I Asked ChatGPT Which Cryptocurrency Will Make You Rich in 2026 — The Answer Was Surprising
Written by
Jordan Rosenfeld
Edited by
Molly Sullivan
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Cryptocurrency is either touted as the next big thing to make you rich or the riskiest investment ever. Yet despite its volatility and constant controversy, many investors continue to find ways to profit in the crypto space.
If someone realistically wanted to get rich via cryptocurrency in 2026, which one is most likely to make that possible, and how? I asked ChatGPT to break it down for me, given the current state of crypto. It made clear that its answer does not constitute financial advice, but rather “a structured way to think about the opportunity and risk.”
What ‘Getting Rich’ Might Realistically Mean
ChatGPT took a realistic look at what “getting rich” actually means in the crypto space. It was clear that it doesn’t mean “guaranteed 100% returns by New Year,” as the crypto market is extremely volatile, risky and speculative.
Realistic goals might look like a 5% to 10% return on your core position — the main portion of your crypto portfolio held in more established assets like bitcoin or ethereum that you plan to keep long term. You might also see a larger potential return on a smaller “moonshot” allocation — a high-risk, high-reward investment in a newer or less proven coin that could spike in value but could just as easily wipe out, too.
Analysts place wide predictions even on the giants. For example, bitcoin (BTC) is forecasted to be valued between $100,000 and $200,000 in 2026.
Which Coins Have the Best Shot
Based on current expert commentary and fundamentals, ChatGPT said there are two categories of coins with the best shot at making you rich across two strategies.
1. The ‘Core’ Long-Term Plays
Unsurprisingly, bitcoin (BTC), the most well-known coin, remains the leading choice. Many forecasts assume it will stay dominant. However, ethereum (ETH), the runner-up, is seen as more utility-based, and some analysts believe it may outperform BTC in certain phases.
In either case, these coins are less about “getting rich quick” and more about a reasonable chance of strong returns at moderate risk, the AI said.
2. Higher-Risk, Higher-Return ‘Altcoins’
Some investors are turning to altcoins — smaller cryptocurrencies outside of bitcoin and ethereum — that could see bigger short-term gains. Coins like XRP and Solana are getting attention for their performance potential, though they come with higher risk, ChatGPT noted. Even newer projects, especially those combining AI and blockchain, promise sky-high returns, but most are highly speculative. Forecasts of 500% profits make headlines, but in reality, very few ever deliver.
ChatGPT’s Best ‘Realistic Bet’ for 2026
When pressed to decide, the AI said that if it had to pick one single coin with the most likely chance of delivering a strong, though not guaranteed, return by 2026, it would lean toward ethereum (ETH).
I was surprised by this answer, expecting it to say the tried-and-true bitcoin. Here’s why it chose ethereum:
- It has strong fundamentals (smart-contract platform, NFT ecosystem).
- It’s less speculative than very new tokens.
- If crypto adoption continues and regulation improves, ETH stands to benefit significantly.
That said, “getting rich” in the sense of turning a small stake into huge wealth is still a long shot, even with ETH.
How To Increase Your Odds
Though the AI insisted it isn’t giving financial advice, it did offer a “checklist” of practices for those serious about improving their odds of success in the crypto space:
- Allocate only what you can afford to lose: Crypto can swing wildly. Big gains are possible, but so are big losses.
- Diversify: Don’t put 100% into one token. Consider allocating 60% to “core plays” like BTC or ETH and 40% to higher-risk altcoins.
- Time horizon and plan: If your target is the end of 2026, think of this as 12-18 months from now. Plan for volatility and possibly needing to hold through a downturn.
- Watch narratives and fundamentals: Key drivers include regulation, institutional adoption, network upgrades and real-world usage. For example, ETH is supported by strong utility, while BTC benefits from institutional flows.
- Be ready for regulatory and macro risk: Crypto is heavily influenced by interest rates, monetary policy and regulatory crackdowns or approvals.
- Exit strategy: Decide in advance what return will trigger profit-taking. Having clear rules helps avoid emotional decisions.
Why It’s Still Very Hard
Even with all of that in mind, ChatGPT warned that the “easy wins” in crypto are gone. Many of the big returns from earlier cycles have already occurred. You also need a significant amount of money invested to see meaningful returns — and a “moonshot” bet means you could just as easily lose it all. Additionally, many altcoins are extremely speculative, with weak fundamentals or minimal adoption.
In short, getting rich from crypto in 2026 is possible — but it’s far more likely to reward patience, discipline and strategy than luck or hype.
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