We’re in one of those times when market players are shunning crypto investments. Factors such as persistent inflation, a declining likelihood of interest rate cuts (typically a major catalyst for crypto price pops), and outflows from once-hotly popular crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have put the hurt on even the most prominent digital coins and tokens.

Given that, it’s worthwhile to consider another high-potential technology — artificial intelligence (AI). Despite huge growth opportunities ahead, AI has also taken it on the chin lately as well. It still has a bright future, and I believe investors can still hop on this train with a company that’s not a pure play, but one deeply — albeit not exclusively — involved in the technology.

Read on to see what AI giant I believe can outpace even the most popular cryptocurrencies.

Alphabet is advancing AI

That company is none other than Google owner Alphabet (GOOG +0.68%)(GOOGL +0.68%). Although it’s still known, with some justification, as a search engine operator, the company has been neck-deep in AI for years. It’s developed both hardware and the large language models (LLMs) powered by it, and it clearly aims to be a top name in this technology.

I have no doubt it can succeed. Google’s AI component Gemini is now fused into the company’s search and many other features (like Google Mail). This makes it a convenient option for web searchers querying for more than basic information on a subject. Its functionalities are also integrated into offerings like Google Docs, where users can harness AI to help with their writing. The Gemini platform itself is a hot item, with a monthly active user count now topping 750 million.

On the hardware front, Alphabet is not only actively developing and deploying Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) — chips designed to power AI functionality — it invented them. Originally designed to bolster the company’s AI capabilities, the processors are now being sold to external customers, opening another revenue stream.

Today’s Change

(0.68%) $2.11

Current Price

Advertisement

$313.03

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$3.8T

Day’s Range

$309.36 – $313.66

Advertisement

52wk Range

$142.66 – $350.15

Volume

20M

Avg Vol

Advertisement

23M

Gross Margin

59.68%

Dividend Yield

0.27%

Advertisement

AI is a growth catalyst for Alphabet

Alphabet doesn’t break out the revenue it derives from AI hardware and services, so we can’t put a precise number on how much the technology is bringing in for the company.

Still, it’s clearly foundational these days — the phrase “AI” was mentioned 94 times during management’s fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 earnings conference call. And the tech giant stated in the accompanying earnings release that “We’re seeing our AI investments and infrastructure drive revenue and growth across the board.”

Alphabet’s two main revenue buckets, Google Services and Google Cloud — both of which feature AI-enhanced products — have seen robust increases. The former’s revenue grew 14% year over year during the quarter to almost $96 billion, while the latter’s skyrocketed 48% to just under $18 billion.

The numbers don’t lie. Even if the economy slows or inflation remains stubborn, demand for Alphabet’s impressively large suite of AI products and services will remain strong. I’d feel much more confident parking my money in this AI stock than gambling it on a wobbly cryptocurrency.

Select market data provided by ICE Data Services. Select reference data provided by FactSet. Copyright © 2026 FactSet Research Systems Inc.Copyright © 2026, American Bankers Association. CUSIP Database provided by FactSet Research Systems Inc. All rights reserved. SEC fillings and other documents provided by Quartr.© 2026 TradingView, Inc.

APOPKA, Fla. – A 34-year-old Florida man, who served as the president and CEO of an alleged cryptocurrency investment firm, has been accused of running a $328 million Ponzi scheme, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Christopher Alexander Delgado, of Apopka, Florida, was arrested on federal charges of wire fraud and money laundering, the DOJ announced on Tuesday.

The backstory:

According to the DOJ, Delgado was the CEO and founder of Goliath Ventures, formerly known as Gen-Z Venture Firm.

The DOJ alleges that Delgado convinced people to invest a total of $328 million with his firm between January 2023 & January 2026 under the assumption that it would be invested in cryptocurrency “liquidity pools” – and would promise monthly returns.

The DOJ alleges that the money was instead used to pay returns and principals to previous investors, as well as to pay for lavish business gatherings, holiday parties, and to buy four multi-million-dollar homes (varying in cost between 1.15M and $8.5M).

“Victims were induced to give money to Goliath through personal referrals, professional marketing materials, luxury events, charitable sponsorships, and some monthly payments of purported returns, all of which were designed to establish Goliath’s bona fides with investors,” the DOJ said in a news release.

If convicted, Delgado faces up to 30 years in federal prison, the DOJ said.

According to the complaint, Delgado bought four homes:

• $3.2 million home in Winter Park in July 2025
• $1.15 million home in Kissimee in December 2024
• $8.5 million home in Windermere in September 2025
• $1.65 million home in Sanford in August 2024

Victim: Lost $720,000

According to the complaint, one unnamed investor reportedly lost $720,000 in Delgado’s alleged scheme. A second investor was reportedly able to get his money back, though he had to directly contact Delgado to ensure he did. The amount of money returned in the second example was not disclosed.

What you can do:

The DOJ said anyone who thinks that they could have been a victim of Delgado’s business to email Goliathvictims@ci.irs.gov. Or to visit this website.