73% of Institutional Investors to Increase Crypto Holdings in 2026 — Coinbase

A comprehensive joint survey by Coinbase and EY-Parthenon, published on March 20, 2026, sent a clear signal: institutional capital is not losing interest in cryptocurrencies. The survey of 351 investment decision-makers revealed that 73% of major players plan to increase their crypto portfolios during 2026. Meanwhile, 74% of respondents expect digital asset prices to rise over the next 12 months — despite Bitcoin losing over 40% of its value since October 2025.

Survey scope and participants

The survey covered 351 investment decision-makers from various types of institutions worldwide: hedge funds, family offices, asset managers, private banks, venture capital firms, and large asset owners. The research was conducted in January 2026 — a period when markets were experiencing a deep correction following the October peak.

Notably, even under these conditions, the absolute majority of respondents maintained a bullish outlook. This indicates a fundamental shift in the perception of crypto assets — from speculative instruments to a full-fledged asset class within portfolios.

Key findings: allocations and forecasts

The main conclusion of the study is that 73% of institutional investors intend to increase their digital asset allocation. At the same time, 74% forecast crypto price growth over the next 12 months, pointing to long-term optimism despite short-term volatility.

Nearly half of respondents noted that recent volatility prompted them to reassess their approaches to risk management, liquidity, and position sizing. However, this did not diminish overall enthusiasm — on the contrary, investors transitioned to a more mature and systematic approach.

Stablecoins becoming an operational standard

One of the most significant findings was the stablecoin adoption rate: 86% of institutional investors already use or plan to implement stablecoins such as USDT for operational needs. Primary use cases include T+0 settlement, internal cash flow management, and faster cross-border transfers.

Tokenization of real-world assets is also rapidly gaining momentum: 63% of investors showed significant interest in tokenized investments. Over 60% expect tokenization to substantially transform trading, clearing, and settlement within the next 3–5 years. Coinbase analysts believe that stablecoins and tokenization will become the primary drivers of institutional growth in the second half of 2026.

ETFs as the primary access channel

Spot exchange-traded funds have solidified their position as the main tool for institutional crypto access: 66% of respondents already gain exposure through ETFs, while 81% prefer spot instruments via registered investment vehicles. According to the study, this is not a temporary trend — ETFs serve specific investor segments that require transparency and regulatory protection.

At the same time, custodial service priorities have shifted dramatically. The importance of regulatory compliance surged from 25% to 66% in just one year, while key-signing protocol security jumped from 8% to 66%. Cost of services, previously a key factor, fell to the bottom of the priority list. This means institutions are willing to pay more for reliability and regulatory compliance.

What this means for the market

The regulatory environment remains a double-edged factor: 65% of those increasing allocations cited regulatory clarity as a key catalyst for their decision, while 66% of all respondents identified regulatory uncertainty as the primary risk. Recent joint guidance from the SEC and CFTC on crypto asset classification partially addresses this issue, but the market still awaits comprehensive legislation.

The study confirms a sustained trend: even amid deep market correction and declining prices for Ethereum and other altcoins, major institutional players view cryptocurrencies as a long-term, permanent portfolio component. The transition from speculative approaches to building operational infrastructure signals a new phase of maturity for the cryptocurrency market.