CoinGecko Releases Q1 2026 Crypto Industry Report

CoinGecko’s first-quarter 2026 crypto industry report focuses on volatility across global risk assets. Escalating geopolitical tensions and uncertainty over Federal Reserve policy weighed on markets, driving a sharp contraction in total cryptocurrency market capitalization as investors sought safety and liquidity cooled. The decline also highlighted weakening trading demand at centralized exchanges.

Bitcoin fell 22% from January through March 2026, underperforming crude oil, while centralized exchange (CEX) spot trading volume dropped 39% from the previous quarter. The stablecoin market also underwent a shake-up, with USDT supply posting a rare contraction. By contrast, perpetual decentralized exchange (Perp DEX) trading volume surged, making it one of the quarter’s few areas of growth.