BitMEX founder Arthur Hayes has ignited the altcoin market by naming Hyperliquid (HYPE), Zcash (ZEC), and NEAR Protocol (NEAR) as his “holy trinity” of cryptocurrencies. The endorsement, posted on X on May 22, 2026, has coincided with a sharp surge in all three coins, which have collectively outperformed Bitcoin during a period many are calling altseason.
Zcash (ZEC) is benefiting from a powerful privacy narrative gaining traction among institutional voices. Analysts point to growing fears of institutional control over crypto, which could drive demand for truly private money. Backers include Ran Neuner, the Winklevoss brothers, and Barry Silbert. The network is also executing a roadmap to become fully quantum-resistant, aiming for a post-quantum secure state by mid-2027. On-chain data shows ZEC added 40% in a week and is approaching a key resistance zone at $700–$730. Additionally, Grayscale has filed to convert its Zcash Trust into a spot ETF (ticker ZCSH) on NYSE Arca, which if approved, would be the first privacy-focused crypto ETF.
Hyperliquid (HYPE) continues to dominate decentralized trading with its high-speed, fully on-chain perpetual platform. The project generated more revenue than most established Layer 1s in Q1 2026, alarming legacy players. Its HYPE token has gained over 90% in the first five months of 2026, yet Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan argues it remains undervalued, calling it a “super app” targeting the $600 trillion global asset market. The 21Shares Hyperliquid ETF (THYP) recorded $1.2 million in net inflows on its debut. Further, Ondo Finance expanded tokenized stocks—including Tesla, Google, and Netflix—to Hyperliquid, reinforcing its position in the tokenization narrative.
NEAR Protocol (NEAR) is carving out a lead in AI integration. It has launched an AI Agent Market and a confidential GPU marketplace, positioning it ahead of competitors. The government of Bermuda recently partnered with NEAR AI for secure artificial intelligence across its public services, a national endorsement that boosted confidence. Grayscale has also filed to convert its NEAR Trust into a spot ETF (ticker GSNR). The protocol is set for a major infrastructure upgrade—dynamic resharding—in June 2026. NEAR was trading at $2.37 after a 16% daily and 70% monthly gain at the time of reporting.
Hayes’ public backing has amplified bullish sentiment across these ecosystems, with all three assets breaking key technical resistance levels. The combination of institutional ETF filings, technological roadmaps, and high-profile endorsements is fueling triple-digit return expectations.
