why Zero Knowledge Proof’s $10M NRL Dolphins Deal Stands out!

Zero Knowledge Proof’s (ZKP) $10 million partnership with Australia’s Dolphins rugby club, marks a major milestone in blockchain’s entry into professional sports. As the team’s official blockchain partner, ZKP is integrating its privacy-first AI and decentralized infrastructure into the Dolphins’ real-world operations. This approach sets a rare example of direct, practical utility in the crypto sector.

The focus of this partnership is operational efficiency and innovation. ZKP’s encrypted technology will support data-driven tools for player performance, injury tracking, and fan interaction, all while ensuring sensitive information stays protected. Zero-knowledge proofs allow the Dolphins to generate insights without compromising personal or strategic data.

What makes this agreement more than just a headline is its immediate rollout. ZKP’s systems are not theoretical or delayed. They are already being implemented on-site with the Dolphins and across their digital presence. The partnership will also be visible at Suncorp Stadium, where ZKP branding will appear during home games.

This collaboration runs parallel to ZKP’s live daily presale auction, which distributes 200 million tokens every 24 hours using transparent pricing based on demand. It is the same infrastructure now in use with the Dolphins, giving the market a working proof of concept.

With tangible integration and operational tech in motion, Zero Knowledge Proof stands out as a serious project in delivery mode, positioning itself as the next big crypto, with analysts predicting 400x ROI.  

Key Takeaways

The cryptocurrency market is still in the phase where delivery is valued much more than speculation, and this turnaround can be seen not only in Avalanche crypto price but also in the Ethereum current price. Throughout this week Avalanche has been fluctuating in the range of$11.60 and $12.69, and the indicators from the technical charts are pointing towards being cautious rather than expecting a breakout. Ethereum has been focusing on security for its roadmap and thus, the attention has been drawn to its long-term value but the current price of Ethereum is closely related to the progress made on the milestones for 2026 zkEVM.

At the same time, Zero Knowledge Proof is already showing signs of growth. ZKP is well underway as it already has a live partnership of $10M in professional sports and an auction system through which real infrastructure has been deployed and daily operations conducted. This real-world implementation and readiness in technology are what make the Zero Knowledge Proof credible to be the next big crypto.

Join the Presale Auction Now: 

Website: zkp.com 

FAQs: 

1. What is Zero Knowledge Proof (ZKP)?

Zero Knowledge Proof is a privacy-first blockchain project using cryptographic proofs to enable secure, verifiable computation. Its infrastructure supports real-world deployment, including shipped hardware, encrypted AI systems, and a live token distribution model.

2. What is the Dolphins' partnership about?

ZKP has partnered with Australia’s Dolphins rugby team in a $10 million deal. The agreement makes ZKP the club’s official blockchain partner, with its systems already being used to support performance analytics, data privacy, and operational tools.

3. How does ZKP’s technology work in practice?

ZKP runs a live daily auction that distributes 200 million tokens every 24 hours using a transparent, demand-based pricing model. This mechanism is powered by the same infrastructure currently in use with the Dolphins, offering a working proof of concept at scale.

4. Why is Zero Knowledge Proof considered the next big crypto?

ZKP combines live utility, physical hardware, and high-profile partnerships with full system deployment already underway. Unlike projects still in development, ZKP is executing in real time, earning recognition as the next big crypto.