CEX: Multiple forces will converge in 2026, driving the acceleration of cryptocurrency adoption

On January 1st, CEX Investment Research Director David Duong stated that the convergence of ETFs, stablecoins, tokenization, and clearer regulations will create a synergistic effect in 2026, further accelerating the mainstream adoption of cryptocurrencies. He pointed out that the approval of spot ETFs in 2025 opened up compliance pathways, the rise of corporate crypto asset treasuries, and that stablecoins and tokenization are becoming more deeply integrated into core financial processes. By 2026, accelerated ETF approvals, expanded roles of stablecoins in DvP (delivery versus payment), and broader acceptance of tokenized collateral will reinforce each other. On the regulatory front, the US has clarified stablecoins and market structure through the GENIUS Act, while Europe is advancing the MiCA regulatory framework, providing clearer policy boundaries for institutional entry. Duong believes this marks an important stage where crypto moves from niche markets to a vital part of global financial infrastructure. Additionally, he emphasized that crypto demand is no longer driven by a single narrative but is jointly propelled by macroeconomics, technology, and geopolitical factors, with capital structures becoming more long-term and reducing pure speculation.