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#Gate广场创作者新春激励 Forbes Names 5 Major Trends in Crypto Investment for 2026: Institutionalization, AI + Coins as Core Themes
The new investment directions for the crypto space are set for the new year! Forbes recently released the top 5 trends in crypto investment for 2026, highlighting key points for global investors! From institutional funds pouring in, to accelerated asset tokenization, and the cross-border integration of AI and crypto, each trend hides new opportunities. Although the market is currently in a low season, understanding these trends early allows for precise moves when the market warms up. Help you quickly grasp Forbes' core judgments and see where the money in crypto investment will flow next year!
Crypto ETF Market Surpasses 200 Billion USD, Pension Funds Entering Is a Major Trend
The biggest highlight of the crypto market in 2026 is the continued "accumulation" of institutional funds.
According to Forbes analysis, the total assets of global crypto ETFs and ETPs have exceeded 200 billion USD, and Bitcoin ETFs are gradually entering mainstream investment portfolios—the most critical signal is that they are beginning to be included in US 401K retirement savings plans.
This means that crypto assets are no longer niche investments for small investors but are being regarded as legitimate investment targets, attracting massive pension and institutional funds.
It’s important to note that 401K plans are the primary retirement savings method in the US, with enormous capital pools. Once Bitcoin ETFs are widely incorporated into these plans, it will bring a steady stream of long-term capital to the crypto market, greatly enhancing market stability and liquidity, and further advancing institutionalization.
SEC Approves DTCC, Legislation Nears Implementation
Asset tokenization is moving from “concept” to “implementation,” and 2026 is likely to see a breakout. Forbes specifically mentions that the US SEC has approved the world’s largest clearinghouse, DTCC, to provide tokenization services, which is akin to giving a “green light” for on-chain assets.
Moreover, it is expected that formal legislation will be initiated in the second half of 2026, providing clear regulatory frameworks for asset tokenization.
The core of this trend is “digitalization of traditional assets,” such as stocks and government bonds, which could be tokenized and traded on-chain.
DTCC’s involvement means tokenization services will be supported by mature financial infrastructure, ensuring greater security and compliance, and increasing willingness among enterprises and institutions to participate.
Market Size Exceeds 300 Billion USD, Major Financial Giants Enter
Stablecoins, as the “funding bridge” in the crypto market, are poised for significant growth in 2026.
Currently, the stablecoin market size has surpassed 300 billion USD. The advancement of the GENIUS Act has directly attracted top fintech companies like Stripe and Klarna to enter the space.
This will not only improve stablecoin infrastructure but also expand its application scenarios.
Previously, stablecoins were mainly used for trading settlement within crypto circles. With the involvement of financial giants, they are likely to penetrate more offline payment and cross-border transfer scenarios in the future.
For investors, the prosperity of the stablecoin ecosystem will make capital flows in and out of the crypto market smoother, indirectly boosting overall market activity.
On-Chain Market Expansion
In 2026, the on-chain market will break the limitation of “only trading cryptocurrencies” and enter an era of “everything can be traded.”
Forbes data shows that platforms like Hyperliquid have already driven on-chain perpetual contract trading volume to nearly 3 trillion USD by 2025, and trading products are no longer limited to crypto assets but have expanded to traditional financial assets like oil and interest rates.
This indicates that the on-chain market is deeply integrating with traditional finance. Investors will no longer need to switch between multiple platforms; they can achieve one-stop trading of cryptocurrencies, commodities, and interest rate products directly on-chain.
This diversification trend will attract more traditional investors into the crypto ecosystem, further expanding market size.
The most anticipated cross-border trend in the rise of the machine economy is the deep integration of AI and cryptocurrencies.
Forbes predicts that in 2026, the “machine economy” will explode—high-frequency micro-payments between AI agents will rely on blockchain technology for low-cost, high-efficiency settlement, with public chains like Base and Solana already taking the lead in this field.
Simply put, future AI services and collaborations will generate small payments that can be quickly settled through encrypted networks.
This new application scenario will not only generate massive real transaction demand for blockchain but also foster more innovative projects combining AI and crypto, becoming one of the core investment themes for next year.
The new investment directions for the crypto space are set for the new year! Forbes recently released the top 5 trends in crypto investment for 2026, highlighting key points for global investors! From institutional funds pouring in, to accelerated asset tokenization, and the cross-border integration of AI and crypto, each trend hides new opportunities. Although the market is currently in a low season, understanding these trends early allows for precise moves when the market warms up. Help you quickly grasp Forbes' core judgments and see where the money in crypto investment will flow next year!
Crypto ETF Market Surpasses 200 Billion USD, Pension Funds Entering Is a Major Trend
The biggest highlight of the crypto market in 2026 is the continued "accumulation" of institutional funds.
According to Forbes analysis, the total assets of global crypto ETFs and ETPs have exceeded 200 billion USD, and Bitcoin ETFs are gradually entering mainstream investment portfolios—the most critical signal is that they are beginning to be included in US 401K retirement savings plans.
This means that crypto assets are no longer niche investments for small investors but are being regarded as legitimate investment targets, attracting massive pension and institutional funds.
It’s important to note that 401K plans are the primary retirement savings method in the US, with enormous capital pools. Once Bitcoin ETFs are widely incorporated into these plans, it will bring a steady stream of long-term capital to the crypto market, greatly enhancing market stability and liquidity, and further advancing institutionalization.
SEC Approves DTCC, Legislation Nears Implementation
Asset tokenization is moving from “concept” to “implementation,” and 2026 is likely to see a breakout. Forbes specifically mentions that the US SEC has approved the world’s largest clearinghouse, DTCC, to provide tokenization services, which is akin to giving a “green light” for on-chain assets.
Moreover, it is expected that formal legislation will be initiated in the second half of 2026, providing clear regulatory frameworks for asset tokenization.
The core of this trend is “digitalization of traditional assets,” such as stocks and government bonds, which could be tokenized and traded on-chain.
DTCC’s involvement means tokenization services will be supported by mature financial infrastructure, ensuring greater security and compliance, and increasing willingness among enterprises and institutions to participate.
Market Size Exceeds 300 Billion USD, Major Financial Giants Enter
Stablecoins, as the “funding bridge” in the crypto market, are poised for significant growth in 2026.
Currently, the stablecoin market size has surpassed 300 billion USD. The advancement of the GENIUS Act has directly attracted top fintech companies like Stripe and Klarna to enter the space.
This will not only improve stablecoin infrastructure but also expand its application scenarios.
Previously, stablecoins were mainly used for trading settlement within crypto circles. With the involvement of financial giants, they are likely to penetrate more offline payment and cross-border transfer scenarios in the future.
For investors, the prosperity of the stablecoin ecosystem will make capital flows in and out of the crypto market smoother, indirectly boosting overall market activity.
On-Chain Market Expansion
In 2026, the on-chain market will break the limitation of “only trading cryptocurrencies” and enter an era of “everything can be traded.”
Forbes data shows that platforms like Hyperliquid have already driven on-chain perpetual contract trading volume to nearly 3 trillion USD by 2025, and trading products are no longer limited to crypto assets but have expanded to traditional financial assets like oil and interest rates.
This indicates that the on-chain market is deeply integrating with traditional finance. Investors will no longer need to switch between multiple platforms; they can achieve one-stop trading of cryptocurrencies, commodities, and interest rate products directly on-chain.
This diversification trend will attract more traditional investors into the crypto ecosystem, further expanding market size.
The most anticipated cross-border trend in the rise of the machine economy is the deep integration of AI and cryptocurrencies.
Forbes predicts that in 2026, the “machine economy” will explode—high-frequency micro-payments between AI agents will rely on blockchain technology for low-cost, high-efficiency settlement, with public chains like Base and Solana already taking the lead in this field.
Simply put, future AI services and collaborations will generate small payments that can be quickly settled through encrypted networks.
This new application scenario will not only generate massive real transaction demand for blockchain but also foster more innovative projects combining AI and crypto, becoming one of the core investment themes for next year.
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