Coinbase Predicts 2026 Surge in Crypto Adoption Fueled by Key Trends

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Crypto adoption is poised to accelerate in 2026 as several major trends build upon each other, states Coinbase’s head of investment research, David Duong. He points to the converging momentum from exchange-traded funds, stablecoins, tokenization, and clearer regulatory frameworks as the driving force.

In a recent year-end outlook, Duong highlighted that 2025 served as a critical inflection point. The year saw regulated spot ETFs broaden investor access, witnessed corporate crypto treasury strategies gain acceptance, and observed stablecoins and tokenized assets integrating more deeply into conventional financial systems.

Duong contends these trends are not fleeting but are expected to intensify. He projects that their combined effect will grow stronger as ETF approvals become more efficient, stablecoins expand their use in payment settlements, and tokenized collateral gains wider acceptance in traditional finance.

Although the growth in global crypto adoption has been more gradual than some early predictions, its path has been consistent. Analytics indicate the adoption rate has hovered within a tight range over the last two years.

Duong interprets this stability as a sign of a market that is maturing, not stalling. He identifies the regulatory clarity achieved in several key jurisdictions during 2025 as a pivotal development, changing how institutions assess risk and allocate capital for the future.