If a bull run was around the corner, this would be the corner it was around. Most ‘experts’ in the field from CZ (of Binance) to the majority of the crypto funds have stated this 8-month bear market is likely to reverse between Quarter 3 and Quarter 4 of 2018. The reason for this reversal in market sentiment? Likely a plethora of catalysts driving BTC and the entire altcoin markets higher.This week Canadians were approved to use an investment tool similar to an ETF in order to invest directly in Bitcoin (BTC) $6539.43 -0.09% with significantly less risk (and tax deference). Besides Canada, the U.S. approved a Winklevoss backed stable coin which will be audited within the U.S. by multiple agencies (bye bye Tether and USDT).What happened to the investigations that all the sudden disappeared? It seems regardless of the Tether investigation, the Winklevoss brothers have found a solution for a stable, audited, ‘tethered’ coin to the U.S. dollar.

However, with nothing but positive news all week, it seems like BTC is not even noticing having fallen from over $7,000 to approximately $6300. There are rumors circulating this can be attributed to some of the Mt. Gox BTC being sold on the open market. Regardless of the market situation and BTC pricing, there are a few cryptocurrencies that should stand out during the next few weeks/months.Last week TRIG was called as the top cryptocurrency for the week. As BTC fell from $7300 to $6200, TRIG went from 245 SATS to 340 SATS in the same 3-day period. These types of returns can be easily spotted if you know what you are looking for.

This week the main targets are: VIBE, LSK, and ETH.

3 CRYPTOCURRENCIES LIKELY TO BEAT BITCOIN THIS WEEK

VIBE (VIBE) — CALENDAR, AR, VR, FACILITY AND PLATFORM RELEASE BY DECEMBER 31ST

VIBE $0.03410 +0.68% is a cryptocurrency that specializes in augmented reality and virtual reality. Their main concept is to bring users of VR devices to top events around the world without the user ever having to leave the comfort of their own home. With VR popularity growing at an unprecedented level it seems VIBE may have found an untapped niche in the blockchain space.VIBE is an ERC20 token which serves as the underlying currency of the VIBEHub technology. This tech uses “holoportation” to essentially project holograms of artists, instructors, and tutors into the virtual reality space. This will allow individuals to enjoy concerts and be educated in a classroom like setting (if chosen) without having to even leave the comfort of their home.A cryptocurrency that allows its users to watch their favorite concert live, from anywhere in the world, with front seat tickets, is a novel concept. However, until it is a reality it is just a concept. VIBE is going from an ICO to making their concept a reality by the end of the year. This type of dedication and lack of procrastination demonstrate VIBE’s desire to solidify themselves in the space as the VR and AR leader.What makes VIBE relevant this week? Their cryptocalendar! In the next three months VIBE plans to release their AR and VR platforms for VR devices. That alone would be exciting enough but VIBE also plans on having an entire VR and AR facility opened and accessible by the public prior to the end of the year.With a market cap of under $7 million and an individual coin value of $.03, it seems VIBE has substantial room for growth if the concept of viewing concerts and interacting from the comfort of your home continues to catch on. At $1.00 per VIBE, the entire cryptocurrency’s market cap would be under $300 million making this one that can truly “moon.”VIBE’s plans are very ambitious, but with VR platforms, AR platforms, a VR/AR facility, and a loaded calendar, VIBE looks very similar to TRIG last week as the top play of this week.Diversification is always important regardless of your investment choice, but if the King was to pick one coin from this list of 3, it would be VIBE for a short-term investment. VIBE has found a niche market that is easily exploitable and bringing their functioning product and facility live by year’s end. This should be a fantastic short-term play.

LISK (LSK) – DECENTRALIZED EXCHANGE TRADING PLANNED TO BE RELEASED BY NOV 1, 2018

Similar to NEO and ETH, Lisk (LSK) $3.37165 -0.68% is a decentralized application network that uses smart contracts powered by LSK tokens to provide devs with a platform to develop on. One of the selling points of LSK is JavaScript support. LSK has become a media darling while also building enthusiasm with developers and the public. Essentially LSK is a decentralized applications playground.Several key members of the ETH team are working on the LSK team and they’ve also secured many strategic partnerships. One of LSK’s most notable partners is Microsoft (yes, that Microsoft). By leveraging sidechains, LSK is aiming to supplement many cryptocurrencies already in the market. LSK has streamlined the ease of creating applications so those that are not even that ‘tech-savvy’ can take advantage of the platform.

With key ETH developers focused on LSK while the LSK smart contract network operates similarly to ETH and NEO/GAS, LSK could easily be the next major cryptocurrency. LSK’s partnerships include Microsoft, and it supports both Azure Cloud and JavaScript. Focusing on sidechains, LSK becomes an easy choice for enterprise development.LSK has a market cap that is much higher than VIBE’s, which means the likelihood of “mooning” is far less. Still, that does not take away from the strong partnerships LSK has developed. Their market cap is $396 million. LSK’s partnerships and continued market dominance will be the reasons it beats BTC returns even if it does not moon in comparison to VIBE.So what makes LSK a target this week besides everything stated above? They are planning to release a decentralized exchange by the end of October. At approximately 1 month away it is important to beat the masses piling into LSK leading up to these calendar dates.An upcoming decentralized exchange, partnerships with Microsoft, ETH developers working for LSK, and simplified enterprise solutions are all reasons LSK should outperform most alts including BTC in the immediate short term.

ETHEREUM (ETH) – DEAD CAT BOUNCE

There is a common term when trading stocks that fluctuate greatly: “Even a dead cat bounces.” Although a bit vulgar, the concept is important. Coins that seem “dead” and are in free fall, will bounce when they hit their “bottom.” ETH $223.775 -0.48% managed to buck the trend of the market retraction all the way through mid-February still trading at $1000+. However, here we are eight months later and ETH is trading under $180 for the first time in 2018.Will the “dead cat bounce?” Time will tell but it seems one of two things will occur. ICOs will basically have fallen off indefinitely or the more likely option — ICOs are waiting for proper regulations to be put in place. This will likely lead to more securitized tokens while also providing guidelines to ICO founders and investors. ICOs have almost completely halted since the end of Q2, all anxiously awaiting regulations from the world superpowers. However, many nations including the United States have made it clear they will provide regulations outlining how ICOs must take place.At the time of writing, ETH was under $200 and the entire crypto world was bemoaning ETH’s demise. Here we are 48hrs later and ETH is back above $200 at a comfortable $221 per coin with a market cap of $22 billion. At the pre $200 price point I would be screaming “Buy.” But with a 30% gain in under 48 hours, it is hard to tell if it will beat VIBE’s, LSK’s, or possibly even BTC’s returns.These regulations should not be shunned, but instead embraced. ETH has suffered due to fewer and fewer ICOs launching on their platform (or any platform for that matter). When the ICO excitement builds again once the regulations are in place, ETH will be the coin all but forgotten — but likely capitalizing on the new flood of coin offerings. From ETH’s current price an 8x would not be unheard of to return it to its prior ATH. If BTC $6539.43 -0.09% did an 8x it would be trading at $50,000.ETH is a very risky play as there is no guaranteed calendar date for when ETH futures will begin trading on the major US commodity exchanges. Nor a projection for when the SEC will formulate regulations allowing for ICOs and securitized tokens. When either of these two events occur, they will provide the catalyst likely to drive ETH much higher.

BEATING BITCOIN: LIKE FINDING A NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK

Finding an altcoin to outperform BTC and the rest of the market in a bear market is like finding a needle in a haystack. Last week we were very lucky to have stumbled upon TRIG prior to its major news and conferences, allowing it to earn 30-50% for those that read this article last week. Returns in the 50% range cannot be regularly expected. But if enough due diligence is done, one can greatly increase their chances of having it happen again while beating BTC’s returns (which should be the main goal of ever crypto trader).This week the coins that seem most likely to beat BTC’s returns are VIBE followed by LSK. ETH has a chance to produce insane returns but when those gains will take place could be this month, or in 6 months (based on regulations).Remember to always take profits, do not get greedy, and when there is blood in the streets — that is when you accumulate crypto!

By: JAKETHECRYPTOKING : Article