Crypto Predictions for 2026
According to Haseeb Qureshi, managing partner at crypto VC firm Dragonfly, major tech players are set to incorporate crypto wallets by 2026. He also anticipates that several Fortune 100 companies will begin to roll out their own blockchain networks.
In a recent post on X, Qureshi suggested that the bulk of this adoption will likely arise from the banking and fintech sectors. Many of these companies are expected to utilize established crypto infrastructures like Avalanche, the OP stack, Orbit, and ZK stack. This could provide networks a way to retain some privacy and restrictions while still connecting to public blockchains.
Several prominent firms within the Fortune 100, including JPMorgan, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, and IBM, have already developed private blockchains. However, many of these systems remain in testing phases or are used in limited contexts.
Earlier this month, crypto investment group Galaxy Digital hinted that at least one Fortune 500 bank, a cloud service provider, or an e-commerce platform is likely to launch a layer 1 blockchain in 2026, aiming to facilitate over $1 billion in real economic transactions and enhancing access to decentralized financial services.
Qureshi suggested that a major tech corporation, potentially Google, Meta, or Apple, would introduce or acquire a crypto wallet in 2026, which might open up the world of cryptocurrencies to billions more users.
Fintech Chains and Ethereum’s Position
Despite his optimistic predictions, Qureshi expressed skepticism about new layer 1 blockchains led by fintech companies. He believes these platforms may struggle to draw enough users or generate sufficient activity to rival established networks like Ethereum and Solana.
He noted, “Even with the buzz surrounding fintech chains, their performance metrics are likely to fall short.” Qureshi mentioned that platforms like Tempo, Arc, and Robinhood Chain might not deliver as needed in terms of daily active users, stablecoin usage, and real-world asset integration, while Ethereum and Solana would likely excel.
“Top developers will probably keep building on neutral infrastructure,” he added.
Bitcoin’s Future
Looking ahead, Dragonfly’s executives project Bitcoin will exceed $150,000 by the end of 2026 but may see a decline in its market dominance. Meanwhile, Galaxy Digital has been cautious, stating that predicting exact prices for 2026 is challenging, with possible values ranging from $50,000 to $250,000.
Qureshi also forecasts a 60% growth in the $312 billion stablecoin market by 2026, although he predicts that Tether’s (USDT) market share will dip from 60% to 55%.
Views on Prediction Markets and AI’s Role
Qureshi remains optimistic about prediction markets continuing their momentum next year. However, he is skeptical about any significant applications of AI in cryptocurrencies beyond enhancing security. He mentioned that by 2026, “AI agents still won’t be meaningfully exchanging or spending money,” and effective tools to combat spambots on social media are unlikely to emerge.
