Amid growing institutional and corporate interest in Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), some predict that one of the Big Tech companies, such as Google, Meta, or Apple, will launch or acquire a cryptocurrency wallet by 2026. Meanwhile, while global financial institutions continue to experiment with their own blockchains, some analysts predict that fintech-led blockchain networks will struggle to surpass leaders like Ethereum and Solana (SOL).
Major tech companies could launch cryptocurrency wallets by 2026.
Haseeb Qureshi, CEO of venture capital firm Dragonfly, recently predicted on his X (formerly Twitter) that “by 2026, one of the major tech companies will launch a cryptocurrency wallet or acquire a related company.” He cited Google, Meta, and Apple as prime candidates, saying that such a move would “overwhelm the influence of existing cryptocurrency apps by bringing billions of users into the digital asset ecosystem in an instant.”
Qureshi predicted that around 2026, blockchain adoption will begin in earnest, led by banks and fintech companies. These companies will be able to build their own semi-private networks using modular blockchain infrastructure like Avalanche (AVAX) or scaling tools like OP Stack and ZK Stack, and ultimately, these networks will also perform payment functions on a public blockchain.
Bank-centric blockchain testing… Still a long way to go
Major financial institutions such as JP Morgan, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, and IBM have already launched private blockchain pilot projects. However, most of these are limited to experiments, and large-scale commercialization is expected to take time. Galaxy Digital predicts that by 2026, "at least one Fortune 500 bank, cloud company, or e-commerce platform could launch a Layer 1 blockchain capable of processing over $1 billion (approximately 1.44 trillion won) of real-world economic activity."
Fintech Blockchains Face Challenges from Ethereum and Solana
On the other hand, Qureshi expressed skepticism, saying that Layer 1 blockchains launched by fintech companies to compete with Ethereum or Solana will only achieve minimal results in terms of ecosystem adoption or user activity. He pointed out that "recently launched fintech chains have low activity, weak stablecoin flows, and weak real-world asset-backed transaction volumes."
As developers and users gravitate toward neutral, cryptocurrency-friendly infrastructure, Ethereum and Solana's dominance is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.
Bitcoin's $150,000 Forecast… Dominance May Decline
There are also noteworthy points in the market analysis. While Qureshi expects Bitcoin to surpass $150,000 (approximately KRW 216.71 million) by the end of 2026, he also predicted that BTC's market dominance could actually decline. This suggests the possibility of funds being diversified into other cryptocurrencies and sectors.
Galaxy Digital broadened its forecast range, stating, "Bitcoin could end anywhere between $50,000 and $250,000 next year, and 2026 will be a very turbulent year."
Meanwhile, the stablecoin market size, currently at $312 billion (approximately 451 trillion won), is expected to grow by approximately 60% next year, and it has also been projected that Tether (USDT)'s market share could decrease from the current 60% to 55%.
🔎 Market Interpretation
2026 is expected to be a turning point for the large-scale adoption of blockchain technology by both technology companies and traditional finance. In particular, the proliferation of cryptocurrency wallets and the establishment of private blockchains are likely to accelerate the adoption of digital assets.
💡 Strategy Points
While confident in the superiority of existing infrastructure like Ethereum and Solana, we must also continuously monitor the practical performance and user inflow indicators of blockchains emerging through fintech. The timing of major technology companies' entry into the market can significantly impact the market, making it a key factor to keep an eye on.
📘 Glossary
- Modular blockchain: A method that separates each function (payment, execution, data storage) into separate components.
- Layer 1: The basic network layer of the blockchain, with Ethereum and Solana as representative examples.
- Private blockchain: A type of blockchain with limited access rights, primarily used for corporate purposes.
💡 Want to know more? AI-prepared questions for you:
A. It's highly likely that one of the major technology companies will launch or acquire a cryptocurrency wallet by 2026. Cryptocurrency wallets are apps or services that securely store and manage digital assets. Their introduction would allow hundreds of millions of ordinary users to easily access digital assets. This is a significant sign that blockchain technology is becoming more deeply integrated into our daily lives.
A. Large banks and Fortune 100 companies are expected to expand their own blockchains by 2026. Blockchain is a technology that allows for transparent and secure data sharing. These companies primarily prefer private or semi-private networks, often connecting to public blockchains. While banks like JPMorgan and Bank of America are currently conducting pilot projects, large-scale adoption remains limited.
A. The opinion is that new blockchains (Layer 1) being built by fintech companies will struggle to keep pace with existing networks like Ethereum or Solana. Layer 1 refers to the foundational layer of a blockchain, and attracting developers and users is crucial. However, fintech versions are expected to underperform due to their lack of active users and transaction volume. Conversely, Ethereum and Solana offer strengths as neutral platforms where developers gather.
A. Banks and fintech companies can adopt blockchain technology to make financial transactions more efficient and secure. For example, they can create private networks using a modular approach (utilizing infrastructure like Avalanche) and link them with public blockchains. This accelerates the connection between traditional finance and digital assets, fostering growth in the entire industry ecosystem.
A. Stablecoins are digital currencies with a stable value. The market, currently worth $312 billion, is expected to grow by approximately 60% next year. While major companies' market share is expected to fluctuate, this is due to the stability they provide in digital payments and asset transactions. Coupled with the growing adoption of blockchain, they are becoming a crucial part of the financial system.
TP AI Precautions
This article was summarized using a TokenPost.ai-based language model. Key points in the text may be omitted or inaccurate.
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