NOIDA (CoinChapter.com) — Amid a challenging market environment, Cortex (CTXC), Horizen (ZEN), and USUAL tokens are bucking the trend with rallies driven by technological advancements, strategic updates, and growing investor interest. These rallies highlight the impact of recent technological innovations and ecosystem updates, reflecting investor optimism in their practical applications.

Cortex (CTXC): AI Integration Sparks Demand

Cortex (CTXC) has rallied sharply today, driven by breakthroughs in its AI-integrated blockchain technology and recent advancements in MIPS compilation and ZkRollup. The project benefitted from updates related to enhanced scalability and efficiency for AI models. The resulting investor interest helped the token spike over 47% on Dec 20 to reach a daily high near $0.353 before paring gains.

CTXCUSD daily price chart with RSI. Source: Tradingview

The CTXC USD pair failed to cross above the 100-day EMA (blue) resistance near $0.366. Furthermore, the Cortex token faces resistance from its 200-day EMA (green) near $0.32, which the bulls failed to conquer despite the token’s price spike on Dec. 20.

On the other hand, a reversal from here would find bulls scrambling to keep CTXC prices above the support level near $0.255. Failure of this support level could see the Cortex token price test the support near $0.214 before recovering.

Meanwhile, the relative strength index for the token remained neutral, with a score of around 42.

The market’s strong response underscores growing confidence in Cortex’s role in advancing AI applications within the blockchain ecosystem, solidifying its appeal amid broader market uncertainty. The platform’s recent advancements in MIPS compilation and ZkRollup technology have positioned it as a leader in decentralized AI. These updates promise improved scalability and efficiency for AI models, a feature highly attractive to developers and enterprises.

Horizen (ZEN): Privacy Features Draw Attention

Horizen (ZEN) has emerged as a rare gainer, benefiting from recent enhancements to its sidechain protocol. These upgrades focus on scalability and efficiency, addressing the increasing demand for privacy-driven blockchain solutions. Additionally, adopting its ZenDAO governance framework has boosted community participation, while liquidity has surged due to its recent listing on Asia-Pacific exchanges.

Horizon introduced its 2.0 version recently.

With privacy becoming a crucial focus in the digital age, ZEN’s developments have positioned it as a top choice for investors seeking innovation in secure and scalable blockchain solutions. These cues helped the token register a spike on a relatively bearish day, similar to the Cortex token.

The token rose more than 21% on Dec. 20 to reach a daily high near $19.23. However, the resistance near $20 rebuffed ZEN price rally. If bulls manage to break past the immediate resistance, ZEN price could rise to the resistance near $23.1 before correcting.

ZENUSD daily price chart with RSI. Source: Tradingview

However, if the rally fails, ZEN price would be forced to test the support levels near $15.5 and $12.8 before recovering.

The RSI for ZEN remained at the threshold of the overbought region, with a score near 69.99.

USUAL: A Stablecoin Ecosystem Flourishes

USUAL, the governance token of the Usual protocol, has surged today following its Binance listing earlier this week, a move that expanded its global accessibility and trading volume significantly. This development has broadened the token’s reach and attracted global investor interest. The Usual protocol’s approach to stablecoins—collateralized by real-world assets like U.S. Treasury Bills—has reinforced its reputation for stability and innovation.

Moreover, Its USD0++ product, offering staking rewards with liquidity, cemented the project’s appeal in the DeFi space. Today’s rally underscores market confidence in USUAL coin’s growing adoption.

USUALUSDT daily price chart with RSI. Source: Tradingview

If the USUAL coin price continues its rally, it would likely face resistance near $1.8 and $2.24, reaching either marking a new ATH for the token. However, given the thin daily candle that the token formed on Dec. 20, it is likely that traders might be booking profits. Moreover, the overbought RSI level, with a score close to 90, would likely add bearish pressure against the token.

As such, USUAL coin price risks a drop to the support levels near $1.2 and $0.8.