In the cryptocurrency market in 2026, people are not entering for the thrill, but for a clear goal – to preserve and grow their capital. However, the market has become more complex, and there are no universal recipes here. It is most difficult for those who want to invest in digital assets for the first time.

The BeInCrypto editorial team asked experts to share which cryptocurrency a beginner should buy in 2026. Here are the ideas our interlocutors shared.

It's worth starting with a strategy, not with a 'favorite coin'

Mupengnu Nzussi Kevin Grass, PhD in Economics and Associate Professor at Melitopol State University, emphasizes: for beginners, the main priority is safety, not searching for a 'miracle coin'. He highlights several basic rules:

  • the majority of the portfolio should be in stable assets;

  • it's better to buy regularly and in small amounts (DCA);

  • invest only an amount that you can afford to lose;

  • store assets in hardware wallets;

  • do not believe promises of 'guaranteed profits'.

Anton Shustikov, founder of CakesCats and crypto expert, agrees: discipline is more important than emotions. He advises entering the market in a 'stair-step' manner — equal shares at regular intervals and using only trusted platforms.

Georgy Topchishvili, director of the ABCEX crypto exchange, adds: most beginners lose money when trying to earn quickly. It's better for beginners to move calmly and without excessive risk.

The core of the portfolio is bitcoin and Ethereum

Dinar Faskhutdinov, founder of ALT3 Capital, considers a portfolio of bitcoin and Ethereum the most logical start for a beginner. The ratio between them depends on the willingness to take risks:

  • more bitcoin — a more conservative approach;

  • more Ethereum — higher potential returns, but also higher volatility.

He provides statistics: in 2025, 91% of altcoins fell, most of them by 50–70%. Even professionals find it difficult to outperform the market, and beginners have even less chance.

Mupengnu Nzussi Kevin Grass suggests a similar structure: 70–80% of the portfolio should consist of bitcoin and Ethereum as the market's base assets.

Georgy Topchishvili suggests supplementing this structure with USDT to reduce risks and maintain flexibility for future decisions.

Altcoins — only from large and understandable projects

Mupengnu Nzussi Kevin Grass believes that 20–30% of the portfolio can be distributed among large projects from the top-20 by market capitalization with real utility and a clear role in the ecosystem. As examples, he highlights:

  • Solana

  • Polkadot

  • BNB

Anton Shustikov suggests structuring work with the top-20:

  • 50% — among the top-3;

  • 40% — on projects ranked 4 to 10;

  • 10% — on assets ranked 11 to 20.

This way, one can supplement the portfolio without trying to 'guess'. Meme coins and dubious projects are not recommended by experts for beginners.

Conservative option: bitcoin + USDT

Georgy Topchishvili highlights a model understandable for cautious investors:

  • bitcoin — as the main asset;

  • USDT — as a stable part of the portfolio.

It's easier to endure volatility and make decisions without panic.

The best cryptocurrency for beginners

The percentages are calculated based on the number of experts who participated in the survey.

Experts also mentioned alternative ideas:

  • top-20 cryptocurrencies as the most reliable market segment (Mupengnu Nzussi Kevin Grass and Anton Shustikov);

  • CoinMarketCap index of the top-20 cryptocurrencies (Dinar Faskhutdinov);

  • development of Perpetual DEX infrastructure (Andrey Kozlov).

Options for slightly more experienced investors

Andrey Kozlov, co-founder of the Origami.tech platform, draws attention to the infrastructure direction — Perpetual DEX.

In short, these are decentralized platforms for trading derivatives on cryptocurrency, where transactions take place on the blockchain, and users retain control over their funds. This direction is growing due to the demand for on-chain solutions and liquidity. He highlights projects: Hyperliquid, Lighter, Aster, Extended, Pacifica, Paradex. Some already have tokens.

However, this is already a more complex market segment. It suits beginners only as a small part of the portfolio with an understanding of the risks.

Conclusions

It's time to summarize. Here are the investment tips for beginners shared by experts:

  • the most logical start for a beginner in 2026 is a portfolio of bitcoin and Ethereum;

  • USDT reduces risks and adds flexibility;

  • altcoins are permissible, but it's better to choose from large and understandable projects;

  • top-20 and index solutions are a convenient diversification option;

  • Perpetual DEX is a promising direction, but requires caution and experience;

  • discipline, gradual purchases, and realistic expectations are more important than any individual coin.

If needed — I can help edit the style for a specific media or publication format.

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