2026 Will Be A Boom Year For Crypto ETFs: Analysts

Crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are set to explode by 2026, with more than 100 new ETFs expected and billions of dollars in net income flowing into the investment vehicles, analysts say.

Senior Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas forecasts capital inflows of $15 billion by 2026 and could reach $40 billion if market conditions improve. The U.S. Federal Reserve is likely to lower interest rates in 2026, pushing net income toward the mid- or high-end of its projections, Balchunas told Cointelegraph.

ETF investors have been structural price support for Bitcoin (BTC), he said, adding that Bitcoin ETF holders held strong during the market's downturn and long Bitcoin natives, also known as “OGs,” were responsible for the recent selling pressure. And so he said.

“Recently, at a 35% discount, only 4% of the assets are out; 96% of the assets are hanging tight. In some weeks, they've even been in. But all told, that's great because if you think about it, 35% discount is the same for 2008.

That's a big thing for Hud, and I think they've shown their potential.” Balchunas said. He said the discipline among ETF owners is greater financial literacy and longer-term investment horizons.

Balchunas told Cointelegraph that one of the main things to see in 2026 is the allocation of crypto ETFs by institutional investors, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, registered investment advisors and endowments. “That's where the real money is,” he said.

RELATED: Spot Bitcoin ETFs Record $457M in Income on ‘Early Positioning' Push

Regulatory transparency and policy developments to fuel new ETF products by 2026

The number of new ETF filings driven by US crypto regulations is expected to increase in 2026, Fabian Dori, chief investment officer at Signum Bank, told Cointelegraph.

If US lawmakers approve the Clarity Act, a comprehensive crypto market structure law, it will open the floodgates for new crypto ETFs in 2026, Dory and Matt Hogan, CEO of investment firm Bitwise.

“Based on the possible release of the Clarity Act, we expect new offerings to continue beyond BTC and ETH,” Dorey said.

Balchunas said the number of altcoins with ETFs in the US could double by 2026, opening up the flow of those digital assets from traditional financial markets.

These altcoin ETFs will likely be accompanied by an influx of crypto-linked, income-driven ETFs or other crypto-related investment funds, Balchunas said.

Total assets under management (AUM) in crypto ETFs could double to $400 billion by the end of 2026, according to a forecast shared by Bitfinex analysts with Cointelegraph.

Magazine: 13 Christmas gifts that Bitcoin and crypto enthusiasts will love