Dash, NYM Lead in Privacy Coin Development Activity

Key Points:
  • Dash  DASH -1.79% , NYM remain top in privacy coin development.
  • Santiment ranks them based on GitHub activity.
  • Developer focus influences potential market performance.

Dash, NYM, and HOPR lead privacy coin projects based on development activity in January 2026, according to Santiment’s GitHub metrics, maintaining their top positions.

Increased development activity in privacy coins indicates growing investor interest, with potential price impacts and sustained leadership in the crypto market.

Dash ($DASH), NYM ($NYM), and HOPR ($HOPR) lead the privacy coin development rankings by activity, as reported by Santiment. Major shifts in rankings include Monero  XMR -4.05% and Zcash  ZEC -4.07% experiencing changes, reflecting developer priorities.

Activity rankings rely on GitHub metrics tracking meaningful code commits. These reports do not specify leadership names but highlight shifts in priority over routine updates, impacting market views.

The high activity suggests an increased focus on technical enhancements for these privacy projects. This surge in developer activity may reflect or will influence trading momentum.

Historically, GitHub activity often correlates with market price changes. Privacy coins have shown 10-15% weekly gains in active development cycles, suggesting potential future implications.

“The analysis primarily relies on GitHub metrics and project rankings without citing specific individuals or their statements.”

Dash’s consistent presence underscores its sustained leadership. Lesser-known projects like HOPR emphasize that active development can outperform larger market cap coins such as Monero.

Regulatory pressure could push demand toward decentralization. Developer interest may redefine privacy coins’ roles amid evolving financial landscapes, indicating long-term viability for adaptable solutions.

Otto Bergmanr

Otte Bergmar is a crypto journalist covering Scandinavian and European blockchain markets, with a focus on decentralisation, privacy, and the AI–crypto interface. He reports on Web3 startups, market structure, and EU policy; from licensing regimes to consumer protection and cross-border compliance. At TokenTopNews, Otte transforms policy drafts, regulatory disclosures, and on-chain data into actionable, decision-ready insights, helping readers understand how regulation influences blockchain adoption across Europe.