Helium trades at $1.52 as of writing, up 31% in the last 24 hours and over 90% over the past seven days. The surge places HNT among today’s top crypto gainers while most major coins post losses and trade in the red. With a market cap near $282 million and a ranking around 110, the low-cap token has suddenly captured attention.
Source: CoinCodex
The broader market context makes the rally stand out even more. While large-cap assets struggle with short-term pressure, HNT pushes higher with strong volume and rising engagement.
Its all-time high remains far away at $55.17, recorded in November 2021, leaving the token still down about 97% from peak levels. Yet traders now ask a simple question: what drives this breakout?
DePIN Narrative Regains Spotlight
Recent coverage has placed Helium among high-potential low-cap cryptos for 2026. An analysis published on February 12 highlighted Helium’s role in building decentralized wireless networks for IoT devices. Individuals operate hotspots and earn HNT for providing connectivity. This model addresses infrastructure gaps and reduces reliance on traditional telecom providers.
The renewed focus on real-world utility has drawn capital back into projects tied to decentralized physical infrastructure networks, or DePIN. Social engagement metrics support that trend. Helium’s social interactions have climbed over 85%, signaling growing retail and community interest.
Source: X
Messari’s “State of DePIN 2025” report also added fuel. The research firm valued the DePIN sector at $10 billion and recorded $72 million in onchain revenue. It singled out Helium as a prime example, noting that its on-chain revenue surged 800% year over year even as token prices fell sharply during the same period.
That divergence highlights strengthening network fundamentals despite prior price weakness.
Supply Structure And Network Growth
Helium currently has 186.32 million HNT in circulation out of a maximum supply of 223 million. Roughly 83.5% of the total supply already circulates in the market. A high circulating ratio often reduces uncertainty around future token emissions.
Meanwhile, data points to growth in active hotspots and increased data transfer across the network. Market participants frequently cite this expansion as evidence of real-world adoption. Increased infrastructure usage can reinforce the long-term investment thesis.
However, not all recent developments lean bullish. Kyle Samani, co-founder of Multicoin Capital, stepped down from his operational role earlier this month. Multicoin backed Helium during its early stages. Although Samani stated he will continue investing personally in crypto, leadership changes at major backers can introduce strategic uncertainty.
Can The Rally Sustain?
Price forecasting models present a more cautious long-term outlook. CoinCodex projects Helium could trade around $1.06 by the end of 2026, which would mark a 29% decline from current levels. The same model estimates a potential drop to $0.5105 by 2030, implying a 65% decrease from today’s price.
Those projections contrast sharply with the current momentum. Diluted market cap figures hover around $332 million, while the live market cap stands near $277 million. Traders now watch whether volume and engagement remain elevated in the coming sessions.
Short-term rallies often test conviction. Will DePIN enthusiasm translate into sustained capital inflows, or will broader market weakness cap gains? The next few trading days may offer clarity. For now, Helium defies the red market narrative and commands attention as one of today’s standout performers.
Source: https://coinpaper.com/14652/helium-price-prediction-low-cap-hnt-soars-31-as-de-pin-hype-explodes
