Major institutions release 2026 crypto outlooks spotlighting stablecoins, ETFs and cycle uncertainty

BlackRock, Fidelity, JPMorgan, Coinbase, VanEck, Galaxy Digital, 21Shares and Forbes released their 2026 crypto outlooks on Jan. 3, highlighting stablecoins and continued institutionalization while showing divergent views on the four-year cycle, BlockBeats reports. Coinbase projects the stablecoin total market cap will reach around $1.2 trillion; Galaxy Digital expects the U.S. to launch over 50 spot altcoin ETFs with spot crypto ETF net inflows exceeding $50 billion, and sees BTC reaching $250,000 by end-2027 while noting wide potential upside and downside for 2026. 21Shares forecasts crypto ETF assets under management will surpass $400 billion in 2026; VanEck views the four-year cycle as intact and estimates this cycle's drawdown may narrow to around 40% with markets already down about 35%, making 2026 more likely a consolidation year. BlackRock said stablecoins could challenge government control of fiat and risk shrinking emerging-market currency usage; Fidelity said more countries may buy Bitcoin and warned company asset sales in bear markets could weigh on prices; JPMorgan expects growing stablecoin adoption as some explore dollar alternatives; Forbes highlighted crypto-AI linkage and steady institutional adoption even if markets cool.