INJ, the native token of the Injective Protocol, was priced at $21.79 at the time of writing, showing a slight decline from its recent peak of $23.21. However, this dip is notable given Injective's sustained upward trajectory, largely attributed to the anticipation surrounding the upcoming Volan upgrade and the increasing market share of Helix, the primary decentralized exchange hosting INJ. As Helix captures a larger share of the market, the accessibility of the token among crypto enthusiasts is expected to increase, signaling a potential boost in trading activity and utility.

While INJ is primarily oriented towards the financial sector, its trading prices have caught the attention of many traders, prompting them to consider adding it to their portfolios.

Injective's market capitalization has risen by 15.45%, and its 24-hour trading volume has surged by 163.11%, elevating it to the 40th position among cryptocurrencies. This surge in momentum can be attributed to the recognition of three crucial elements: speed, interoperability, and stability, which Injective protocol absorbs from various networks such as Solana, Ethereum, and Cosmos, respectively.

Helix recently recorded transactions worth $33.9 million, solidifying its position as the 28th largest decentralized exchange globally. Additionally, Injective's name service has garnered over 3,000 registrations, indicating its growing prominence in the industry.

The forthcoming Volan upgrade is expected to further enhance Injective's capabilities, enabling it to handle over 10,000 transactions per second with unmatched efficiency and speed while maintaining network security and transparency. Although the exact date of the upgrade remains uncertain, it is tentatively scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.

Despite predictions dating back to November 30, 2023, the Volan upgrade has yet to materialize. However, INJ continues to hover around the $22 mark, showing a rise of approximately 17.16% in the last 24 hours and an impressive surge of 1215.85% over the past year. Predictions for INJ's price suggest a potential year-end value of $86.53 by 2030 if the current momentum is sustained, surpassing the initial high of $18.96 for the year.

Injective protocol has also witnessed a surge in on-chain transactions and block production, with figures reaching 364 million and 54 million, respectively. Notably, prominent developers like Black Panther, Mito, Helix, and Talis are now hosted by the Injective protocol.

With INJ consistently remaining above all moving averages, the next significant milestone to monitor is the $24–$25 range. Although an exact timeline is unavailable, the community can anticipate this level to potentially be breached by mid-2024, signaling further bullish sentiment for INJ.