As we head into mid-May, it's a common time for crypto investors to evaluate their holdings and scout for new opportunities.

This search is always on for the best cryptos to buy that could prompt some positive movement in a portfolio.

As we enter mid-May, many crypto investors are assessing their holdings and seeking fresh opportunities. The search is always on for the best cryprimes to buy that could spark some positive movement in a portfolio.

With that in mind, here are four coins currently gaining traction on social media might just offer a returns boost this month.

1. Ethereum (ETH)

You’ve likely seen that Ethereum (ETH) is back in the green. ETH has recently surged to its highest price since early March, sitting around $2,290 after a 20% jump in the past 24 hours. But what’s behind this rally?

A huge part of the story is the Pectra upgrade, which successfully went live on Wednesday. This is Ethereum’s most vital tune-up since the 2022 Merge, enhancing everything from staking efficiency and scalability to introducing a stronger deflationary mechanism.

It’s a fundamental boost that’s rebuilding investor confidence and sharpening Ethereum’s competitive edge. That’s prompted an uptick in demand for ETH – as evidenced by over $40 billion in spot trading volume in the past day.

Although it’s already an established name, Ethereum might be one of the best cryptos to buy in May if you want to boost your portfolio.

2. BTC Bull Token (BTCBULL)

BTC Bull Token (BTCBULL) is a pre-launch crypto that’s gone viral on social media. It’s an Ethereum-based project cleverly designed to give people a way to tap into Bitcoin’s potential price surges without needing to own BTC directly or get tangled up in derivatives.

BTCBULL has clearly captured attention, raising over $5.4 million in presale. Most of the excitement is around BTCBULL’s airdrops. When Bitcoin reaches $150K, $200K, and $250K, community members will receive real BTC into their wallets (along with extra BTCBULL).

On top of that, the project has a deflationary mechanism. A portion of the BTCBULL supply will be destroyed when Bitcoin reaches $125K, $175K, and $225K. Combine that with above-average staking rewards, and you can see why it’s creating buzz as a “fan token” for Bitcoin bulls.

Even the experts at 99Bitcoins believe BTCBULL can “100x” after listing. Time will tell whether that’s the case, but BTC Bull Token is clearly one to watch as its presale enters the final stretch.

3. Virtuals Protocol (VIRTUAL)

Virtuals Protocol (VIRTUAL) is a project that’s really capitalizing on the narratives around AI and blockchain tech. The VIRTUAL token has exploded recently, rocketing over 375% in the past month, and there’s solid reasoning behind the momentum.

A key driver appears to be interest from “smart money” – institutional investors have been accumulating VIRTUAL heavily. Plus, the Virtuals Protocol itself, which allows for the creation and tokenization of AI agents, recently launched its Genesis Launchpad.

This move has boosted investor confidence and participation in the Virtuals ecosystem. With the whole AI crypto sector looking bullish, VIRTUAL could be another of the best cryptos to buy for a portfolio boost this month.

4. Hyperliquid (HYPE)

Hyperliquid (HYPE) is shaking up the DEX space. It’s built on its own high-speed Layer-1 blockchain, boasting exciting features like zero gas fees for trades and a fully on-chain order book, which makes it stand out from the competition.

The platform’s Total Value Locked (TVL) – a good measure of user activity – has rocketed, jumping from around $230 million in early April to over $320 million today. On top of that, Hyperliquid just launched a new fee and staking system on Monday.

Users can now stake their HYPE to get trading fee discounts and other benefits, encouraging deeper engagement with the platform. It’s this mix of clever tech, user confidence, and new incentives that makes Hyperliquid another crypto to keep on your radar.