The grand show begins in 2026: Regulatory turning points will determine institutional attitudes and trends

A recent analysis report from Goldman Sachs has delivered a heavy blow to the market. James Gorman, head of Goldman Sachs’ analysis team, bluntly stated: The true adoption of cryptocurrencies by institutions fundamentally depends on the improvement of the legal environment. This is quite a sobering statement—the key to market recovery is in the hands of policymakers.

Especially with the long-awaited “Market Structure Act” in the United States now on the congressional agenda. Goldman Sachs team views this bill as a critical catalyst for the crypto industry, but they also highlight a real issue: the bill must be completed by the first half of 2026, or the November US midterm elections could disrupt the entire rhythm. The time window is a decisive factor.

Institutional Investors’ “Cautious” Stance

Jim Ferraro, head of crypto research and strategy at Charles Schwab’s Center for Financial Research, has a nuanced attitude. He admits that the crash at the end of 2025 indeed cooled institutional enthusiasm, and believes that the pace of institutional adoption may slow in the first half of the year. But this guy isn’t entirely pessimistic—once the “Transparency Act” passes, institutional participation will be ignited. This is a typical “optimistic but cautious” stance.

Bitcoin Price Outlook: Cautiously Optimistic or Overhyped?

Bitdeer Chief Economist Yuvi Yang provided a bold figure: Bitcoin could reach $225,000 by 2026. His logic is that falling interest rates combined with a warming regulatory attitude are the two main drivers. However, this economist is also quite smart, not forgetting to pour cold water—macroeconomic instability and geopolitical risks could escalate market volatility at any time.

The current consensus is clear: 2026 could be a turning point for Bitcoin and the entire crypto market. But whether this turning point will truly occur depends on policy progress—the true fulcrum, like a balancing weight on a scale, is the direction of policy.