Digital assets in 2026 will face a turning point: shifting from speculative assets to practical infrastructure

2026-01-08 14:12:13

【Blockchain Rhythm】A viewpoint from a well-known investment bank is worth noting. According to reports, as regulatory frameworks become increasingly完善 and traditional financial institutions begin large-scale deployment of blockchain technology, digital assets are expected to reach a critical turning point by 2026—evolving from purely speculative assets to genuine financial infrastructure.

What is driving this transformation? Analysts believe there are several key factors: the gradual clarification of regulatory rules for stablecoins, progress in tokenization of real-world assets (RWA), improvements in governance frameworks, and enhanced interoperability between traditional bank ledgers and public blockchains. These factors combined are changing the entire “use case ecosystem” of digital assets, not just the way they are traded.

The most direct manifestation is the shift in business models. Previously, many digital asset-related companies were just buying and holding coins; now, the trend is reversing—they are starting to invest assets into operations that generate actual income. This is not simple accumulation but treating digital assets as real production materials to operate, building sustainable recurring revenue models.

Another detail not to be overlooked: MSCI has temporarily delayed removing high-percentage crypto asset holders from its indices. This move has sent positive signals to the valuation and capital flow of the entire sector in the short term. Industry insiders expect this shift from holding to operating will gradually spread across the entire industry.

RWA-8,08%

View Original

This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.

24 Likes

Reward
24
10
Repost
Share

Comment

0/400

ShibaMillionairen't

· 01-11 14:06

2026... Do I have to wait that long? I've already seen enough of the speculators' tricks, and I really hope this time it's not just another wave of new ways to cut leeks.

View OriginalReply0

TaxEvader

· 01-11 13:45

We still have to wait until 2026; let's see if the crypto world can survive until then in 2025.

View OriginalReply0

PseudoIntellectual

· 01-11 07:48

2026, huh... sounds like another new turning point narrative, we've heard this phrase too many times It depends on whether it can really be implemented. The RWA part doesn't seem to be moving as quickly as expected However, the clarity of the regulatory framework is somewhat interesting. If stablecoins can be truly streamlined, it could be a substantial benefit to the ecosystem

View OriginalReply0

MindsetExpander

· 01-08 14:41

Is infrastructure coming in 2026? I doubt it. Regulations are loosening and tightening, and who knows, they might come up with new tricks again. This wave of RWA and stablecoins sounds good coming from investment banks, but whether they will truly materialize depends on each country's policy stance. How long have people been hyping the shift from holding coins to operating them? Yet some are still betting on the coin price. Stop pretending.

View OriginalReply0

fren.eth

· 01-08 14:41

2026... If it can truly shift to practical application, it will depend on who can survive until then. For now, it's all just vapor.

View OriginalReply0

AirdropHustler

· 01-08 14:40

2026? Friend, I think we need to wait a bit longer. It's still too early to talk about infrastructure; we're still in the speculative stage, haha. --- RWA tokenization sounds good, but I don't know which projects will actually land. Most are probably just PPTs. --- Switching to actual revenue operations? What should I do with these tokens I hold... --- Whenever regulations improve, the token price drops. I've seen this happen too many times. Better to be cautious. --- Clear rules for stablecoins are a good thing, but will banks really use public blockchains? I have doubts about that. --- Wait, so does that mean I should go all in or cut my losses? 2026 is still a bit far. --- The interoperability between traditional banks and public blockchains has been discussed for two years. We should wait and see how the actual progress unfolds.

View OriginalReply0

LucidSleepwalker

· 01-08 14:37

2026, right? I've heard this argument too many times. Every year they say there's going to be a turning point. Let's wait and see when that year actually comes. RWA sounds good, but who is really using it now? Still just hype. From holding coins to generating income, it sounds like turning a casino into a coffee shop. Essentially, it's the same thing. Is the regulatory framework improving? Ha, that depends on policy trends, my friend. Not denying that the trend might be shifting, but most projects are still just storytelling. How many can actually be implemented? Stablecoins are indeed moving, I agree.

View OriginalReply0

Tokenomics911

· 01-08 14:24

2026? Buddy, that's a bit optimistic for the timeline. There's no news from the regulators yet.

View OriginalReply0

GweiWatcher

· 01-08 14:22

Here comes the story of 2026 again, investment banks are starting to make promises again. However, the RWA sector is indeed moving, but it's uncertain whether it can hold up until then.

View OriginalReply0

FlatlineTrader