If Arthur Hayes is right, and Bitcoin (BTC) pushes toward $1 million by 2028, then now is the time to look closely at the best altcoins to buy now. Hayes’ latest essay, Fatty Fatty Boom Boom, outlines a global shift—foreign capital returning to the U.S., driving massive inflows into BTC and, likely, other digital assets.

But while Bitcoin will lead the charge, altcoins with utility, AI integration, or cross-chain value could ride the momentum harder. One project already making early waves is Dawgz AI, an Ethereum-based altcoin blending meme culture with staking rewards and real infrastructure.

They’re cheaper, more volatile, and often deliver higher returns during bull runs. So, what are the best altcoins to buy if Hayes' forecast unfolds?

Let’s dig into the coins flying under the radar—but gaining traction fast in 2025.

Hayes’ $1M Bitcoin Forecast and Why It Matters for Altcoins

Arthur Hayes—founder of BitMEX and CIO of Maelstrom Fund—just shook the market with a bold prediction: Bitcoin to $1 million by 2028. The catalyst? A major return of foreign capital to U.S. markets.

As the U.S.–China economic split grows clearer, Hayes argues that capital in USD won’t be sent abroad—it will be deployed domestically. And Bitcoin, with its finite supply and inflation-proof narrative, could soak up a big chunk of that liquidity.

But here’s what matters for altcoin buyers: When Bitcoin runs, altcoins usually follow—and often multiply BTC’s gains.

If Hayes’ macro outlook proves accurate, the altcoins to buy now are the ones still cheap, early-stage, and building real-world use cases.

Why Altcoins Under $1 Are Gaining More Attention

In a world where Bitcoin is trading over $100,000, altcoins priced under $1 look downright attractive. It’s not just about affordability—it’s about position sizing, higher volatility, and faster upside during market surges.

Tokens with staking utility, ecosystem integration, or AI functionality are now being reevaluated as serious contenders—not just speculative plays. Plus, with lower entry prices, smaller investors can build meaningful bags before institutional attention catches up.

When Hayes talks about big capital flows entering crypto, these are the tokens that can move hardest and fastest.

What Are the Best Altcoins to Buy Now?

If you're scanning the market for 2025 altcoins with momentum, fundamentals, and upside, here are three standout picks:

Dawgz AI ($DAGZ)

Dawgz AI is a newer project blending AI utility with meme branding, and it’s quietly becoming one of the most-watched presales this year. With over $3.56 million raised, its strong early interest is backed by actual features—not just hype.

  • Current price: $0.004 (next tier: $0.00438)

  • Staking rewards: 20% of supply

  • Cross-chain compatibility: Ethereum, BNB Chain, Solana

  • Audit: Verified by SolidProof

Unlike typical meme coins, Dawgz AI’s tokenomics are long term focused. 30% of supply is reserved for presale participants, and staking is already live. Add in community incentives (15% of supply), and this token is clearly designed for sustained growth, not a pump-and-dump cycle.

If capital inflows accelerate in line with Hayes’ outlook, tokens like DAGZ, which sit at the intersection of AI and DeFi, could see major upward pressure.

IQ

IQ is a decentralized knowledge token with real-world application. It powers prediction markets, Web3 data tools, and AI integrations. While still under the radar, IQ has remained resilient during market dips.

  • Current price: $0.00457

  • Market cap: $92.79 million

  • Circulating supply: 21.6 billion

  • Use case: Powers AI systems and decentralized knowledge apps

IQ isn’t a hype token—it’s a low-cost altcoin with real infrastructure. High liquidity, a working platform, and steady volume make it a top contender for long-term growth, especially in a market trending toward utility.

Artificial Liquid Intelligence (ALI)

Artificial Liquid Intelligence (ALI) supports Alethea AI, a platform building interactive avatars and decentralized content tools. With the rise of AI in crypto, ALI has found its niche.

  • Current price: $0.006102

  • Market cap: $52.2 million

  • Volume (24h): $1.49 million

  • Circulating supply: 8.18 billion

With most of its supply already circulating and a clear narrative around AI-powered Web3 tools, ALI offers a balanced mix of story and functionality. For investors looking at AI-linked tokens, ALI could be an affordable long-term play.

How to Spot Altcoins With Breakout Potential

Not all altcoins are built to survive a market shift. Here’s how to spot the ones with real upside:

  • Tokenomics clarity: Is the allocation simple, fair, and geared toward long-term holders?

  • Presale traction: Are wallets accumulating, and is the presale transparent?

  • Utility: Does the token do something—staking, AI tools, cross-chain bridging?

  • Audit status: A third-party audit (like SolidProof) helps eliminate red flags.

  • Community activity: Look for organic engagement, not just marketing buzz.

If a project checks off three or more of these boxes, it may be more than just another placeholder coin.

Are These the Best Altcoins to Buy Long Term?

If Hayes’ Bitcoin forecast plays out, the real upside may not be in BTC—it may come from these under-the-radar tokens with infrastructure and scale.

Dawgz AI, for example, could emerge as a meme coin with substance: audited, cross-chain, with active staking rewards and an energized community. IQ and ALI, meanwhile, represent data- and AI-driven projects that serve actual functions in the growing Web3 landscape.

These aren’t overnight plays. They’re position-building altcoins designed to benefit from increased liquidity, wider adoption, and the maturing crypto economy through 2025 and beyond.

Final Thoughts

The best altcoins to buy now aren’t necessarily the flashiest. They’re the ones with utility, smart tokenomics, and enough early traction to make a move if the market goes full risk-on.

If Bitcoin really is headed to $1 million, as Arthur Hayes suggests, you don’t want to be the last to rotate into promising altcoins.

Start early. Focus on value. Watch what smart money is doing.

Dawgz AI, IQ, and ALI might just be the top altcoin plays of 2025—but only for those who spot them before the breakout.

FAQs Section

Which altcoin is best to invest now?

Dawgz AI stands out for its AI-backed staking features, presale strength, and early cross-chain support.

What's the next 1000x crypto?

No one can say for sure, but low-cap projects like Dawgz AI and IQ are showing strong early signals.

Which crypto can give 1000x in 2030?

If utility and adoption grow steadily, projects like ALI or IQ may deliver long-term gains with scale.

Which coin can go 100x?

Altcoins under $1 with real-world use—like Dawgz AI—have the mechanics and early interest to potentially run hard in the next bull cycle.

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