What will 2026 bring to the crypto market? Binance CEO Richard Teng shares his perspective

By 2026, there will be less than three weeks remaining, and market experts have already begun releasing forecasts for the crypto industry. One notable perspective comes from Richard Teng, Co-CEO of the world’s largest crypto exchange, with an optimistic outlook on the industry’s prospects.

Mr. Teng believes that crypto is transitioning from a phase driven by hype and speculation into a new growth cycle. This stage will be shaped by deeper integration into the global financial system and an increasingly mature market structure.

Increasing crypto acceptance in 2026

This year, the crypto market landscape has shifted markedly from individual investors to institutional players. The amount of Bitcoin held by publicly traded companies and ETF funds continues to rise, surpassing 2.5 million BTC. Conversely, the amount of BTC stored on exchanges has decreased to about 2.94 million, the lowest in five years.

The change in the composition of Bitcoin holders is initiating a new trend that could soften the severity of downturn cycles, reduce volatility, and limit speculative swings. The market is expected to gradually move toward less extreme cycles as crypto is increasingly regarded as a stable and mature asset class.

In this context, over 200 publicly traded companies now hold BTC. The number of institutional users on trading platforms like Binance has increased by 14%, while trading volume from this group has risen by 13% this year. More and more businesses see crypto as a tool for diversification and long-term value preservation.

Looking ahead to next year, Mr. Teng forecasts that corporate treasuries will not only hold Bitcoin and Ethereum but will also expand into major altcoins. He also believes that governments and public organizations will become more actively involved in the crypto space through regulatory frameworks and pilot programs, thereby promoting regulatory clarity and paving the way for new investment products, including ETFs, before 2026.

The role of technological innovation

Aside from institutional factors, Mr. Teng emphasizes that the combination of artificial intelligence and blockchain will play a key role in building smarter and safer infrastructure in the coming year. Robust technological innovations can help projects and developers minimize attack risks, personalize user experiences, improve compliance, and enhance operational efficiency.

“Ultimately, 2026 will mark a shift away from hype and speculation toward creating tangible, scalable value. We believe the next chapter of the crypto industry will revolve around purposeful acceptance, trust, and long-term impact,” concludes Co-CEO Richard Teng.