Four Cryptos That Didn’t Wait for the Bull Run

It’s funny how crypto always finds a way to surprise us. One minute the market’s crawling, the next it’s quietly buzzing with life again. October was one of those months: not wild or euphoric, but full of small, significant moves that reminded us this space is still very much alive.

While most people were distracted by the usual headlines, a few projects quietly put out impressive gains. Here are four that stood out.

Zcash (ZEC)

Zcash has always been about one thing: privacy. It lets you move value without broadcasting every detail to the world—something that’s feeling more valuable by the day. In October, ZEC surged as more investors revisited what true financial anonymity can mean.

ApeX Protocol (APEX)

ApeX had a strong month too. It’s built for decentralized derivatives trading—the kind that keeps control in your hands, not on a company’s server. Its price jump came alongside renewed interest in DEXs and a smart buyback program that caught investors’ attention.

Humanity Protocol (H)

Humanity Protocol did something rare: rallied because of what it represents. It’s focused on digital identity, trying to make verification online both private and fair. October’s gains weren’t just hype, they were a nod to a future where identity is owned, not borrowed.

Merlin Chain (MERL)

Merlin Chain is an Ethereum Layer 2 project making things faster and cheaper for both users and developers. It didn’t skyrocket overnight, but it climbed steadily, earning respect for doing what Layer 2s are meant to—make Web3 work better.