CoinDesk Podcast Network Will These Three Areas Dominate Crypto in 2026? | CoinDesk Daily
Dec 29, 2025
A fascinating look into the future of crypto reveals predictions for 2026, focusing on institutional participation and the importance of market plumbing. Changes to China's digital yuan are set to transform its financial landscape with interest payments and new bank deposit statuses. Meanwhile, Ethereum enthusiasts can look forward to the Higoda upgrade, which promises exciting enhancements alongside the already anticipated Glamsterdam. These discussions highlight the rapid evolution of privacy and inclusivity in the blockchain space.
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2026 Defined By Institutions And Market Plumbing
- Coinbase Institutional predicts 2026 crypto will be driven by institutional participation and market plumbing rather than retail hype.
- This signals a shift from token-launch speculation to infrastructure and professional trading dynamics.
Prioritize Institutional-Grade Infrastructure
- Focus product and risk plans on institutional needs like margin practices and reliable price discovery.
- Prioritize infrastructure and liquidity rather than retail-driven token launches.
Perpetuals, Prediction Markets, Stablecoins Matter
- Perpetual futures now anchor price discovery and tighter margin practices help markets absorb shocks more efficiently.
- Prediction markets and stablecoins are highlighted as durable financial infrastructure and real-world use cases.