Digital Assets Expected to Evolve into Financial Infrastructure by 2026

According to BlockBeats, investment bank B. Riley has indicated that as regulatory frameworks mature and traditional financial institutions increasingly adopt blockchain technology, digital assets are anticipated to transition from speculative investments to practical financial infrastructure by 2026. Analysts highlight that clearer regulatory guidelines for stablecoins, ongoing tokenization of real-world assets (RWA) by institutions, improved governance frameworks, and enhanced interoperability between bank ledgers and public blockchains are collectively transforming the 'use' of digital assets beyond mere 'trading.' This evolution is prompting digital asset treasury companies to shift from merely accumulating tokens to integrating digital assets into operations to develop sustainable, recurring revenue business models. MSCI's decision to delay the exclusion of companies with significant crypto asset holdings from its indices is seen as a short-term positive for the valuation and capital inflow of digital asset-related companies. B. Riley notes that companies like BitMine are transitioning from simply hoarding tokens to engaging in revenue-generating operational businesses, a shift expected to spread across the industry.