Bitwise says Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana eye new highs as ETF demand soars by 2026

Bitwise forecasts new highs for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana as ETFs absorb more than new supply, stablecoins surge, and tokenization reshapes institutional portfolios by 2026.​

Asset manager and exchange-traded fund issuer Bitwise released a 2026 outlook for the cryptocurrency market, projecting new all-time highs for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, according to the firm’s latest report.

Bitwise grows

The report states that Bitcoin (BTC) is expected to break from its traditional four-year price cycle. Bitwise cited several factors supporting this projection, including reduced impact from Bitcoin Halving dynamics, interest rate fluctuations, and leverage-driven market cycles in coming years.

The entry of major financial institutions including Citi, Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo, and Merrill Lynch into the cryptocurrency sector is expected to accelerate institutional allocations toward spot ETFs and enhance on-chain developments by 2026, according to the report. Bitwise projects Bitcoin will become less volatile, noting the cryptocurrency demonstrated lower volatility than some major technology stocks throughout 2025.

The firm expressed positive projections for Ethereum and Solana, particularly contingent upon passage of the CLARITY Act. Bitwise identified stablecoin growth and tokenization as significant trends, with Ethereum and Solana positioned as primary beneficiaries.

Institutional demand is forecast to increase substantially, with ETFs expected to acquire more than 100% of new supply for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, according to the report. Bitwise estimates that by 2026, most institutional investors will have access to cryptocurrency ETFs. The firm projects approximately 166,000 Bitcoin, 960,000 Ethereum, and 23 million Solana coins entering the market, with ETF purchases anticipated to exceed these figures.

The report projects cryptocurrency equities will outperform traditional technology stocks. The Bitwise Crypto Innovators Index, which tracks companies providing infrastructure and services for crypto assets, has recorded stronger gains than technology shares over the past three years, according to the firm. Bitwise attributes this momentum to potential revenue growth, mergers and acquisitions, and favorable regulatory conditions.

As stablecoins expand, Bitwise warned they may be blamed for destabilizing emerging market currencies. The market for stablecoins, including tokenized versions of the US dollar, is expected to grow substantially by the end of 2026, according to the report. The firm anticipates one or two countries may attribute financial troubles to stablecoins.

Bitwise forecasts the launch of over 100 crypto-linked ETFs in the United States, following anticipated SEC issuance of new listing standards enabling these funds to enter the market under a unified regulatory framework. The firm refers to this development as “ETF-palooza” in 2026.

The report also predicts half of Ivy League endowments will invest in cryptocurrencies, and that on-chain vault assets under management will double in coming years.