Below you'll find the top 32 investing trends for 2026, spotted by Rising Trends's trend radar algorithm.
These topics were detected from online sources including TikTok, X (Twitter), Instagram, Reddit, news outlets, and Google Search data. Each trend has at least 1,000+ monthly searches and over 20% year-over-year growth.
Top 32 Fastest-Growing Investing Trends
All investing trends with over 20% year-over-year growth, ranked by search volume.
For a breakdown of how we spot these movements before they peak, see our guide on Google Trends for market research where we explain our methodology.
1. Prediction Markets Go Mainstream
The line between investing and betting is dissolving. "Kalshi" has exploded with 823,000 monthly searches and +1,932% year-over-year growth, while "Is Kalshi legit" captures 22,200 searches with +1,288% YoY growth. Federally regulated prediction markets are becoming a new asset class.
Kalshi
823KVolume
822x5Y
Is Kalshi Legit
22KVolume
22199x5Y
Kalshi lets you trade contracts on real-world outcomes—elections, economic data, weather events—with each correct prediction paying $1. Sports betting infrastructure is being repurposed for financial speculation.
Why Prediction Markets Are Exploding
Event trading is surging because:
Regulatory clarity: Kalshi is CFTC-regulated, giving it legitimacy that offshore prediction markets lack
Sports betting normalization: Americans are now comfortable betting on outcomes; prediction markets are the next logical step
Robinhood partnership: Integration with mainstream brokerages exposes millions of retail investors to event contracts
Information markets: Prediction markets are proving more accurate than polls for elections and economic forecasts
Engagement model: Trading on outcomes you understand (Will it rain tomorrow? Who wins the Super Bowl?) feels more accessible than stock analysis
The prediction market is the gamification of investing—and it's working.
What's Gaining Momentum
Kalshi (823,000 searches, +1,932% YoY) – The only CFTC-regulated prediction market in the U.S., offering contracts on politics, economics, sports, and pop culture events. Recently partnered with Robinhood for sports betting expansion.
Is Kalshi Legit (22,200 searches, +1,288% YoY) – Trust validation phase. High search volume indicates mainstream consumers are evaluating the platform, not just crypto-native traders.
Key Players
Kalshi – Federally regulated prediction market with Robinhood integration
Polymarket – Crypto-based prediction market (not available to U.S. users)
PredictIt – Academic prediction market with limited contract sizes
Manifold Markets – Play-money prediction market for crowd forecasting
2. Bitcoin Institutionalization via ETFs
Bitcoin is entering retirement accounts through the front door. "MSTR Stock" (MicroStrategy) captures 823,000 monthly searches with +309% two-year growth, while "IBIT" (BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF) generates 135,000 searches. The largest asset manager in the world now sells Bitcoin exposure to your 401(k).
Mstr Stock
823KVolume
+648%5Y
Ibit
135KVolume
187x5Y
Blok
41KVolume
+309%5Y
Spot Bitcoin ETFs launched in January 2024 and have accumulated over $50 billion in assets. Bitcoin is no longer a fringe asset—it's a portfolio allocation decision.
Why Bitcoin ETFs Changed Everything
Institutional Bitcoin is surging because:
Regulatory blessing: SEC approval of spot ETFs legitimized Bitcoin as an investable asset class
Brokerage access: Any investor with a Fidelity, Schwab, or Vanguard account can now buy Bitcoin exposure
Retirement eligibility: Bitcoin ETFs can be held in IRAs and 401(k)s, creating tax-advantaged crypto exposure
BlackRock credibility: When the world's largest asset manager offers a product, financial advisors take notice
The debate about whether Bitcoin is a legitimate investment is over. The question now is allocation percentage.
What's Gaining Momentum
MSTR Stock (823,000 searches, +309% 2Y) – MicroStrategy has transformed from a software company into a Bitcoin treasury vehicle. Its stock offers leveraged exposure to Bitcoin price movements, with a 197% one-year return.
IBIT (135,000 searches, +5,525% 2Y) – BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust is the largest spot Bitcoin ETF with over $50 billion in assets. It mirrors Bitcoin's price by holding actual Bitcoin.
BLOK ETF (40,500 searches, +309% YoY) – Amplify's Transformational Data Sharing ETF invests in blockchain technology companies, offering diversified exposure beyond just Bitcoin.
CoreWeave Stock (550,000 searches, +12,400% YoY) – GPU cloud infrastructure company that powers AI and crypto mining. Its IPO generated massive investor interest in the picks-and-shovels play.
Key Players
iShares (IBIT) – BlackRock's spot Bitcoin ETF, largest by AUM
MicroStrategy – Public company holding 200,000+ Bitcoin on its balance sheet
Gold has broken $4,000 per ounce, and investors are piling in. "Gold Bullion" generates 301,000 monthly searches with +1,011% year-over-year growth, while "Silver/SIVR" captures 673,000 searches with +235% YoY growth. Geopolitical uncertainty is driving a historic flight to physical assets.
Gold Bullion
301KVolume
13x5Y
Silver
673KVolume
+235%5Y
Sivr
673KVolume
+235%5Y
The precious metals rally isn't just inflation hedging—it's a bet on geopolitical instability and de-dollarization trends.
Why Precious Metals Are Surging
Safe haven demand is exploding because:
Geopolitical tensions: Wars, sanctions, and great power competition are driving demand for non-sovereign assets
Central bank buying: China, Russia, and other nations are accumulating gold to reduce dollar dependence
Inflation memory: The 2021-2023 inflation spike reminded investors why hard assets matter
Industrial demand: Silver's role in solar panels and electronics adds a growth thesis to its store-of-value function
When trust in institutions erodes, physical gold and silver become the ultimate flight to safety.
What's Gaining Momentum
Gold Bullion (301,000 searches, +1,011% YoY) – Physical gold bars and coins in high demand as prices surge above $4,000 per ounce. Investors want tangible assets they can hold.
Silver/SIVR (673,000 searches, +235% YoY) – SIVR is abrdn's Physical Silver Shares ETF, providing low-cost exposure to physical silver. Silver benefits from both safe-haven and industrial demand (EVs, solar).
CRB Commodity Index (40,500 searches, +174% 6M) – Broader commodity exposure is gaining attention as investors hedge against inflation and supply disruptions.
JM Bullion – Popular gold and silver dealer with competitive premiums
Sprott – Precious metals ETFs with physical backing and audited reserves
Goldmoney – Digital platform for buying, storing, and spending precious metals
4. IPO Fever & Pre-IPO Access
Retail investors are hunting the next trillion-dollar listing. "SpaceX IPO" captures 165,000 monthly searches with +1,264% year-over-year growth, while "CoreWeave Stock" generates 550,000 searches with +12,400% YoY growth. The biggest private companies are preparing to go public, and investors want in early.
Spacex Ipo
165KVolume
13x5Y
Coreweave Stock
550KVolume
54999x5Y
Starlink Ipo
27KVolume
+311%5Y
Wealthfront Ipo
22KVolume
84x5Y
SpaceX's anticipated $800 billion to $1.5 trillion valuation would make it the largest IPO in history. Retail investors are positioning now.
Why IPO Fever Is Raging
Pre-IPO interest is surging because:
Mega-company pipeline: SpaceX, Starlink, Stripe, and other giants have delayed going public, building anticipation
AI infrastructure demand: CoreWeave's IPO showed appetite for picks-and-shovels AI plays
Secondary market access: Platforms like EquityZen let accredited investors buy pre-IPO shares
FOMO from past misses: Investors who missed early Amazon, Google, or Tesla want to catch the next one
Fintech maturation: Wealthfront, Chime, and other neobanks are finally reaching public markets
The IPO window is reopening after years of drought, and retail investors are lining up.
What's Gaining Momentum
SpaceX IPO (165,000 searches, +1,264% YoY) – Elon Musk's space company is expected to go public in 2026, with valuations ranging from $800 billion to $1.5 trillion. Would be the largest IPO in history.
Starlink IPO (27,100 searches, +1,594% 6M) – SpaceX's satellite internet division may spin off separately, with valuations speculated at $80-300 billion.
CoreWeave Stock (550,000 searches, +12,400% YoY) – GPU cloud infrastructure company that IPO'd on NASDAQ under ticker CRWV. Powers AI workloads for major tech companies.
Wealthfront IPO (22,200 searches, +12,959% YoY) – Digital wealth management platform confidentially filed for U.S. IPO, signaling fintech's return to public markets.
Hedge fund tools are going retail. "Lucid Trading" has exploded with 60,500 monthly searches and +302,400% year-over-year growth, while "Moomoo" captures 135,000 searches with +123% two-year growth. Proprietary trading firms are funding retail traders, and AI is generating trade signals for the masses.
Lucid Trading
61KVolume
46x5Y
Moomoo
135KVolume
+82%5Y
Apex Trading
22KVolume
21x5Y
The $28 billion AI trading market is projected to reach $64 billion by 2028. What once required a Bloomberg terminal now fits in an app.
Why AI Trading Is Democratizing
Algorithmic trading is going mainstream because:
Prop firm explosion: Companies like Lucid Trading fund traders with simulated capital, taking a cut of profits
Zero-commission APIs: Brokerages like Moomoo offer free trading plus AI-powered analytics
Copy trading normalization: Following successful traders is now as easy as following an Instagram account
GPU cost collapse: Cheaper compute makes AI signal generation accessible to startups
Social trading culture: Gen Z expects to see others' trades and strategies, not research in isolation
The prop trading model—where firms provide capital and traders provide skill—is creating a new class of retail professionals.
What's Gaining Momentum
Lucid Trading (60,500 searches, +302,400% YoY) – Proprietary trading firm offering instant simulated capital ($50K or $150K) with clear rules and efficient payout systems. Fast funding model attracting aspiring traders.
Apex Trading (22,200 searches, +124% 2Y) – Futures trading funding platform with attractive payout structures for funded traders.
Economic Calendar (110,000 searches, +809% 5Y) – Traders increasingly rely on scheduled economic data releases to time trades, indicating more sophisticated retail strategies.
Key Players
Lucid Trading – Prop firm with instant funding and clear payout rules
Moomoo – Commission-free trading with AI analytics
TradingView – Charting and social trading platform with signal integration
6. Retirement DIY & Financial Calculators
Consumers are self-managing their retirement math. "Investment Calculator" generates 550,000 monthly searches, while "RMD Distribution Calculator" captures 165,000 searches with +123% six-month growth. The $17 billion retirement-tech market is growing at 13% annually as people take control of their financial futures.
Investment Calculator
550KVolume
+83%5Y
Rmd Distribution Calculator
165KVolume
+123%5Y
401 K Calculator
165KVolume
+22%5Y
Coast Fire Calculator
27KVolume
20x5Y
From FIRE movement devotees to retirees managing required distributions, Americans are modeling their financial lives without advisors.
Why DIY Retirement Is Surging
Self-directed retirement planning is growing because:
Advisor cost skepticism: 1% annual fees compound to massive losses over decades; calculators are free
FIRE movement influence: Financial Independence, Retire Early culture normalizes obsessive number-crunching
Information abundance: YouTube, Reddit, and blogs provide the education; calculators provide the math
Control desire: Post-2008 distrust of financial institutions persists; people want to verify themselves
The financial advisor isn't dead, but the uninformed client certainly is.
What's Gaining Momentum
Investment Calculator (550,000 searches, +83% 5Y) – Generic tools estimating portfolio growth over time. Used for goal-setting and contribution planning.
RMD Distribution Calculator (165,000 searches, +123% 6M) – Required Minimum Distribution calculators help retirees determine mandatory annual withdrawals from tax-deferred accounts (IRAs, 401(k)s).
Coast FIRE Calculator (27,100 searches, +1,985% 5Y) – Determines when you can stop investing and still reach retirement goals through compound growth alone. Key tool in the FIRE movement.
Roth Conversion Calculator (9,900 searches, +175% 5Y) – Models tax implications of converting traditional IRA to Roth IRA, critical for tax-bracket optimization.
Ramsey Investment Calculator (22,200 searches, +1,068% 5Y) – Dave Ramsey's tool for retirement projections, popular among debt-free community.
Key Players
Vanguard Calculators – Comprehensive retirement planning tools from low-cost leader
Bankrate – Broad financial calculator suite for CD, mortgage, and retirement planning
NewRetirement – Sophisticated retirement planning software with scenario modeling
FIRECalc – Monte Carlo simulations for early retirement planning
7. Meme Coins & The Crypto Speculation Layer
Solana has become the casino chain. "Pump.fun" captures 14,800 monthly searches with +147,900% two-year growth, while "Meme Coins" generates 14,800 searches with +2,408% five-year growth. A speculative gambling layer has been built on top of institutional crypto infrastructure.
Pump Fun
15KVolume
14799x5Y
Meme Coins
15KVolume
24x5Y
Dex Screener
15KVolume
492x5Y
Solona
135KVolume
152x5Y
DeFi's total value locked sits at $92 billion, but the action is increasingly in meme coin casinos where tokens are created, pumped, and abandoned in hours.
Why Meme Coins Persist
Crypto gambling thrives because:
Low barrier to entry: Pump.fun lets anyone create a token in minutes for minimal cost
Lottery ticket appeal: Small bets can 100x overnight, attracting risk-seeking gamblers
Community as product: Meme coins are sold on vibes, humor, and social belonging—not utility
Solana's speed: Fast, cheap transactions make rapid trading viable in ways Ethereum can't match
Crypto-native entertainment: For many, trading meme coins is the game, not a means to an end
Meme coins aren't a bug in crypto—they're a feature that drives engagement and onboarding.
What's Gaining Momentum
Pump.fun (14,800 searches, +147,900% 2Y) – Solana-based platform enabling instant token creation and trading. High volume despite most tokens failing to reach exchange listings.
Meme Coins (14,800 searches, +2,408% 5Y) – Cryptocurrencies inspired by internet memes, characterized by community hype and extreme volatility. Includes Dogecoin descendants and political tokens.
Dex Screener (14,800 searches, +49,233% 5Y) – Real-time analytics platform for tracking new token launches and trading activity across decentralized exchanges.
Solana (135,000 searches, +2,400% 2Y) – High-performance blockchain that has become the default home for meme coin trading due to speed and low fees.
BMNR (135,000 searches, +64,186% YoY) – BitMine Immersion Technologies, a sustainable Bitcoin mining company attracting ESG-conscious crypto investors.
Toys, trading cards, and virtual items are becoming asset classes. "Pop Mart" generates 1,220,000 monthly searches with +1,549% two-year growth, while "Charizard UPC" captures 165,000 searches with +1,567% YoY growth. Younger investors are betting on what they know and love.
Popmart
1220KVolume
100x5Y
Charizard Upc
165KVolume
164999x5Y
Logan Paul Pokémon Card
33KVolume
10x5Y
Jailbreak Values
33KVolume
33099x5Y
From blind-box designer toys to graded Pokémon cards, collectibles combine hobby passion with speculative upside. Logan Paul's million-dollar card purchases legitimized the asset class.
Why Collectible Investing Is Growing
Alternative assets are trending because:
Generational wealth transfer: Millennials and Gen Z invest in what they grew up with—Pokémon, not paintings
Financialization of everything: If it has scarcity, someone will create a market for it
Social proof from celebrities: Logan Paul, Gary Vee, and others normalize treating cards as investments
Grading infrastructure: PSA, CGC, and other services create standardized quality tiers for price discovery
Emotional connection: Investing in childhood nostalgia feels better than investing in ticker symbols
Pop Mart's success—a Chinese toy company with over 1 million monthly searches—shows this isn't just an American phenomenon.
What's Gaining Momentum
Pop Mart (1,220,000 searches, +1,549% 2Y) – Chinese collectible toy brand selling blind-box designer figures. High-profile collaborations and growing secondary market appeal to collectors and investors alike.
Charizard UPC (165,000 searches, +1,567% YoY) – Ultra Premium Collection boxes featuring Charizard are among the most valuable sealed Pokémon products. Collectors treat them as alternative assets.
Logan Paul Pokémon Card (33,100 searches, +1,969% YoY) – The influencer's acquisition and auction of rare PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator cards generated massive attention for high-end Pokémon investing.
Jailbreak Values (33,100 searches, +174% YoY) – Trading benchmarks for Roblox Jailbreak game items, showing virtual economies are now tracked like financial markets.
Key Players
PSA – Professional Sports Authenticator, leading trading card grading service
Pop Mart – Designer collectible toy brand with global retail presence
TCGplayer – Marketplace for trading card games with price tracking
Whatnot – Live auction platform for collectibles and trading cards
StockX – Resale marketplace expanding from sneakers to collectibles
Summary
The investing landscape of 2026 reveals a market being reshaped by democratization, speculation, and distrust of traditional gatekeepers. Whether investors are betting on outcomes (Kalshi +1,932% YoY), accessing Bitcoin through ETFs (MSTR +309% 2Y), fleeing to gold (+1,011% YoY), or trading meme coins (Pump.fun +147,900% 2Y)—the common thread is direct access without intermediaries.
The winning investment strategies of 2026 share these characteristics:
Prediction over analysis – Event contracts and outcome betting are becoming investment vehicles
Institutionalization of crypto – Bitcoin ETFs put digital assets in retirement accounts
Physical asset revival – Gold and silver demand signals distrust in paper assets
Pre-IPO access – Retail wants in before the listing, not after
AI-powered tools – Algorithmic strategies once reserved for institutions now available via apps
Self-directed retirement – Calculators replacing advisors for retirement planning
Speculation as entertainment – Meme coins blur the line between gambling and investing
Collectibles as assets – Toys and cards joining stocks and bonds in portfolios
For entrepreneurs and investors, the data points to several high-growth opportunities: prediction market infrastructure, Bitcoin custody and ETF services, precious metals retail, pre-IPO access platforms, AI trading tools, retirement planning software, and collectibles authentication/marketplaces. The investors winning in 2026 are those treating speculation as a feature—not a bug—of modern markets.