Three Altcoins to Watch in Week 2: A Humble Galactic Guide

by

The first month of the new year, like a hyperactive vending machine in a spaceport, is bound to be a flurry of upgrades to networks and protocols. Altcoins, those caffeinated puppies of finance, are likely to ride this momentum, with some even producing shiny evidence of progress in recent days.

BeInCrypto has analysed three such altcoins that the investors must watch in the second week of January. Yes, three. Because one is never enough when you’re trying to pretend you understand technology and profit at the same time. 🚀

Mantle (MNT)

Mantle is jauntily hobbling toward its first major network upgrade of the year, a mainnet update designed to sprinkle all features of Ethereum’s Fusaka upgrade with glitter and dubious confidence. Scheduled to go live this week, the upgrade could improve utility and scalability, potentially attracting new users and increasing on-chain activity. It’s the crypto equivalent of adding more seats to a crowded saloon-just with smarter math.

The development may act as a catalyst for the MNT price, which is currently flirting with $0.99 and showing early upward pressure-like a shy cat that’s learned the doorbell rings for treats. To recover roughly 14% in recent losses, the altcoin must decisively breach $1.04. Reaching that badge would open a path toward $1.11 and signal renewed bullish momentum. 🛸

Want more token insights like this? Sign up for Editor Harsh Notariya’s Daily Crypto Newsletter here.

Downside risks remain if market confidence weakens. Should bullish momentum fail to build, MNT could struggle at $1.04 and face renewed selling pressure. A rejection there may drag the token back toward its all-time low near $0.94, invalidating the bullish thesis. In other words, the universe might politely say, “Nice try,” before rolling its eyes.

MANTRA (OM)

OM posted early-month strength, trading near $0.078 as MANTRA prepares a major network transition. Users must migrate ERC20 OM to MANTRA Chain before January 15, 2026. After the deadline, ERC20 OM will be deprecated through a managed sunset, concentrating liquidity and activity on the native chain. It’s like moving your chaotic bookshelf from a living room to a quieter study-less dust, more order, possibly fewer memes.

The migration aims to establish MANTRA Chain-native OM as the sole canonical token. Such structural upgrades often act as short-term catalysts by reducing fragmentation and improving network clarity. If investor confidence improves, OM price could advance toward $0.083, a level that must be reclaimed to support further upside momentum. 🧭

Downside risks persist if the buying interest weakens. Chaikin Money Flow already signals capital outflows, suggesting selling pressure remains active. Should bullish momentum fail, OM could slip below $0.077. A sustained breakdown there may expose the token to a deeper pullback toward $0.072, invalidating the bullish thesis. It’s not the most uplifting path, but at least there’s a map. 🗺️

Polygon (POL)

POL ranked among the week’s strongest performers after Polygon was selected by Wyoming’s Stable Token Commission to host the state’s first stablecoin. The announcement boosted visibility and institutional credibility. This development helped drive renewed investor interest, positioning POL as a key beneficiary of real-world blockchain adoption. A bureaucratic stamp of approval, delivered with surprising elegance, for those who enjoy paperwork with their profit.

The catalyst lifted POL price by 46% before a 12% pullback over the last 48 hours. The correction followed failure to breach $0.183 and flip the 200-day EMA into support. Achieving that level would signal macro bullishness, opening a path toward $0.200 if selling pressure remains contained. 📈

Downside risk increases if holders rush to lock in profits. In that scenario, POL could retreat toward $0.138, a critical support zone. A breakdown there would also push the price below the 50-day EMA. Such a move would invalidate the bullish setup and expose POL to a deeper slide toward $0.119. It’s the sort of cliff that makes even the bravest hodlers pause and check the weather app. ⛈️

Read More

2026-01-12 14:17