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73% of institutional investors plan to increase their cryptocurrency assets in 2026.
Institutional investors are accelerating the expansion of their cryptocurrency positions while simultaneously tightening risk control measures, indicating a shift toward regulated access, more rigorous management, and growth driven by infrastructure development, which could change the nature of capital inflows into digital asset markets.
Growing participation by institutional investors in digital assets is increasingly determined by risk control measures and regulated access. On March 18, Coinbase published survey results conducted in January 2026 among 351 institutional investors worldwide, noting changes in asset allocation strategies and infrastructure priorities. The results point to plans for sustainable expansion alongside stricter standards for managing cryptocurrency portfolios.
Notably, nearly three-quarters of respondents intend to increase their allocation to digital assets in 2026, while expectations regarding market dynamics remain high.
Approximately 65% of investors planning to increase their exposure cited clearer regulations as the primary catalyst, however 66% simultaneously pointed to regulatory uncertainty as the main concern. Market structure ranked first among areas requiring clarification, noted by 78% of participants, while tokenized assets face similar constraints related to unclear rules.
The positioning of institutional investors reflects a broader structural shift in how digital assets are integrated into portfolios. Coinbase and EY Parthenon described the transition from speculative factors to disciplined execution, where regulated access and operational control define participation. This phase corresponds to a new cycle of capital inflows supported by institutional-grade infrastructure, rather than the previous dependence on momentum driven by retail investors.