Signs that the demand for cryptocurrencies could surge in 2026

As gold and silver prices continue to reach new highs, smaller market cap metals like copper are also attracting strong investment interest. Blockchain technology is expected to become an important bridge, helping this capital penetrate the cryptocurrency market through asset tokenization.

Copper – The New Star in the Metal Market

Recent indicators suggest that copper prices may soon enter a strong growth cycle similar to silver, with tokenized copper expected to explode in 2026.

Supply and demand for copper (2025–2040) | Source: Toto Finance### Strong Copper Demand Over the Next 15 Years

Toto Finance, a commodity tokenization platform for institutions, forecasts that global copper demand could reach 42 million tons by 2040. Meanwhile, supply is projected to peak around 2030, then gradually decline.

According to the “Copper Demand and Supply (2025–2040)” chart from Toto Finance, copper demand will steadily increase to nearly 40 million tons by 2040. Conversely, supply will peak at 28–30 million tons in 2030 before dropping sharply. This creates an ever-widening supply-demand gap, signaling a future supply crisis.

This is not a short-term cycle but a structural imbalance, making copper a strategic resource. Toto Finance emphasizes that copper tokenization will open a new path for access, ownership, and liquidity, making copper a more easily tradable digital asset.

“This is not an ordinary cycle but a structural imbalance. When copper becomes a strategic resource, tokenization will be the way to redefine access, ownership, and liquidity,” Toto Finance states.

Experts believe that copper scarcity has already begun and will become more severe. According to Mike Investing, over the next 18 years, the amount of copper to be mined will be equivalent to the total mined over the past 10,000 years. He predicts copper prices could increase 2 to 5 times within just 14 months.

Artificial Intelligence and Electrification – The Main Drivers of Copper Demand

The two biggest drivers boosting copper demand are the explosive growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and the expansion of the global power grid. According to Katusa Research, demand from AI infrastructure and electrification will make copper increasingly scarce.

New data centers alone are expected to consume about 400,000 tons of copper annually from now until 2035. Meanwhile, electric vehicles (EVs) require three times more copper than traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.

Additionally, modern defense systems and drones are also increasing demand for electronic components, pushing global copper supply into a state of alarm.

However, new mining projects often take up to 17 years to come into production. At the same time, ore quality is declining, and many large mines are gradually closing. These factors further exacerbate the supply-demand imbalance.

Early Signals from the Cryptocurrency Market

Currently, the level of access of crypto investors to tokenized copper and related real-world assets (RWAs) remains limited. However, recent demand for trading tokenized gold and silver has shown positive growth signs, opening prospects for copper.

Some early signals have already appeared. The tokenized version of the Global X Copper Miners ETF (COPXON) issued by Ondo quickly reached a market cap of $3 million in its first week after launch in January.

Market capitalization of Global X Copper Miners ETF (COPXON) | Source: CoingeckoRemora Markets, a platform for trading tokenized stocks on Solana, also reported a remarkable revenue increase, reaching $110 million. This boom is driven by demand for NASDAQ-listed tokenized stocks and metal-related assets.

Assets Under Management (AUM) of Copper Stock (CPERr) over time | Source: DuneTotal value of Copper Stock (CPERr) on Remora Markets surged in the last week of January. Although still small, this could be an initial sign that crypto investors are gradually interested in metal assets like copper.

Asset Tokenization – The Explosive Trend in 2026

Many experts predict that asset tokenization will become a booming trend in 2026, creating opportunities for innovative startups and offering new capabilities for traders. Tokenized copper is not only a digital asset but also a bridge between traditional markets and cryptocurrencies, ushering in a new era for commodity trading.