The Best Crypto to Buy for Long-Term Investors Right Now

By Neil Patel – Mar 22, 2026 at 11:11PM ESTKey PointsThe world's top digital asset is the best place for investors to direct their attention among the abundance of cryptocurrencies out there.Persistent currency debasement and never-ending rising debt levels are problems this crypto wants to fix.Despite the price drawdown, the fundamentals remain firmly intact.Despite its position as a multitrillion-dollar asset class, the cryptocurrency industry is still trying to prove itself as a viable place to park capital. Volatility remains a challenge. And there is no shortage of critics who still believe these digital assets serve no purpose. Even after considering these arguments, investors might want to test the waters for the sake of boosting the returns of their portfolios. Here's the best cryptocurrency that long-term investors should buy. Image source: Getty Images. Start with the world's prime digital asset According to coinmarketcap.com, there are tens of millions of different cryptocurrencies out there that make up this relatively new asset class. That huge figure can distract investors who are serious about where to allocate their hard-earned savings. In this situation, simplicity is key. Stick to the proven crypto that has developed a dominant position: Bitcoin (BTC 1.82%). Bitcoin has been around for more than 17 years, ever since its first block was mined in January 2009. This makes it the first cryptocurrency. Its market cap of $1.4 trillion (as of March 18) gives it almost 60% share of the entire industry. And the performance is phenomenal. In the past 10 years, Bitcoin's price has skyrocketed 18,000%. It has been one of the best assets that anyone could have owned this century. You might be wondering what problem Bitcoin solves. It was created to be a solution to the current monetary system, which has its own issues. These center on persistent currency debasement and monumental, ever-increasing amounts of sovereign debt. Bitcoin's absolute scarcity, shown by its hard supply cap of 21 million units, is its most compelling feature. It's also not controlled by a single entity, is completely decentralized, and has never been hacked. ExpandCRYPTO: BTCBitcoinToday's Change(-1.82%) $-1265.42Current Price$68189.00Key Data PointsMarket Cap$1.4TDay's Range$67564.00 - $69454.0052wk Range$60255.56 - $126079.89Volume29B Expect the volatility to continue, but the gains can be massive Because Bitcoin is an emerging monetary asset, the volatility isn't going away just yet. Over time, the price swings have gotten less extreme. However, the ups and downs are something long-term investors can't avoid. This isn't unique to Bitcoin. Some of the most impressive technology stocks over the past couple of decades, like Nvidia, Amazon, and Netflix, were extremely difficult to hold on to during times of intense volatility. As was the case with those disruptive businesses, patient investors will be rewarded in this situation. Bitcoin is currently trading 41% below its record price from about five months ago. But it has historically always recovered to reach newer all-time highs. Its fundamentals, particularly around network security, transaction volume, and adoption trends, are all in strong shape. Investors who can buy Bitcoin and hold for 10 years are setting themselves up for success.Read NextMar 22, 2026 •By Lyle DalyStock Market Crash: The Best Cryptocurrencies to Buy Right NowMar 22, 2026 •By Dominic Basulto2 Cryptocurrencies That Could Double Over the Next 5 YearsMar 22, 2026 •By Dominic BasultoIs It Too Late to Buy Bitcoin?Mar 22, 2026 •By Dominic BasultoBest Cryptocurrencies to Buy Right Now for Long-Term InvestorsMar 22, 2026 •By Alex CarchidiGot $1,500?

Is It Better to Buy Bitcoin, or Viking Therapeutics?Mar 22, 2026 •By Alex CarchidiBetter Asset to Buy Now With $500 and Hold for 3 Years: Bitcoin vs. GoldAbout the AuthorNeil Patel is a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst covering consumer staples, consumer discretionary, financials, information technology, and communication services. Prior to The Motley Fool, Neil worked in corporate finance roles at JPMorgan Chase and Capital One. He also has experience working on a start-up in the cryptocurrency space. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a specialization in finance from Ohio State University.TMFNeilPatelStocks MentionedBitcoinCRYPTO: BTC$68,189.00(-1.82%)-$1,265.42*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.