While the role of institutional players in cryptocurrency markets is gradually growing, a new industry report indicates that there may be radical changes in the financial system in the coming years. Published by Finery MarketsWould Anyone Miss Banking Rails? The 2030 Institutional Crypto CycleThe report, titled ”, reveals how institutional crypto adoption will evolve in the 2026–2030 period.
The study, based on transaction data of more than 150 institutional market participants from 40 countries and survey results of liquidity providers, market makers and OTC desks, emphasizes that regulatory clarity and the rise of the stablecoin economy have triggered a new cycle.
2026: Corporate Expectations Are Changing
According to the report, 2026 stands out as a transition period for crypto markets. All participants expect crypto-friendly banking access to improve in the coming period. Reducing regulatory uncertainty is seen as one of the most important factors facilitating the entry of institutional capital into the market.
However, increasing competition has begun to pressure profit margins. While 75% of the companies participating in the survey reported a contraction in transaction margins, it is stated that liquidity providers absorbed this pressure with operational efficiency rather than increasing risks.
On the other hand, the industry is divided in two regarding the tokenization of real-world assets (RWA). While 57% of the participants state that they have started to quote prices for RWAs or are preparing to enter the market, 43% state that they do not see a clear usage area yet.
The sharp market decline in late 2025 limited growth expectations. 80% of participants predict that the OTC spot market can grow by at most 30% in the next 12 months.
Crypto Leadership Is Shifting From Europe
One of the striking findings of the report was the change in the regional balance of power. The European Union, which was seen as the fastest growing crypto market in 2024, fell behind in the perception of 2026.
34% of corporate respondents viewed North America as the leading region, while Asia came in second at 20%. Europe, on the other hand, is positioned behind even Africa, the Middle East-North Africa (MENA) and Latin America.
It is considered that US-based regulatory frameworks and the dollar-based stablecoin ecosystem are decisive in this change.
2030 Perspective: Stablecoins Challenge Banking
According to the report, the industry has now left the theoretical growth phase behind and the new corporate crypto cycle has actually begun. It is stated that the USA has taken the lead in shaping global crypto standards thanks to its deep capital markets and large asset management volume.
The rise of dollar-based stablecoins, in particular, directly challenges the traditional two-tier banking model. It is stated that stablecoin issuers are no longer just means of payment, but also actors directing liquidity directly to the capital markets.
According to the report, stablecoin issuers are among the largest institutional buyers of US Treasury bonds today and hold approximately $24 billion in gold reserves.
24/7 Financial Infrastructure Creates New Problems
As we move towards 2030, one of the biggest technical challenges of the sector will be adapting to an uninterrupted financial infrastructure. The 24/7/365 open nature of crypto markets has resulted in the fragmentation of price discovery processes, requiring the redefinition of “free circulation” metrics used in market value calculations.
According to experts, success in the future will be achieved not only through regulatory control but also through strategic infrastructure policies. This transformation is expected to create significant efficiency increases, especially in back office operations.
Has the New Cycle Begun?
The Finery Markets report reveals that 2026 could be an inflection point for institutional crypto adoption. Regulatory clarification, the growth of the stablecoin economy and the transition of global finance to a seamless digital infrastructure indicate that the next four years could reshape not only crypto markets but also the traditional financial system.
