Three major AI models clashed over which cryptocurrency will lead October, agreeing only on the loser while splitting sharply on the winner as a billion-dollar merger and 11 straight weeks of ETF inflows set up a collision course between two…
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In a recent analysis, ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok evaluated four cryptocurrencies—XRP (CRYPTO: XRP), Solana (CRYPTO: SOL), Hyperliquid (CRYPTO: HYPE), and NEAR (CRYPTO: NEAR)—to determine which might finish October 2026 on top. While they unanimously ranked NEAR last, their predictions for the top spot differed, leading to an XRP vs. Solana showdown.
ChatGPT and Grok both favored XRP, while Claude leaned towards Solana. However, all three models expressed hesitancy, with confidence levels hovering below 60%. ChatGPT assigned XRP a 55% chance of success, Grok gave it 58%, and Claude indicated a 45% chance for Solana, showing that even their top picks came with caution.
Here’s a summary of each model’s month-end forecast based on starting prices of approximately $1.50 for XRP, $118 for Solana, $87 for Hyperliquid, and $5.27 for NEAR:
| Coin | ChatGPT | Claude | Grok |
|---|---|---|---|
| XRP | +20% to $1.80 | +8% to $1.62 | +14% to $1.71 |
| Solana | +18% to $139 | +12% to $132 | +9% to $129 |
| Hyperliquid | +14% to $99 | +3% to $90 | +3% to $90 |
| NEAR | +8% to $5.69 | -12% to $4.64 | -16% to $4.43 |
Why AI Ranked Hyperliquid Third and NEAR Last for October
Among the four cryptocurrencies, Hyperliquid earned a third-place spot, as all three models agreed on its ranking. Claude pointed out that even if Hyperliquid reached $90, it would still be about 8% below its September high of $98, citing over $20 million in selling activity by large investors, or “whales,” who can significantly impact prices.
Grok interpreted the recent listing on Binance as a “sell-the-news” event, where traders who bought in anticipation of the news sold off after it was announced.
Moreover, all three models placed NEAR at the bottom of their lists. On the very first day of October, NEAR took a hit after NEAR Intents, a cross-chain service built on the NEAR platform, reported a significant exploit involving a software bug that cost $3.8 million. This issue caused NEAR’s price to drop 9.5% in just 24 hours to $4.78, down from the $5.27 price point the models used for their predictions.
Despite the setback, Grok noted that the NEAR team fixed the bug swiftly, and most losses occurred in a single stablecoin on one chain. ChatGPT emphasized that the issue affected NEAR Intents, not the NEAR blockchain itself, and reassured that NEAR Intents offered full compensation for affected users. The models ultimately agreed that the loss was minor compared to NEAR’s broader market value, which sits between $6 billion and $7 billion.
Claude highlighted that NEAR had surged 160% to 187% in the 30 days leading up to the exploit, making it particularly vulnerable to profit-taking. This context contributed to Claude’s forecast of $4.64 for the month-end, which was only 14 cents away—about 3%—from NEAR’s actual price on the first day.
XRP’s Evernorth Listing vs. Solana’s 11 Weeks of ETF Inflows
The competition for the top position hinges on XRP’s upcoming event versus Solana’s steady inflows from exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Evernorth, an XRP treasury company, expects to finalize its merger on October 7, involving around 473 million XRP worth approximately $719 million, with trading set to commence on Nasdaq as XRPN on October 8.
All three models estimated that the deal could ultimately raise over $1 billion in total, including roughly $300 million in cash. Claude outlined a scenario in which the company might acquire about 600 million XRP, worth about $900 million at $1.50, though Evernorth has yet to confirm such a plan. Even so, Claude ranked XRP only second.
In contrast, Solana’s upward momentum is attributed to the sustained buying activity in its ETFs, which has consistently drawn in new investments. ChatGPT noted that Solana funds have attracted money for 11 consecutive weeks, including an impressive inflow of $188 million in the last week of September, now aggregating about $1.5 billion. Grok also referenced the same substantial inflow period.
ChatGPT, Claude and Grok Split by 24 Points on NEAR
The models’ forecasts for NEAR show a wide discrepancy, ranging from an estimated 8% gain to a 16% loss, even though they all reacted to the same news. Remember, these models lack a solid track record as forecasting tools, and their figures reflect their own assessments rather than definitive price movements.
Each cryptocurrency also carries distinct risk factors. NEAR has risen 182.1% in the past month and 252.2% this year, while XRP and Solana are down significantly—48.6% and 45%, respectively—over the past year. As of October 2, XRP was trading near $1.52, while Solana was around $122, with Solana about 3.5% above the models’ initial price and XRP about 1.3% above.
XRP vs. Solana: Which Coin Is Most Likely to Lead October?
XRP arguably has the best chance to outperform the other cryptocurrencies this October, thanks to the anticipated Evernorth merger and the XRPN listing later in the month. Solana’s consistent fund inflows are promising, but they lack the urgency of a scheduled event. XRP has also shown resilience, having gained 33.7% over the last 90 days and climbing back above the models’ $1.50 starting price.
However, these projections come with uncertainty. XRP’s success relies on completing the merger on October 7 and launching the XRPN shares on October 8.
The decline in Hyperliquid’s price after its Binance listing shows how major events can hurt prices. NEAR has also shown rebound potential, recently gaining 16% even after the exploit. If the Evernorth merger is delayed or falls short of expectations, could we see a shift favoring Claude’s Solana prediction over XRP?
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