The crypto market in 2026 is really about to change its landscape.

Many people are still debating Bitcoin's ups and downs, but what we need to see clearly are a few deeper underlying trends.

First, look at the macro picture. The US economy is slowing down, yet inflation stubbornly refuses to go away. Although global central banks are cutting interest rates, the pace is noticeably slower than in 2025. If this trend continues, by the end of 2026, the US interest rate gap will be around 3%. More importantly, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's term ends in May 2026, which could introduce policy uncertainties. Once liquidity tightens, all risk assets will be affected.

Next, where is the money flowing? On the surface, the market appears calm, but beneath the surface, there are turbulent currents. Last year, institutional channels like Bitcoin ETFs saw nearly $44 billion in net inflows, yet the price of Bitcoin didn't skyrocket—in fact, many veteran players quietly cashed out. Looking at the holding periods, Q4 of last year set a record high, indicating a massive amount of selling pressure was silently absorbed by the market. This actually reflects a core issue—the structure of market participants is undergoing a qualitative change.

The most interesting development is the shift in regulatory attitude. US regulators are no longer solely opposing but are beginning to pave the way for traditional assets (like stocks) to be tokenized and traded on-chain. This effectively opens a new door for global capital, and the next wave of funds could be just around the corner.

There are also changes in DeFi, which are often overlooked. Previously, DeFi projects dared not charge fees for fear of attracting attention. But now, the trend has completely shifted. Some mainstream DEX protocols have started implementing fee sharing, meaning projects now have real cash flow. This marks a qualitative shift from "speculative expectations" to "profit-supported" models.

2026 will no longer be an era of wild growth; institutions, regulation, and new economic models will redefine market rules. Volatility may decrease, but complexity will increase. Which trend do you think has the most potential?