Institutions Go Nuts for Crypto in 2026: 73% Plan to Buy More

Growing institutional participation in digital assets is less a wild ride and more a guided tour featuring risk controls and regulated access. Coinbase published results from a January 2026 survey of 351 institutional investors globally in a report on March 18, highlighting shifts in allocation strategy and infrastructure priorities. The findings point to sustained expansion plans alongside tighter governance standards across crypto portfolios.

Notably, nearly three-quarters of respondents intend to increase digital asset allocations in 2026, while expectations for market performance remain strong. The report states:

“73% of respondents intend to increase their digital asset allocations in 2026, driven by greater regulatory clarity, expanded availability of regulated products and improved infrastructure.”

Amid this expansion, sentiment toward price trends remains positive alongside heightened risk awareness. Coinbase and EY Parthenon stated, “74% expect crypto prices to rise over the next 12 months.” They also noted, “49% say recent volatility strengthened their focus on risk management, liquidity, and position sizing.”

Regulation and Infrastructure Drive the Next Phase of Growth

Around 65% of investors planning to raise exposure identified clearer rules as a primary catalyst, yet 66% simultaneously cited regulatory uncertainty as a leading concern. Market structure ranked as the top area requiring clarity, cited by 78% of participants, while tokenized assets face similar constraints tied to unclear rules.

Institutional positioning reflects a broader structural shift in how digital assets are integrated into portfolios. Coinbase and EY Parthenon described a transition away from speculative drivers toward disciplined execution, where regulated access and operational controls define participation. This phase aligns with a new cycle of inflows supported by institutional-grade infrastructure rather than earlier reliance on retail-driven momentum.

Portfolio construction is also shifting toward familiar financial instruments and institutional safeguards. Two-thirds of respondents reported exposure through spot crypto ETFs or ETPs, and 81% favor regulated vehicles for spot holdings. Custody priorities have also shifted, with 66% emphasizing regulatory compliance and security protocols, a sharp increase from prior-year levels. Multi-custodian strategies remain common, used by 61% of firms to mitigate operational risk.

Globally, regulatory divergence continues to influence adoption patterns and capital flows. While clearer frameworks in jurisdictions such as Europe and parts of Asia attract participation through defined licensing and compliance standards, uncertainty in other markets remains a constraint. This divergence reinforces the role of policy consistency in determining how quickly institutional capital scales within digital asset markets.

Beyond core allocations, infrastructure adoption is accelerating in areas such as stablecoins and tokenization. Coinbase and EY Parthenon stated:

“Tokenization is expected to begin meaningfully impacting trading, clearing, and settlement.”

Interest in tokenized assets continues to expand alongside stablecoin usage, with 86% of respondents either using or exploring stablecoins for settlement and treasury functions.

Ultimately, institutional strategies are evolving toward disciplined execution rather than speculative exposure. The report details: “Momentum is rising: asset manager interest in tokenizing assets rose from 40% to 64% YoY, and investor interest in tokenized assets increased from 57% to 63%. Scaling will greatly depend on regulatory clarity, integration, and secondary liquidity.”

FAQ 🧭

• Why are institutions increasing crypto allocations now?
  Greater regulatory clarity and improved infrastructure are driving increased institutional exposure.
• What risks are institutions most focused on in crypto markets?
  Investors are prioritizing risk management, liquidity, and position sizing amid volatility.
• How are institutions gaining exposure to digital assets?
  Most prefer regulated vehicles such as spot crypto ETFs and ETPs for safer access.
• What role does regulation play in crypto market growth?
  Policy clarity remains the key factor determining institutional capital inflows and scaling.