21shares Releases 2026 State of Crypto Report: Key Predictions for the Digital Asset Economy
Zurich, December 11, 2025 – 21shares, a leading provider of cryptocurrency exchange-traded products (ETPs), has unveiled its latest report titled State of Crypto, which outlines ten significant, evidence-based predictions for the digital asset landscape as it approaches 2026. This report provides a detailed analysis of how the trends forecasted for 2025 have unfolded amidst heightened institutional adoption, improved regulatory clarity, and a wave of product innovation.
A New Phase in Digital Assets
The State of Crypto report indicates that the digital asset market is entering a new phase characterized by robust structural inflows, macroeconomic realignments, and clearer regulatory guidelines. Key themes defined in this report include:
- Bitcoin’s gradual evolution in relation to its traditional halving cycle.
- The expansion of crypto ETPs to become a dominant investment vehicle.
- The burgeoning trillion-dollar stablecoin market.
- A resurgent decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem.
- The emergence of agentic finance.
Key Predictions for 2026
The report outlines several pivotal predictions that highlight the anticipated growth of the crypto market:
- Bitcoin's Maturity: The traditional four-year cycle of Bitcoin, driven by scheduled supply cuts, is diminishing in impact, signaling a shift toward its maturity as a macro asset.
- Crypto ETPs Set to Surpass Nasdaq-100 ETF: 21shares predicts that crypto ETPs will exceed $400 billion in assets under management (AUM) by 2026, positioning them as the standard for institutional-grade access.
- Stablecoin Adoption to Reach $1 Trillion: Following a significant increase in 2025, stablecoin circulation is expected to grow 3.3 times, reaching a market value of $1 trillion in 2026.
- Prediction Markets Gain Traction: The volume of annual trading in prediction markets is projected to surpass $100 billion, driven by global uncertainty and regulatory alignment.
- Tokenized Real-World Assets to Surpass $500 Billion: Predicted to escalate from $35 billion in total value locked (TVL) in 2025, tokenized assets are expected to surpass $500 billion by 2026, facilitated by favorable legislation such as the Clarity Act.
Insights from Industry Leaders
Adrian Fritz, Chief Investment Officer at 21shares, commented, “What we’re witnessing is crypto moving from the edges of finance to its core infrastructure. The data shows accelerating adoption, deeper liquidity, and clearer frameworks worldwide.”
Eliézer Ndinga, Global Head of Research at 21shares, added, “This State of Crypto report reflects how far the crypto industry has come, and how we expect it to continue innovating and attracting new participants.”
About 21shares
Founded to democratize cryptocurrency investment, 21shares has established itself as a leading provider of physically-backed crypto ETPs. The firm’s innovative approach bridges the gap between traditional financial systems and decentralized finance. As a subsidiary of FalconX, one of the world’s premier digital asset prime brokers, 21shares continues to leverage its resources while maintaining independent operations.
For more information on the 21shares and to access the full State of Crypto report, please visit www.21shares.com.
Important Disclaimer
This report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and individuals should consider their investment decisions carefully. Trading in crypto assets carries a high degree of risk, and readers should be aware of potential price volatility.