A major survey conducted by Coinbase and EY-Parthenon in January 2026 reveals robust institutional confidence in the cryptocurrency market despite recent volatility. The survey, which polled 351 institutional investors globally—including asset managers, hedge funds, and family offices—found that 74% of respondents expect cryptocurrency prices to rise over the next 12 months. Furthermore, 73% plan to increase their allocations to digital assets before the end of 2026.
The findings highlight a significant shift in how institutions access the market. Two-thirds of respondents now prefer regulated vehicles like Exchange-Traded Products (ETPs) over direct on-chain holdings, reflecting the maturation of the product landscape following the approval of spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs in the U.S.
Regulatory clarity remains a paramount concern and catalyst. More than three-quarters of respondents cited market structure regulation as the most important area requiring clarity. The passage of the GENIUS Act in July 2025, which established a federal framework for payment stablecoins, is viewed as a key driver. 83% of institutions said this law will increase financial institutions' willingness to engage with stablecoins, and the same percentage already use or plan to use stablecoins for payments, settlement, and treasury operations.
The survey also underscores growing institutional interest in emerging blockchain use cases. 63% of investors expressed interest in gaining exposure to tokenized real-world assets (RWAs), and 61% expect tokenization to significantly impact market structure in the coming years. This aligns with the rapid growth seen in 2025, where platforms like Morpho saw RWA deposits surge to $400 million.
Despite the bullish outlook, recent market turbulence has left its mark. Nearly half (49%) of respondents said recent volatility has led them to place greater emphasis on risk management, liquidity, and position sizing, rather than reducing their overall exposure, indicating a more sophisticated and resilient approach from institutional capital.
