A new outlook from Coinbase suggests 2026 will see crypto adoption propelled forward by the synergy of several institutional-grade innovations. Research head David Duong points to ETFs, stablecoins, and tokenization, supported by regulation, as mutually reinforcing drivers.
Duong recapped that 2025 transformed the landscape by delivering key building blocks: accessible spot ETFs for traditional investors, growing corporate treasury holdings, and the functional integration of stablecoins and tokenized assets into existing financial workflows.
The expectation is for these forces to amplify one another in the coming year. Duong cited compressed regulatory timelines for new ETFs, the rising importance of stablecoins in delivery-versus-payment systems, and widening recognition of tokenized collateral as specific accelerants.
While adoption metrics have not skyrocketed, they have demonstrated remarkable stability over the past two years. The global adoption rate has seen only minor fluctuations within a narrow band during this period.
This consistent trajectory indicates a market that is consolidating and maturing, according to Duong. He emphasized that the formalization of crypto oversight by major governments in 2025 was a key development, fundamentally altering institutional risk assessment and capital allocation strategies.
