Guide
CryptocurrencyYouTubeUSAHow to Start a Cryptocurrency YouTube Channel in the US (2026 Guide)
The crypto content landscape in 2026 is fundamentally different from the Wild West of 2021. Bitcoin ETFs have brought institutional legitimacy, regulation is clearer, and the audience has matured. The hype-driven 'next 100x coin' content is dying — what's growing is thoughtful analysis, DeFi education, and regulatory explainers. Channels like Coin Bureau, Benjamin Cowen, and Whiteboard Crypto have adapted to serve this more sophisticated audience. CPMs range from $15-$40, and the audience remains massive despite market cycles.
Last updated: February 26, 2026
Step-by-Step Guide
Establish your crypto expertise area
Choose between Bitcoin-focused analysis, DeFi education, altcoin research, crypto tax guidance, or security/self-custody education. Specialization matters more in crypto than most niches because the space is so broad.
Build your compliance framework
Create standard disclosures for holdings, sponsorships, and affiliates. Document everything. The crypto space is increasingly regulated, and proper disclosure protects you legally and builds audience trust.
Create evergreen educational content
Build a library of fundamental explainers: how Bitcoin works, what Ethereum does, how wallets work, how to report crypto taxes. This content drives consistent search traffic regardless of market conditions.
Develop a market analysis framework
Use on-chain data, technical analysis, or fundamental research to create a repeatable analysis approach. Apply this framework consistently so viewers know what to expect from your channel.
Diversify monetization early
Don't rely solely on YouTube ad revenue — crypto content can be demonetized. Build affiliate partnerships, create courses, and consider a paid community from early on.
The crypto content opportunity in 2026
Crypto content has entered a maturation phase that favors quality over hype.
Market context:
- Bitcoin spot ETFs approved and holding $100B+ in assets
- Ethereum ETFs trading, with potential for Solana and XRP ETFs
- Total crypto market cap: $3+ trillion
- US crypto regulation becoming clearer under current administration
- 50+ million Americans own cryptocurrency
Revenue reality:
- CPM range: $15-$40 (lower than pure finance due to advertiser wariness, but improving)
- Exchange affiliates: Coinbase, Kraken pay $10-$50 per verified account
- DeFi tool affiliates: Hardware wallets ($10-$30), portfolio trackers, tax software
- Sponsorships: Crypto projects and tools sponsor actively ($2,000-$20,000 per video)
The shift that matters for new creators:
The audience no longer wants moonshot calls. They want understanding. How do Bitcoin ETFs work? How do I report crypto taxes? What is DeFi and is it safe? This educational demand is where new channels win.
Content strategy for the post-ETF era
Educational content (most sustainable):
1. "Bitcoin ETF explained — should you buy BTC directly or through an ETF?"
2. "Crypto taxes 2026 — how to report everything correctly on your return"
3. "How to set up a hardware wallet — complete security guide"
4. "DeFi explained — lending, staking, and yield farming for beginners"
5. "Stablecoins explained — USDC, USDT, and why they matter"
Analysis and market commentary:
6. "Bitcoin on-chain analysis — what the data is telling us"
7. "Ethereum roadmap update — what's coming and why it matters"
8. "Altcoin analysis framework — how to evaluate any crypto project"
9. "Fed rate decision impact on crypto — historical patterns"
Regulation and compliance:
10. "New crypto regulations — what US holders need to know"
11. "Crypto tax reporting guide — Form 8949 walkthrough"
12. "SEC vs crypto — the lawsuits and rulings that matter"
Shorts:
- "Bitcoin ETF in 60 seconds"
- "The crypto mistake that cost me $X"
- "How to not get scammed in crypto"
Avoid: pump-and-dump content, specific price predictions, shilling unknown tokens, and anything resembling financial advice.
Building trust in a trust-damaged niche
The crypto space has been burned by scammers, rug pulls, and blown-up exchanges (FTX). Your credibility is your moat.
Trust-building practices:
- Never shill tokens without extensive research and full disclosure
- If you hold a crypto asset you're discussing, say so clearly
- Cover scams, rug pulls, and failures — not just successes
- Don't make price predictions (or if you do, track and own your accuracy)
- Explain risks alongside every opportunity
- Cover the FTX collapse, Terra/Luna failure, and other cautionary tales
What audiences trust:
- On-chain data analysis (factual, verifiable)
- Technology explanations (how protocols actually work)
- Regulatory analysis (citing actual laws and rulings)
- Tax guidance (practical, actionable)
- Security education (protecting assets from hacks and scams)
What destroys trust:
- "This coin will 100x!" claims
- Sponsored content disguised as independent analysis
- Ignoring or downplaying risks and losses
- Deleting videos when predictions are wrong
- Promoting projects you're being paid by without disclosure
Compliance and monetization for US crypto creators
US crypto content creators face specific regulatory considerations.
Compliance requirements:
- SEC considers many tokens securities — be careful about promotion
- FTC requires clear disclosure of any compensation from crypto projects
- If you're paid to promote a token, you MUST disclose this prominently
- Don't provide personalized investment advice
- Tax reporting: crypto income from sponsorships is taxable
Monetization stack:
- Exchange affiliates: Coinbase ($10 per verified account), Kraken, Gemini
- Hardware wallet affiliates: Ledger, Trezor ($10-$30 per sale)
- Crypto tax software: TurboTax crypto, CoinTracker, Koinly ($15-$40 per subscriber)
- DeFi tool partnerships: Portfolio trackers, analytics platforms
- Courses: Crypto fundamentals ($47-$197), DeFi courses ($97-$497), trading courses ($197-$997)
- Community: Discord or Telegram groups ($10-$49/month for premium analysis)
Ad revenue considerations:
YouTube has demonetized some crypto content in the past. Diversifying revenue beyond ads is essential. Brand deals from crypto projects are lucrative but require careful vetting — only partner with legitimate projects.
Use FluxNote to create educational crypto Shorts explaining concepts like staking, gas fees, or wallet security — bite-sized crypto education is in high demand.
Pro Tips
- On-chain data analysis is the most credible form of crypto content — learn to use Glassnode, Dune Analytics, or similar tools and explain what the data shows
- Crypto tax content spikes every January-April — create comprehensive tax guides and capture this high-intent audience annually
- Cover every major hack, scam, and exchange failure in detail — this 'safety education' content builds trust and gets massive views
- Create a 'How to not get scammed in crypto' series — it's the most useful content you can make and it demonstrates that you prioritize your audience's safety
- Market cycle awareness matters for your content strategy — during bear markets, educational content outperforms, while bull markets drive demand for analysis and new project coverage