Forbes 2026 Crypto Trend Prediction: What's Next After Volatility Reduction?
Original Article Title: 5 Crypto Predictions For 2026: Breaking Cycles And Crossing Borders
Original Article Author: Alexander S. Blume, Forbes
Translation: Peggy, BlockBeats
Editor's Note: As digital assets gradually move towards the mainstream, the industry is undergoing a profound transformation. Following the volatility and adjustments of 2025, the crypto market remains subdued, investor sentiment is cautious, and the industry is facing a crucial moment of integration and reshaping. However, this downturn is not stagnation but a prelude to the next stage of innovation and maturity.
In the view of the author of this article, with the acceleration of institutionalization trends and the gradual clarification of regulatory frameworks, 2026 is expected to be another strong year for the development of digital assets. This article is written by Alexander S. Blume, the CEO of Two Prime and a senior digital asset investment advisor. Two Prime, established in 2019, focuses on digital asset management and institutional-grade financial services, with a strong emphasis on Bitcoin-related asset management, lending, and structured products.
This article will bring his five major predictions for the 2026 crypto market, covering stablecoins, DATs, market cycles, cross-border liquidity, and product refinement, helping readers grasp the key opportunities and challenges in the digital asset field in the coming year.

2026 is poised to be another strong year for the development of digital assets
At the end of last year, I predicted that 2025 would be the "year of transformative implementation of digital assets" because significant progress had been made in the mainstream adoption in the retail and institutional markets. This prediction has been validated in multiple aspects: an increase in institutional allocations, the tokenization of more real-world assets, and the development of regulatory support and market infrastructure for cryptocurrencies.
We have also witnessed the rise of Digital Asset Treasury companies (DATs), although this trend still appears fragile. Since then, the prices of Bitcoin and Ethereum have risen by about 15%, with these two asset classes gradually integrating into the traditional financial system and gaining broader adoption.
The mainstreaming of digital assets is no longer a question. Looking ahead to 2026, we will see continued maturation and evolution, with the experimentation phase giving way to more stable growth. Based on the latest data and emerging trends, here are my five top crypto predictions for the year ahead.
DATs 2.0: Bitcoin Financial Services Companies to Gain Legitimacy
This year, DATs (Digital Asset Treasury Companies) have experienced rapid expansion, but not without growing pains. From alcohol brands to sunscreen companies, many have reshaped their identities, claiming to be buyers and holders of crypto assets, but challenges such as investor skepticism, regulatory pressure, mismanagement, and languishing valuations have put this model to the test.
In a series of new initiatives, some DATs even hold so-called "shitcoins," which are essentially speculative projects lacking historical records and investment value. However, in the coming year, many issues surrounding the DAT market and its strategies will be progressively addressed, and enterprises truly operating based on the Bitcoin standard will find a path to enter the public markets.
Many DATs, even the largest ones, will start trading at prices closer to the underlying asset's value, and managers will face greater pressure to create value for shareholders more effectively. After all, a company that merely holds a large amount of Bitcoin but does nothing with it (while maintaining a private jet and high management fees) is not a wise investment for shareholders.
Stablecoins Will Be Everywhere
2026 will be the year of stablecoin explosion. USDC and USDT are expected to further penetrate traditional financial transactions and products, moving beyond trading and settlement scenarios. Stablecoins may appear not only on cryptocurrency exchanges but also in payment processors, corporate treasuries, and cross-border settlement systems.
For enterprises, the appeal of stablecoins lies in achieving instant settlement without relying on slow or expensive bank payment networks.
However, similar to the DAT situation, we may also see stablecoin market oversaturation: too many speculative stablecoin projects going live, an abundance of consumer-facing payment platforms and wallets emerging, and numerous blockchains claiming to "support" stablecoins. By the end of the year, many speculative projects will be phased out or acquired by the market, leading to industry consolidation, ultimately dominated by more branded stablecoin issuers, retailers, payment networks, and exchanges/wallets.
The Four-Year Cycle Will Become History
I am now ready to announce: Bitcoin's "four-year cycle" will be officially declared over in 2026. The current market is broader and more institutionalized, no longer an isolated ecosystem. Instead, there is a new market structure and sustained buying pressure that will alter Bitcoin's trajectory, presenting a continuous, incremental growth.
This means that overall volatility will decrease, Bitcoin will become a more stable store of value, driving broader adoption by global traditional investors and market participants. Bitcoin will evolve from a transaction tool into a whole new asset class, accompanied by more stable fund flows, longer holding periods, and less "cyclical" volatility.
U.S. Investors Will Gain Offshore Liquidity
As digital assets move further into the mainstream and favorable policy environments drive development, related rule-making and market structures will enable U.S. investors to access offshore cryptocurrency liquidity. This change will not happen overnight, but over time, we will see more approved counterparties, enhanced custody solutions, and offshore platforms that meet U.S. compliance standards emerge.
Some stablecoin projects may also accelerate this trend. Dollar-backed stablecoins are already able to circulate cross-border, something traditional bank payment networks cannot achieve. As major issuers expand into regulated offshore markets, they have the potential to link U.S. capital to a global liquidity pool. In essence, stablecoins may eventually achieve the goal that regulators have been striving to explore: connecting U.S. investors to the international digital asset market in a clear, traceable manner.
This is crucial because offshore liquidity plays a key role in price discovery in the digital asset market. The next stage of market maturity will be the standardization of cross-border market operations.
Products Will Become More Specialized
The new year will bring a new round of specialization in Bitcoin-related debt and equity products, as well as more transaction products core to Bitcoin-denominated yields. Even investors who were previously cautious about digital assets will begin to accept this more complex product ecosystem.
We are likely to see structured products collateralized with Bitcoin, as well as strategies designed to generate real returns through Bitcoin exposure, rather than just betting on price volatility. ETFs have already started to move beyond simple price tracking, offering features to earn returns through collateralization or options strategies. While fully diversified total return products remain limited, derivatives will become more sophisticated and better integrated with standard risk frameworks. By 2026, Bitcoin will no longer be just a speculative tool but will gradually become a core part of financial infrastructure.
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