Bitcoin, Stablecoins, ETFs, and Tokenization Expected to Drive Next Growth Cycle
Crypto exchange Mercado Bitcoin has outlined six major trends it believes will define global cryptocurrency markets in 2026. The outlook points to accelerating institutional adoption, expanding regulatory clarity, and new onchain use cases transforming digital assets from speculative tools into core financial infrastructure.
One of the most notable projections is bitcoinâs growing role as a store of value. Mercado Bitcoin estimates that bitcoin could reach 14% of goldâs total market capitalization by the end of 2026. With bitcoin currently near 5.65% of goldâs value, this scenario implies a price increase of more than 100%, driven by institutional treasury adoption and demand for borderless, self-custodied assets.
Stablecoins are expected to see equally strong momentum. The report forecasts the stablecoin market expanding to $500 billion, up from roughly $307 billion today. Growth is being fueled by payments adoption, regulatory clarity, and rising interest in non U.S. dollarâpegged stablecoins.
Altcoin exchange-traded funds are another key trend. Following regulatory approvals in late 2025, ETFs tied to assets like XRP and Solana are projected to reach $10 billion in assets under management by 2026, with those two tokens accounting for the majority of inflows.
The report also highlights the rapid expansion of tokenized real-world assets, predicting the market will more than triple to exceed $54 billion as regulators and major financial institutions embrace blockchain-based issuance.
Prediction markets are forecast to grow 25-fold, potentially reaching $20 billion in locked value, while AI-powered blockchain agents are expected to significantly boost onchain transaction volumes. Together, these trends suggest 2026 could mark a turning point in cryptoâs integration with global finance.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.