6 Best Ethereum-Based Cryptos to Buy for ETH Season Gains

If there’s one thing 2025 has taught us, it’s that crypto always has a surprise around the corner. With inflation cooling off, Bitcoin getting frisky near a new all-time high, and Ethereum kicking up again, it feels like something’s brewing—something big. 

Topping the list? LILPEPE is a cheeky meme coin with serious momentum and a presale catching fire. It’s currently in Stage 8, with early investors already up around 70%, and those buying now are potentially looking at a staggering 76.4% gain by launch. But beyond that, analysts are whispering something crazy—a 19,876% surge could be on the horizon if it reaches the highs some expect post-launch. 

Let’s break down the six hottest Ethereum-based plays that are making noise right now, starting with the one that’s turning heads everywhere.

LILPEPE – The Meme Coin That Might Melt Faces

LILPEPE is selling tokens at $0.0017 in Stage 8 of its presale, which is already 94.36% filled. The total raised so far is an impressive $12.84 million, closing in fast on its $13.775 million cap. As soon as Stage 8 wraps up, the price will rise to $0.0018—a nearly 6% jump that keeps ticking upward until the token launches at $0.0030.

LILPEPE is built on a next-gen Layer 2 chain with ultra-low fees, blazing speed, and bot-resistant tech. Even better, it’s now officially listed on CoinMarketCap, giving it significant credibility in the eyes of skeptical investors.

Plus, a $777K giveaway is going on to build buzz. That kind of promotional energy drives community engagement, and community is everything in the meme coin world. And the craziest part? With a launch price of $0.0030 and big names already talking about it, LILPEPE could surge 19,876% from current presale levels if things align just right. That’s not just hope—that’s FOMO territory.

Chainlink (LINK) – The Steady Workhorse

LINK, currently priced at around $18.38, is like the glue holding much of DeFi together. It connects smart contracts to real-world data and powers everything from insurance to gaming. It’s not flashy, but if Ethereum thrives, so does Chainlink. Expect steady, healthy growth during ETH season—nothing meteoric, but reliable like an old friend.

Shiba Inu (SHIB) – Still Wagging

People love to hate on Shiba Inu, but here it is in 2025, still fighting. Priced at $0.00001404, it’s far from its 2021 highs, but it’s got a massive, loyal community, its own Layer 2 chain (Shibarium), and some smart utility moves. SHIB may not give you 100x again, but a solid 10–50% run during ETH season isn’t out of the question.

PEPE – The Comeback Frog

PEPE might’ve cooled off since its explosive debut, but with a price hovering at $0.000013, it still has room to pop. Meme coins are a different beast when ETH gets bullish, and PEPE has name recognition and community support to light the fuse again. If you’re into mid-tier risk, it might be your play.

Ethena (ENA) – Quietly Exploding

DeFi fans are paying attention to Ethena, which is now trading around $0.62. It’s not grabbing headlines, but it’s quietly delivering. Ethena offers innovative yield tools and token vaults, and with more institutional eyes on DeFi this year, ENA could easily double if the sector gets hot.

ONDO – Tokenizing the Real World

At $1.05, ONDO is doing something big—bringing real-world assets onto the blockchain. That means real estate and treasuries are being tokenized and traded like crypto. If yield remains a central narrative this season, ONDO could jump by 20–50%, maybe more if institutions start pouring in.

So, Where’s the Smart Money Going?

There’s no shortage of opportunities in this ETH-driven rally. LINK and ENA are no-brainers if you’re looking for solid tech and long-term stability. SHIB and PEPE could deliver quick wins if you want a community-fueled bounce. ONDO is your bet on real-world utility. But if you’re aiming for life-changing returns, LILPEPE is where your eyes should be. The presale is almost over, and once it hits exchanges, it’ll be game on. Whether it does a 2x, 10x, or shocks the world with that 19,876% climb, early backers will be laughing to the blockchain.