Nina Bambysheva, editor and analyst at Forbes Money Markets, recently published an article titled " Five Trends Crypto Investors Should Not Ignore in 2026 ," reviewing key turning points in the crypto industry in 2025 regarding the regulatory environment, institutional participation, and market size, and further offering forward-looking observations for 2026.
Bambysheva points out that after years of turmoil and policy uncertainty, the crypto industry is no longer just a fringe experiment in the financial system, but is gradually integrating into the mainstream financial architecture. With a shift in regulatory attitudes, a large influx of institutional funds, and a continued expansion of application scenarios, 2026 will be a crucial year for the crypto market to move from the "growth stage" to the "maturity stage." In her article, she summarizes five key trends that investors cannot ignore.
I. The crypto market continues to institutionalize, with ETFs becoming a major driving force.
Bambysheva believes that one of the most significant structural changes in the crypto industry is the increasing institutionalization. Since the US approved a spot Bitcoin ETF in 2024, crypto ETFs and ETPs have expanded rapidly, with global assets under management now exceeding $200 billion.
She pointed out that in the coming year, Bitcoin ETFs will no longer be just investment tools for retail investors, but will be further incorporated into institutional investors' model portfolios, retirement accounts, and authorized fund allocations. This shift will make Bitcoin prices more susceptible to global economic sentiment and traditional financial markets, rather than being solely driven by crypto-native investors.
II. Accelerated Asset Tokenization and Gradual On-Chain Adoption of Traditional Finance
The second key trend is the accelerated development of asset tokenization. Bambysheva points out that although tokenized stocks, bonds, and real estate currently account for only a very small percentage of the global market, the attitude of regulators has undergone a substantial shift.
The approval granted to the U.S. Depository & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) to offer tokenization services is seen as a symbolic step, representing the beginning of the integration of traditional financial infrastructure with blockchain technology. She cited industry opinions suggesting that regulators may gradually allow tokenized securities to circulate in a wider range of financial scenarios through exemptions or innovative mechanisms, and even treat them on par with traditional securities by banks or brokerages.
III. Stablecoins Enter the Infrastructure Competition Phase
According to Bambysheva, stablecoins have evolved from simple mediums of exchange into an integral part of global payments and financial infrastructure. With the passage of the U.S. GENIUS Act, the stablecoin market is expected to grow significantly by 2025, attracting numerous large fintech companies to join the ranks of issuers.
She pointed out that the key going forward is not "who can issue stablecoins," but rather "who can establish a credible, secure, and counterparty-free clearing and redemption mechanism." In the future, the stablecoin industry will inevitably move towards standardized operations, similar to existing payment systems like Visa, ACH, or SWIFT, establishing clear rules and risk management frameworks.
IV. Everything can be traded, and the on-chain market continues to expand.
Bambysheva emphasized that the 24/7, borderless nature of the crypto market is constantly expanding the definition of "tradable assets." From prediction markets and perpetual futures to tokenized physical assets, more and more non-traditional financial instruments are being introduced into on-chain markets.
She cited perpetual futures as an example, pointing out that these derivatives, originally belonging to the crypto space, have begun to cover crude oil, interest rates, and even central bank policy expectations. As crypto and traditional finance further integrate, blockchain is gradually becoming an important tool for expressing macroeconomic views and managing risks.
V. The combination of encryption and AI gives rise to the machine economy.
The final trend focuses on the intersection of encryption and artificial intelligence (AI). Bambysheva points out that as AI software becomes more autonomous, it will not only need to make decisions in the future, but also be able to autonomously complete payments and value exchanges.
This "agency-based business" will give rise to a massive machine-to-machine economy, and blockchain, with its low cost, programmability, and trustless intermediary-free characteristics, is considered the most reasonable infrastructure. She mentioned that blockchains with a large developer and user base, as well as new public chains designed specifically for payments, may play a key role in this wave.
