The cryptocurrency market staged its strongest quarterly comeback since late 2024, adding $840.1 billion in value during the third quarter of 2026 and pushing total market capitalization to $2.96 trillion. The 39.6% advance snapped three consecutive quarters of contraction, according to CoinGecko’s 2026 Q3 Crypto Industry Report.

The recovery, however, did not pull trading activity along with it. Average daily trading volume fell 8.6% from the second quarter to $73.3 billion, the third straight quarterly decline. CoinGecko characterized the period as one “defined by a rebound in prices that outpaced participation.”

August supplied most of the momentum. Market cap surged 21.8%, or $489.8 billion, in that month alone after the U.S….