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ETFs, Stablecoins and Tokenization Set Up Crypto’s Next Institutional Leg in 2026

Clearer rules together with DTCC’s tokenization greenlight are moving firms from plans to integrations.

Overview

  • Coinbase research chief David Duong says 2025’s gains will compound in 2026, with faster ETF approvals, greater stablecoin use in delivery-versus-payment, and wider recognition of tokenized collateral.
  • The GENIUS Act in the U.S. and MiCA in the EU are giving institutions defined guardrails to plug crypto into payments, collateral and settlement workflows.
  • Global crypto ETFs and ETPs now hold in excess of $200 billion, while stablecoins sit near a $300 billion market cap yet process trillions across venues and DeFi.
  • The SEC approved DTCC to offer tokenization services in December, a step industry voices say brings traditional securities infrastructure closer to blockchain rails.
  • Coinbase is positioning for the shift with an agreement to acquire The Clearing Company and lawsuits challenging state limits on prediction markets as it pursues an 'Everything Exchange' strategy.