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Top 5 crypto questions of 2026 so far

Key takeaways

  • Crypto investing may make sense for long-term investors with a high risk tolerance, but it’s important to understand how it fits into your overall financial goals.
  • Crypto prices can be highly volatile and are influenced by economic conditions, regulations, adoption trends, global events, and investor sentiment.
  • A cryptocurrency’s value depends on factors such as utility, adoption, supply and demand, and confidence in its underlying technology.

Fidelity’s Covering Crypto Livestream is built directly around viewers’ crypto questions—and so far in 2026, a few key themes have risen to the top. Whether you’re just getting started with investing in crypto or looking to deepen your understanding, here are 5 of the most common questions investors have lately, along with answers and additional resources to help grow your crypto confidence.

Top 5 crypto questions of 2026

1. Is cryptocurrency a good investment now?

The answer depends on your broader money goals, how much risk you’re comfortable with, and how long you think you’ll remain invested in crypto. In other words, do you have years to ride out crypto’s ups and downs before you want to access the money? If you prefer more stable investments and don’t intend to stay invested for more than 3 years, crypto may not be right for you. If, however, you’re in it for the long haul and have a high risk tolerance, it could be the right time for you to invest in crypto. Check out these resources to help you determine whether to dive in now.

  • Learn crypto basics (what it is, how it works).
  • Understand the different types of crypto and their pros and cons. Also, explore different account types—like crypto IRAs—to understand what’s best for you.
  • Explore different coins’ white papers, aka documents that explain a crypto project’s purpose, technology, and economic model.
  • Bookmark definitions of common crypto terms so you can navigate all the jargon.
  • Sign up for the August episode, “Should I buy crypto right now?” to hear from Fidelity professionals on the topic.

After you do your research, if you feel you’re ready to invest, learn how to open a Fidelity Crypto® account.

2. What is the crypto and Bitcoin outlook for 2026 (and beyond)?

While no one can predict prices over the next 6 months or more, Fidelity pros suggest the 2026 market may be in a transition phase. That means there could be both risks and potential opportunities ahead. A few resources to watch:

3. Why is crypto so volatile—and what drives price movements?

Crypto’s rapid and dramatic price swings are one of its defining characteristics. Since crypto is still considered a relatively newer asset class, it’s still going through what analysts call its “price discovery” phase. That means prices can move quickly for many reasons, including:

  • US economic conditions, such as inflation, interest rate changes, and stock and bond market activity.
  • New and potential federal, state, and international regulations and laws.
  • Global events and conflicts.
  • Big companies or celebrities who endorse certain coins or buy a lot of crypto.
  • New crypto products.
  • Changes in who’s using crypto, and how. For instance, as more major firms buy and hold crypto, more retail investors could get involved.

As the crypto market matures, there may still be volatility, but those swings could become less dramatic.

4. When will Fidelity Crypto® have new coins available to trade?

As of this article’s publish date, Fidelity Digital Assets® does not have new coins launching in the near term, but the team is always considering new cryptocurrencies and additions to the platform. When Fidelity Digital Assets® considers adding new cryptocurrencies, the process involves a rigorous examination of the asset’s credibility in the broader market, including reviewing its track record and investor and institutional perception.

Another consideration is adoption: Are people actually using this coin? Is there a growing ecosystem around it?

A third big piece is the cryptocurrency’s value proposition: What is it designed to do, what problem does it solve or value does it create, and does it offer something meaningful or different in the crypto space?

The team also evaluates the overall regulatory environment when considering a new coin.

All of these elements work together to guide when—and whether—new coins may become available on Fidelity’s platform.

5. How does crypto have value, and what’s its real use?

Not all cryptocurrencies provide the same value. Some are considered vanity projects (think: certain meme coins), and others might be outright scams. You have to evaluate every cryptocurrency on its own merits. A cryptocurrency’s value ultimately comes down to a mix of supply and demand, its utility, and an overall belief in its underlying technology. Many cryptocurrencies also provide real-world uses such as the ability to:

  • Create new ways to access financial services and facilitate digital payments, without needing a bank or other middleman.
  • Act, as bitcoin does, as a store of value.
  • Support apps and tools that run on blockchain networks, as Ethereum does.

As more people use crypto and develop new projects, the reasons crypto has value may change, similar to other formerly new technologies. At the same time, crypto is still evolving, so its value can go up or down and may be less predictable.

Whether you’re exploring what cryptocurrency is or how it may fit into your overall investing strategy, taking the time to learn key concepts—like risk, volatility, and long-term potential—can help you make more informed decisions. As with any investment, it’s important to do your research, understand your goals, and consider how it fits within a diversified portfolio.

Fidelity’s Covering Crypto Livestream can help you better understand crypto terms and what’s happening right now in the markets. The monthly episodes focus on a range of topics and answer your questions (that you enter when you’re registering or in a chat while the episode is airing) live. Check out the livestream calendar and join the rest of the 2026 crypto conversations.

Trade with Fidelity Crypto®

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More to explore

Offerings and account features are subject to account eligibility.

Fidelity Crypto® is offered by Fidelity Digital Assets®.

Investing involves risk, including risk of total loss.

Crypto as an asset class is highly volatile, can become illiquid at any time, and is for investors with a high risk tolerance. Crypto may also be more susceptible to market manipulation than securities.  Crypto is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, or any other government agency, and is not an obligation of any bank. Investors in crypto do not benefit from the same regulatory protections applicable to registered securities.

Fidelity Crypto® accounts and custody and trading of crypto in such accounts are provided by Fidelity Digital Assets, National Association, which is a national trust bank.

Brokerage services in support of securities trading are provided by Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC (“FBS”), and related custody services are provided by National Financial Services LLC (“NFS”), each a registered broker-dealer and member NYSE and SIPC.

Neither FBS nor NFS offer crypto as a direct investment nor provide trading or custody services for such assets.

Fidelity Crypto and Fidelity Digital Assets are registered service marks of FMR LLC.

As with all your investments through Fidelity, you must make your own determination whether an investment in any particular digital asset/cryptocurrency is consistent with your investment objectives, risk tolerance, financial situation, and evaluation of the digital asset. Neither Fidelity nor any of its affiliates are recommending or endorsing these assets by making them available.

Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, Member NYSE, SIPC, 900 Salem Street, Smithfield, RI 02917

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