Home topics news Investing News Investing The psychology test every crypto investor will face in 2026 Yajush Gupta January 5, 2026 As digital assets mature, Paul Quickenden from Swyftx explains why the smartest move investors can make is revisiting their plan and tuning out the noise. What’s happening: Digital assets closed 2025 with steady infrastructure growth rather than dramatic price movements. Stablecoins now power transactions rivalling Visa and PayPal, whilst regulatory frameworks have strengthened across major markets. Investors entering 2026 face a maturing market where fundamentals increasingly outweigh speculation. Why this matters: The shift from volatility-driven cycles to infrastructure-led growth requires investors to rethink their approach. Rather than chasing predictions, those who build disciplined frameworks and focus on long-term fundamentals are positioned to navigate 2026’s opportunities whilst avoiding emotional decision-making that typically undermines portfolio performance. Every January arrives with bold forecasts and dramatic headlines, yet markets rarely follow anyone’s script. For crypto investors, 2025 defied expectations by resisting the usual boom-bust rhythms and instead building momentum quietly behind the scenes. Paul Quickenden, Swyftx New Zealand Country Manager, observes that this calm was unexpected but healthy. “Stablecoins matured, infrastructure companies built relentlessly and regulatory pathways became clearer,” he says. “Momentum was building even when price action looked unexciting from the outside.” The industry moved decisively forward throughout 2025, even as price charts appeared unremarkable. Blockchains now process over 3,400 transactions per second, representing 100-fold growth over five years, whilst payment rails strengthened and stablecoins accounted for 30% of crypto transaction volume