The Binance executive believes the market could be moving toward less pronounced cycles as crypto becomes a more stable and mature asset class.
The year 2026 is less than three weeks away, and market experts have begun to announce their predictions for the crypto sector. One of them is Richard Teng, the co-CEO of the world’s largest crypto exchange, whose insights are optimistic about the crypto market.
According to a commentary sent to CryptoPotato, Teng believes the budding sector will see growth beyond hype and speculation. He expects the industry to enter a pivotal new phase defined by a deeper integration into the global financial system and a maturing market dynamic.
This year, the crypto market landscape has evolved from retail to institutional ownership. Bitcoin (BTC) held by public companies and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) rose steadily, exceeding 2.5 million. Contrarily, assets held on exchanges fell to 2.94 million BTC, their lowest level in five years. The shift in the profile of Bitcoin holders has kick-started a trend that could soften the severity of bear markets, reduce volatility, and weaken speculative price swings.
It is safe to say that the market could be moving toward less pronounced cycles as it becomes a more stable and mature asset class. Cryptocurrencies are gradually becoming strategic financial tools rather than speculative instruments.
Amid this shift, over 200 public companies now hold BTC, and there is a 14% rise in institutional users on trading platforms like Binance. In fact, the crypto exchange recorded a 13% spike in institutional trading volume this year. More firms are viewing crypto as a means of diversification and long-term value preservation.
By next year, Teng expects that corporate treasuries will diversify beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum into major altcoins. He also believes governments and public institutions will engage more actively with the crypto sector via regulatory frameworks and pilot programs. This suggests that there will be increased regulatory clarity and investment products, such as ETFs, for the industry by 2026.
Furthermore, Teng believes that the combination of artificial intelligence and blockchain will enable the creation of smarter, more secure infrastructure next year. With solid technical innovation, developers and projects can prevent losses from attacks, personalize user experiences, enhance compliance, and boost platform efficiency.
