Crypto Adoption Set To Accelerate In 2026 As ETFs, Stablecoins, Tokenization Gain Ground
Coinbase’s head of funding analysis, David Duong, mentioned momentum from crypto exchange-traded funds, stablecoins, tokenization, and clearer guidelines is prone to construct by means of 2026 and velocity up wider use of digital belongings.
“We count on these forces to compound in 2026 as ETF approval timelines compress,” he said. According to Duong, final yr laid necessary groundwork by giving extra regulated paths for traders and by pushing crypto instruments nearer to regular finance.
— David Duong
(@DavidDuong) December 31, 2025
Regulatory Steps Spur Institutional Moves
Duong identified that clearer rulebooks within the US and Europe are altering how large establishments deal with crypto. The US has moved towards stablecoin oversight with the GENIUS Act, and Europe has pushed ahead with MiCA.
Those strikes are being utilized by corporations to make operations prepared for brand new merchandise and to hyperlink crypto rails to funds and settlements. He mentioned that higher guardrails let corporations design merchandise that can be utilized by a broader set of purchasers.
Investor Base Shifts Away From Single Narratives
Based on reviews, crypto demand is now not pushed by a lone story or by solely early adopters. Adoption figures have held regular, at 10% in Q1 2023 and near 10% in Q1 2025, exhibiting broad, regular curiosity throughout markets.
That mixture of allocators and finish customers now consists of company treasuries and long-term traders, which can scale back the fast churn tied to short-term hypothesis. Some capital seems extra strategic and will keep in place for longer.
Markets Respond With Capital
Meanwhile, reviews point out that global funding funds raised greater than $48 billion by means of exchange-traded merchandise (ETPs) associated to digital currencies from January 2023 till December 2025—this is a rise from 2024.
Investment funds targeted on Ethereum had virtually thrice the influx throughout this time-frame as in comparison with 2024.
The development of stablecoins continues to be vital; their market capitalization is roughly $300 billion, however stablecoins nonetheless course of trillions of {dollars} by means of full buying and selling venues and DeFi.
Tokenized belongings are smaller by comparability, with a market worth above $1.2 billion, however analysts count on development as establishments take a look at blockchain-based possession and fractional investing.
Tokenization And Corporate Use
Corporations have began to experiment with digital asset treasuries and tokenized collateral. Those are being examined to be used in lending, settlement, and as a part of company stability sheets.
Based on Duong’s view, tokenized collateral could possibly be extra broadly accepted in conventional offers, and stablecoins is likely to be used extra in delivery-vs-payment setups. These sensible makes use of are being watched intently by banks and custodians.
Outlook For 2026
Duong summed up his view by stressing three issues: clear coverage, operational readiness, and helpful merchandise. According to him, when regulators set clearer guidelines, establishments construct safer methods, and firms design merchandise folks can truly use, crypto can transfer from a distinct segment market towards a extra central position in finance.
Featured picture from Chainalysis, chart from TradingView

(@DavidDuong)