CoinShares’ new 2026 Digital Asset Outlook frames the industry’s future around a major structural shift: digital assets are no longer positioning themselves as an external alternative to the financial system, but as the rails that eventually power it.
The report argues that the coming phase will be shaped by “hybrid finance,” a model where crypto infrastructure merges with traditional markets as regulation, utility and institutional adoption align. Instead of competing with legacy finance, the sector is beginning to reinforce it through transparent settlement, programmable payments and globally accessible liquidity.
Hybrid Finance Takes Center Stage
CoinShares highlights clear signs that this convergence is already underway. Stablecoin settlement volumes are climbing toward levels seen on Visa and Mastercard, while the value of tokenized assets more than doubled through 2025. Major financial institutions are experimenting directly on public blockchains, shifting the narrative from disruption to integration. The firm notes that the future market structure will rely less on speculative cycles and more on operational improvements, measurable yield and clear regulatory frameworks.
Bitcoin’s Institutional Footprint Expands Rapidly
The report shows Bitcoin moving deeper into mainstream investment channels as spot ETFs continue attracting extraordinary inflows. More than $90 billion has entered these funds, placing Bitcoin in front of traditional wealth platforms that are expected to open broader access in 2026. Corporate adoption is rising as well, with treasuries at 190 publicly listed companies collectively holding over one million BTC. CoinShares argues that Bitcoin is now positioned as a long-term macro asset rather than a niche alternative investment.
Tokenization Becomes a Global Liquidity Engine
Real-world asset tokenization is accelerating at a pace that reshapes credit, yield and settlement markets. Private credit instruments and U.S. Treasuries sit at the center of this expansion, driven by demand for on-chain dollar returns and faster, cheaper execution. The report links this trend to the broader rise of programmable money, where real-time, globally interoperable settlement layers replace slower, fragmented legacy systems. CoinShares expects tokenized markets to become one of the strongest structural growth drivers in 2026.
A Battle for the Core Settlement Layer
As capital and developers move on-chain, the competition between settlement platforms is intensifying. Ethereum remains the institutional anchor, supported by its liquidity, tooling and developer depth.
Solana, however, is gaining momentum through high-performance applications that appeal to consumer-scale use cases and fast settlement environments. CoinShares notes that the next year will test which networks can sustain institutional-grade reliability while supporting the explosive growth of tokenized markets.
Regulatory Divergence Becomes a Competitive Advantage
The report also points to rapidly diverging regulatory approaches across major regions. The EU’s MiCA framework is already offering legally defined rules for stablecoins and service providers.
The United States is progressing toward federal stablecoin clarity through the GENIUS Act, while Asian regulators are embracing stricter, Basel-style prudential standards. CoinShares argues that this divergence will shape where capital flows, where tokenization hubs develop and which jurisdictions attract long-term institutional activity.
Bitcoin Price Scenarios for 2026
CoinShares outlines three macro-driven paths for Bitcoin next year. A soft landing with productivity gains could propel prices beyond $150,000, while steady but unspectacular growth points to a range between $110,000 and $140,000. A recession or stagflationary environment may introduce near-term pressure before the usual post-stress recovery. The firm stresses that any scenario still places Bitcoin at the center of the broader shift in financial market architecture.
A Quiet Rebuild of the Global Financial System
The report closes with a clear message: 2026 will not be defined by speculative manias but by the steady reconstruction of traditional finance on top of public blockchains. Hybrid finance, rather than crypto-native isolation, is emerging as the industry’s long-term direction. CoinShares expects utility, cash flow, and regulated market structure, not hype, to be the pillars around which the next cycle is built.