As the year wraps up, the crypto market is slowing down. Bitcoin (BTC) has dropped to $94,000, and Ethereum (ETH) is now trading around $3,300. Many other popular cryptocurrencies are also losing value, with declines of 1% to 5% in the last 24 hours. However, not all is gloomy—four Ethereum-based tokens are showing promise and could bring big returns for investors: Phala Network (PHA), Minotaurus (MTAUR), Virtuals Protocol (VIRTUAL), and DeXe (DEXE).

Let’s take a closer look at these standout tokens and what makes them exciting opportunities, even in a sluggish market.

**Virtuals Protocol (VIRTUAL)**
VIRTUAL is making waves in the crypto space. It recently hit a new record high of $3.58 before settling at $3.44, climbing 15% in just 24 hours. Over the past month, it’s skyrocketed by 257.23%, thanks to its focus on AI and the metaverse—two rapidly growing industries. Experts project that the AI agents sector could grow by 45% annually, and VIRTUAL is right at the forefront by combining artificial intelligence and Big Data. If you’re interested in cutting-edge tech like AI and metaverse projects, VIRTUAL might be worth considering.

**Minotaurus (MTAUR)**
MTAUR is gaining popularity in blockchain gaming as December winds down. This token is currently priced at just 0.00006001 USDT during its presale—70% lower than its expected listing price of 0.00020 USDT. Earlier in the presale, it was even cheaper at 0.000040 USDT, marking an impressive growth of over 200%. MTAUR powers the Minotaurus game, offering perks like access to advanced features, rewards for referrals, and benefits linked to holding the token over time. Its focus on gamification and community involvement sets it up as a promising choice for early investors.

**Phala Network (PHA)**
PHA is taking Web3 AI to the next level by blending artificial intelligence with blockchain technology. Over the past month, its value has surged by 245.08%, now trading at $0.5385. A big boost came from its listing on Bitget’s Innovation Zone, where promotional zero-fee trading has helped drive its momentum. Bitget is known as a top Web3 exchange, which has further cemented PHA’s reputation as a game-changer in the industry. If you’re into tech-focused investments, PHA’s innovative approach to Web3 and AI could be an excellent opportunity.

**DeXe (DEXE)**
DEXE is all about improving decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). Its protocol focuses on creating sustainable DAOs by emphasizing fairness, clear incentives, and expert involvement. The $DEXE token plays a key role in its governance and is currently priced at $12.96. Over the last day, its trading volume has soared by 84.45% to $740.53 million. With a year-to-date gain of 236.11%, DEXE stands out as a solid pick for those interested in decentralized governance systems.

Despite the overall market slowdown, VIRTUAL, MTAUR, PHA, and DEXE are showing strong potential to multiply investments significantly. These tokens are leading the way in AI, gaming, Web3 innovation, and decentralized governance, making them standout performers as we move into a new year. If you’re looking to make smart moves in crypto during this holiday season, these four Ethereum-based coins could be worth exploring!