Crypto 2026: Predictions, 2025 Awards, and Trump’s Spotlight
Fortune’s Crypto Playbook weighs 2026 outlook after a standout 2025, with Bitcoin under $100,000
The latest episode of Fortune’s Crypto Playbook podcast—available on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube—featured finance editor Jeff John Roberts and senior reporter Leo Schwartz discussing what 2026 could mean for the crypto industry following what they described as a triumphant 2025.
The conversation highlighted a key tension shaping the market: crypto is drawing broader attention and experimentation, but parts of the ecosystem are showing strain. Bitcoin has fallen below $100,000, and digital asset treasury (DAT) companies are described as “underwater,” underscoring how quickly sentiment and balance sheets can shift even after a strong year for the sector.
At the same time, the episode pointed to growing institutional and consumer-facing activity around blockchain-adjacent use cases. Banks are moving quickly to explore stablecoins, while prediction markets—described as red-hot—are increasingly employing blockchain technology.
One segment focused on the outlook for DATs, a category drawing both interest and skepticism. According to the discussion, 21Shares and most other firms expect that most DATs will fail. However, 21Shares also forecast that DAT assets under management will increase 130%, reaching $250 billion in 2026, suggesting that even if many players struggle, the overall pool of assets could still grow.
Why it matters: the episode frames 2026 as a period when crypto’s mainstream presence—through stablecoin pilots, prediction market infrastructure, and new corporate models like DATs—may expand even as price volatility and business-model risk remain central features of the market.
