Okay… can we talk about why gaming + sports-related coins are suddenly moving like it’s 2021 again, but in a way that actually makes more sense in 2026?
And I’m not talking about tiny pumps. There are triple-digit moves in some cases. So in this video, I’m covering 4 hot gaming altcoins, why they’re pumping right now, and will they continue to pump in 2026? And stay tuned for the Chiliz part, because if the F1 thing plays out the way it could, it’s the kind of narrative that catches attention FAST.
1) Axie Infinity
First, let’s start with Axie, because this one’s been the loudest wake-up call. Right now, AXS is around $2.35, and it’s up roughly 178% in the last 30 days. I know for a few years gaming market has been pretty much dead, and now, finally, we’ve started seeing the market aggressively re-pricing something.
$AXS is one of a very small group of coins that are listed on the big four of:@binance @coinbase @Official_Upbit
and now…@HyperliquidX!
Axie is always… the next Axie. https://t.co/dubg0sTKzJ
— Axie Infinity (@AxieInfinity) January 21, 2026
And the key thing here is: this doesn’t feel like a random meme pump. A lot of this move is coming from Axie finally tackling the issues that hurt GameFi in the last cycle – high emissions, bot farming, and nonstop sell pressure. Changes around SLP emissions have massively reduced inflation, which means fewer tokens constantly hitting the market.
$AXS is ripping and this feels different.
+100% this week
+60% in 24h
Breakout from multi-year lows
Why $AXS is pumping:
• SLP emissions halted → bots gone, inflation crushed
• bAXS launch → rewards tied to real gameplay, less sell pressure
• 2026 roadmap → Atia’s… pic.twitter.com/xEB3N1AHZw— Shadow King (@web3_shadowking) January 18, 2026
On top of that, there’s renewed excitement around the 2026 roadmap – MMO direction, Ronin upgrades, and governance changes. When you mix improving tokenomics with a clear “next chapter” narrative, capital rotates in fast, especially when the sector itself starts heating up again.
2026 is the year of big swings for Axie Infinity.@Cruise_SM breaks down exactly why these moves are critical, not just for our current community but to set the stage for the next generation of Axie enthusiasts.
What do you want to happen most in 2026 for Axie Infinity? pic.twitter.com/hjhetGBkx7
— Axie Infinity (@AxieInfinity) January 14, 2026
So, will AXS keep pumping? It can, but it depends on follow-through. If Axie keeps delivering updates and the reduced sell pressure actually holds, this move can turn into a trend. If not, you could see sharp pullbacks. Let’s wait and see how Axie plays out
2) Checkmate
Next coin on our list is Checkmate, and this one has been absolutely flying. CHECK is trading around $0.07941, and it’s up roughly 152% over the last 30 days.That’s the kind of move that instantly pulls attention back to a project.
📣New Listing Alert!$CHECK @AnichessGame on HTX!
✅Deposits Opened
📈Trading Starts Soon!Details: https://t.co/XFVVoGil6e pic.twitter.com/9LUSb4EplB
— HTX (@HTX_Global) January 19, 2026
So why is this happening? Three main reasons. First, exchange exposure. New or higher-profile listings bring in fresh liquidity and a whole new audience that simply couldn’t access the token before. Second, token events. Between burns, rewards being loaded, and strong community messaging, CHECK has created a setup where holding and participating feels more attractive than dumping.
Hyperliquid.$CHECK, mate. https://t.co/GiYbQjTo9K pic.twitter.com/7HcRTyqsQX
— Anichess (@AnichessGame) January 21, 2026
And third, the story is simple. A competitive, skill-based game with rewards and an esports angle is something people immediately understand, especially compared to more complex DeFi narratives. Now, where do I see Checkmate going from here? Will we see more pump?
Anichess; the magical chess game powered by $CHECK just leveled up big time:
<> $CHECK listed on HTX recently
<> Massive token burns
<> Rewards via Void Protocol (100 Ethernals locked, 13M $CHECK loaded)
<> Esports partnership with @teamsecret for NFT passes + $CHECK… pic.twitter.com/r6PrRVFA8s— BLEDI (@bledi_ai) January 20, 2026
We definitely can, but this is also a high-volatility token. The key thing to watch is whether hype converts into sustained user growth and gameplay activity. If it does, CHECK can stay hot. If not, expect big swings both ways.
3) Chilliz
Now let’s talk about Chiliz, because this one is quietly building momentum, and that has a lot to do with the World Cup and Formula 1. CHZ is currently around $0.05186, and it’s up about 41% over the last 30 days. Chiliz has now climbed to rank 83 with a market cap of around 580 million USD.
The first team from the @Socios Locker Room: Internationals is coming soon to Chiliz Chain ✍️🔜
Which national team do you hope @Socios signed? 💬 https://t.co/7Gopcfk1Lc
— Chiliz – The Sports Blockchain (@Chiliz) January 9, 2026
Not as explosive as Axie, but this kind of move from a large, established token usually means positioning, not just hype. Chiliz has one of the clearest narratives in crypto: sports fans, real teams, real engagement. And in 2026, they’re leaning fully into this idea of SportFi and US expansion.
SportFi. A clear picture is starting to form.
📊 $CHZ climbs @CoinMarketCap to #83
⚽ @FanTokens are heating up
🇺🇸 US expansion ahead
🔜 Chiliz 2030 incoming
🌶️ $PEPPER DAO vote is live
🔒 $CHZ staking yields rising
👀 CT coverage returnsFull Chiliz Insights by @ChrisOtt 👇 https://t.co/tMEOayGYXD
— Chiliz – The Sports Blockchain (@Chiliz) January 20, 2026
The big near-term catalyst is January 31, 2026, when the Chiliz CEO is set to unveil “Chiliz 2030”. Markets love roadmap reveals, especially when they’re tied to real-world events and expansion plans. Now, about the F1 angle, and with the World Cup emerging, things are about to get even more interesting
Chiliz didn’t just stop at football; they moved into Formula 1, one of the most engaged fanbases on the planet. Major F1 teams are now using fan tokens powered by $CHZ, letting fans vote on team decisions, unlock VIP perks, and earn rewards during the season.
Chiliz has been on fire since the start of 2026.
What’s up?
We looked at over 12,000 recent $CHZ social mentions to uncover what the community is most excited about.
Summary
Chiliz CEO hints at major steps for SportFi in 2026, with the World Cup narrative driving significant… pic.twitter.com/DyxeDAAej6— LunarCrush (@LunarCrush) January 15, 2026
And there are talks that Chiliz might be expanding fan-token utility or launching new initiatives around F1 teams or seasons, that’s the kind of narrative that can straight up push CHZ price up.
— Chiliz – The Sports Blockchain (@Chiliz) January 20, 2026
Now, the main question should you keep CHZ on your radar? The answer if course is yes, and if Chiliz 2030 delivers clear expansion plans and stronger utility, it can keep climbing. If the reveal disappoints, you could see a short-term cooldown. But either way, this is a token the market is clearly watching again.
Let me know if do you want a full video breaking down the Chiliz F1 and World Cup angle? Comment “F1” if you do.
4) Enjin Coin
And finally, Enjin – the OG gaming infrastructure play. ENJ is currently around $0.03016, and it’s up about 11% over the last 30 days. Not explosive, but that’s kind of the point.
ENJ tends to move when the market believes Web3 gaming is entering a healthier phase. Instead of betting on one game, ENJ focuses on infrastructure – the tools, wallets, and systems that multiple games can build on.
Slight delay on our landing, Enjineers. Touchdown in the Multiverse on Feb 3! 🫡🔥
All the deets here 👉https://t.co/7L5nUA4lba https://t.co/RAteZXTIQY pic.twitter.com/87IBSFGdPQ
— Enjin (@enjin) January 10, 2026
In 2026, that narrative matters again. If GameFi really is shifting toward sustainability – lower emissions, real utility, better player experiences – infrastructure tokens like ENJ naturally come back into focus. Will ENJ keep pumping?
Eyes on the prize. 👀
This year’s Multiverse Quest is stacked. 🤩
Which loot has your attention?Essence of the Elements arrives February 3. 🔥
More info: https://t.co/7L5nUA4lba
#Enjin #MultiverseQuest #Web3Gaming #NFTs pic.twitter.com/e9ax1drKAI
— Enjin (@enjin) January 11, 2026
If the gaming narrative stays alive across the market, ENJ can continue benefiting from that rotation. If momentum fades, it usually cools off too, but it remains one of the first names people revisit whenever GameFi shows signs of life.
Now I want to hear from you – which one deserves a full deep-dive video next: Axie, Chiliz, Check, or Enj? And don’t forget, if you want that Chiliz + F1 breakdown, drop “F1” in the comments.
Disclaimer
The information provided by Altcoin Buzz is not financial advice. It is intended solely for educational, entertainment, and informational purposes. Any opinions or strategies shared are those of the writer/reviewers, and their risk tolerance may differ from yours. We are not liable for any losses you may incur from investments related to the information given. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are high-risk assets; therefore, conduct thorough due diligence. Copyright Altcoin Buzz Pte Ltd.
The post Top 4 Crypto Gaming Altcoins For 2026 appeared first on Altcoin Buzz.
This articles is written by : Nermeen Nabil Khear Abdelmalak
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