The first-quarter of 2026 was brutal for the cryptocurrency industry.
Bitcoin had its worst Q1 since 2018 — closing the quarter at around $66,000 down over 20% from its New Year’s Day price of $87,000.
US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded saw monster outflows nearly $2 billion in the first two months, though March enjoyed a late-quarter reversal with $1.3 billion returning, DefiLlama data shows.
Still, there were plenty of positive milestones. Prediction markets blossomed amid the geopolitical turmoil, with Kalshi raising $1 billion and Polymarket not far behind at $600 million.
There was plenty of optimism on the regulatory side too. The Securities and Exchange Commission, and Commodities Futures Trading Commission reached a new deal to harmonise their crypto policies, ending years of “regulation by enforcement” jurisdictional battles.
Here are the key dates to keep in mind as companies prepare to announce their Q1 results.
Goldman Sachs, April 13
Goldman Sachs will report its Q1 2026 earnings on Monday, April 13, prior to the market open.
The firm’s earnings will likely give insight into how big banks are approaching crypto behind the scenes. While Goldman has been cautious publicly, it has expanded digital asset trading desks and blockchain experiments, as well as hiring for crypto-specific roles.
Markets will watch for comments on client demand for crypto exposure, tokenisation projects, and partnerships with blockchain firms. If Goldman reports rising interest, it suggests institutional investors are quietly increasing their involvement in crypto markets.
BlackRock, April 14
BlackRock’s first-quarter 2026 earnings report is expected before the New York Stock Exchange opens on Tuesday, April 14.
It will be closely watched as the world’s largest asset manager sits at the centre of institutional crypto adoption.
With $14 trillion under management, its strategy shapes how traditional finance enters digital assets. BlackRock has already pushed into Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs and its CEO Larry Fink continues to promote tokenisation — turning real-world assets into blockchain-based tokens.
Investors will look for updates on flows into its crypto-linked products and any expansion into tokenised funds. If BlackRock signals stronger demand, it reinforces the idea that crypto is becoming part of mainstream finance rather than a niche alternative market.
JPMorgan, April 14
JPMorgan Chase is set to announce its Q1 2026 results on April 14, with the earnings disclosure expected at 7:00am ET.
JPMorgan remains one of the most active investment banks in blockchain through its Kinexys platform and JPM Coin. Crypto industry watchers will look to the earnings call for signs about whether blockchain-based payments and tokenised assets are gaining traction.
The bank’s stance matters because it represents traditional finance adapting crypto technology without fully embracing public cryptocurrencies. Any growth in its blockchain services signals that crypto infrastructure is becoming embedded in the traditional financial system.
Robinhood, April 28
Robinhood has confirmed it will announce its first-quarter 2026 results on Tuesday, April 28, after markets close.
CEO Vlad Tenev and CFO Shiv Verma will host a video call at 5:00pm. ET, which will be live-streamed on the Robinhood app and YouTube.
The firm’s results are key for retail crypto demand. The platform is now a major gateway for everyday investors buying Bitcoin, Ethereum and other assets.
Investors will focus on crypto trading volumes, revenue from digital assets, and expansion into wallets or new tokens. Strong numbers would suggest retail interest is returning, while weak results could signal cooling enthusiasm among smaller investors.
Coinbase, Strategy, others
DL News has not seen confirmed dates for Q1 earnings reports from leading publicly-traded crypto companies including Coinbase, Strategy, Riot Platforms, or MARA Holdings.
Federal Reserve, April 28-29
The Federal Open Market Committee is scheduled to meet on April 28–29, 2026. The policy statement is expected on the second day of the meeting, followed by Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference.
The Fed’s decisions remain one of the biggest drivers of crypto prices. Interest rates affect liquidity — when money is cheap, crypto tends to rise; when rates are high, risk assets struggle.
Markets will watch for signals on rate cuts or continued tight policy. A softer tone could boost crypto, while a hawkish stance may pressure prices.
Global central banks, April 28-30
Central banks in Europe, the UK and Asia are also shaping crypto’s outlook. Their policies influence global liquidity and currency stability, which in turn affect demand for Bitcoin and stablecoins.
The Bank of Japan meets on April 28, Bank of Canada on April 29, European Central Bank on April 30, Bank of England on April 30.
Clarity Act deadline, late April
The Clarity Act, a key bill that would set rules for stablecoins and the wider crypto market, is heading for a crucial review in the Senate Banking Committee in the final weeks of April 2026. The Senate returns from its Easter break on April 13.
The bill has faced strong pushback from companies like Coinbase and Stripe because it includes language that would effectively ban passive yield on stablecoins — a move seen as favouring traditional banks over fintech firms.
The upcoming review will decide whether lawmakers can agree on issues such as how stablecoin rewards should work, how decentralised finance is treated, and how different tokens are classified.
Past updates on the bill have often triggered sharp short-term moves in crypto markets, especially for stablecoins and exchange-related stocks.
Lance Datskoluo is DL News’ Europe-based markets correspondent. Got a tip? Email him at lance@dlnews.com