Ethereum TVL Could 10x by 2026 on Institutional Growth
Ethereum’s value locked on its network could grow by 10 times by 2026, thanks to growing interest from big institutions and new blockchain use cases, according to Joseph Chalom, co-CEO of Sharplink Gaming.
Large financial firms are starting to move more of their operations onto public blockchains. At the same time, money is flowing into tokenized assets — real-world investments represented digitally on the blockchain.
Sharplink Gaming currently holds 797,704 ETH, worth about $2.33 billion, making it the second-largest public holder of Ethereum according to Ethereum Treasuries data.
**Ethereum TVL Could Soar With Stablecoins and Institutional Growth**
Chalom believes Ethereum’s next growth phase won’t come from individual retail investors but from institutional demand, especially through stablecoins and tokenized assets moving on-chain.
He predicts the stablecoin market will grow from today’s $308 billion to around $500 billion by the end of 2025 — a 62% increase. Since more than half of all stablecoin activity takes place on Ethereum, this would likely boost Ethereum’s total value locked (TVL) significantly.
Tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) are another key factor. Chalom expects the RWA market to reach $300 billion by 2026. He says we’re shifting from small-scale tokenized products to entire fund structures being built on the blockchain.
Big names like JPMorgan, Franklin Templeton, and BlackRock have already started testing or launching tokenization products, showing growing interest from traditional finance in blockchain technology.
Currently, Ethereum’s TVL is around $68.2 billion, based on DeFiLlama data. A big jump in TVL would signal stronger institutional use rather than just speculative trading in decentralized finance (DeFi).
TVL is often seen as a sign of how useful and trusted a blockchain is — the more value locked in, the more confidence users and investors tend to have in the network.
**Price Not Matching Growth Yet**
Despite this positive outlook for adoption, Ether’s price hasn’t kept up. It’s down over 12% in the past year and is now trading close to $2,924, according to CoinMarketCap.
Crypto analyst Benjamin Cowen recently noted that Ether may not hit new highs anytime soon. He believes broader market trends driven by Bitcoin cycles are holding it back.
**Sovereign Wealth Funds Could Boost Ethereum Exposure**
Looking ahead, Chalom thinks demand from sovereign wealth funds will be a game changer. He expects these massive investment funds to increase their exposure to Ethereum and tokenization by 5 to 10 times within a year.
According to Chalom, staying out of crypto once seemed safe, but that mindset is changing as competition among major investors heats up.
He also sees a future where AI agents and prediction markets operating directly on the blockchain will become common by 2026, adding even more activity to the Ethereum ecosystem.
**ETHZilla Steps Back From Aggressive Strategy**
Meanwhile, ETHZilla — once known for being one of the biggest corporate holders of Ethereum — has started selling off its ETH holdings. It recently sold about $74.5 million worth of ETH, signaling a move away from its previous crypto-heavy strategy.
Ethereum TVL Could Surge 10x by 2026, Says Sharplink CEO
Ethereum’s total value locked (TVL) could increase by 10 times by 2026, thanks to growing interest from big financial institutions and the rise of new real-world use cases, according to Joseph Chalom, co-CEO of Sharplink Gaming.
This prediction comes as traditional finance players like JPMorgan, Franklin Templeton, and BlackRock ramp up their involvement with blockchain technology. These firms are testing and launching products that use Ethereum for things like asset tokenization, showing that the financial industry is warming up to public blockchains.
Sharplink Gaming currently holds the second-largest Ethereum treasury among public companies, with around 797,704 ETH valued at approximately $2.33 billion.
Chalom believes the next phase of Ethereum’s growth won’t be led by everyday investors chasing quick profits. Instead, he sees more stablecoins, tokenized real-world assets (RWAs), and institutional-grade infrastructure moving to Ethereum. This shift could significantly boost Ethereum’s TVL, a key metric that reflects how much value is locked into the network’s smart contracts.
Stablecoins are a big part of this story. Chalom expects the stablecoin market to hit $500 billion by the end of 2025 — up from about $308 billion today. Since more than half of all stablecoin transactions already happen on Ethereum, this growth could drive a major increase in on-chain activity.
Another area set to grow is tokenized real-world assets. These are traditional investments like bonds or real estate represented on the blockchain. Chalom projects the RWA market could hit $300 billion by 2026. He says we’re moving from simple tokenized products to full-blown fund structures being managed entirely on-chain.
Currently, Ethereum’s TVL is about $68.2 billion, according to DeFiLlama. If Chalom’s predictions come true, that number could surge due to increased institutional adoption rather than just speculative trading in DeFi (decentralized finance).
While Ethereum’s usage is growing, its price hasn’t kept up. ETH is down over 12% in the past year and is now trading near $2,924. Analyst Benjamin Cowen recently said he doesn’t expect ETH to reach new highs soon, mostly due to broader market conditions linked to Bitcoin’s price cycles.
Still, Chalom isn’t focused on short-term price moves. He believes that major investors like sovereign wealth funds will soon ramp up their Ethereum exposure and participation in tokenized markets — possibly increasing their holdings by five to ten times within a year.
He also sees on-chain artificial intelligence (AI) agents and blockchain-based prediction markets becoming popular in 2026. These developments would bring even more real-world activity to Ethereum’s ecosystem.
On the other hand, not everyone is doubling down. ETHZilla, a company once known for aggressively holding large amounts of Ethereum, has started selling off its ETH — unloading about $74.5 million worth — signaling a shift away from crypto-heavy treasury strategies.
In summary, Ethereum could be on the verge of a massive transformation. With growing support from financial giants and the rise of tokenized assets and stablecoins, the network’s real-world utility is expanding — even if its market price isn’t showing it yet.
Pantera Predicts Smarter, Scalable Crypto by 2026
Pantera Capital has shared predictions for the future of the crypto market in 2026, offering a look at how the industry might grow and change. The forecast highlights key areas like crypto lending, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain infrastructure, and digital assets.
One major trend expected is the rise of smarter, more efficient crypto lending platforms. These platforms will mix on-chain and off-chain credit data to offer loans with better risk management. AI will help analyze user behavior to personalize loan options, making advanced lending tools easier to access for everyday users.
Prediction markets are also set to evolve. Financial-focused platforms will become more connected to DeFi (decentralized finance), offering users better leverage and new tools like liquid staking and custom options. Meanwhile, cultural prediction markets—where users bet on things like sports, entertainment, or local events—will become more popular among niche communities and hobbyists.
A big shift is coming in how people make online payments. A system called x402 will allow websites and services to accept fast, small payments similar to how Apple Pay works. This tech will go beyond tipping or micropayments—it could power over half of some websites’ total income. Solana is predicted to outpace Base in handling these low-cost transactions.
AI will become a standard tool in crypto apps. While fully automated trading bots using large language models (LLMs) are still being tested, most users will start relying on AI tools to follow crypto trends, analyze projects, and monitor wallet activity. These features will be built directly into many crypto apps.
Another growing trend is tokenized gold. This lets people invest in gold through digital tokens, which is helpful in countries where owning physical gold is restricted. Tokenized gold also offers a safe alternative for people worried about inflation, global tensions, or the weakening value of the U.S. dollar.
There may also be concerns about quantum computing. If breakthroughs happen, it could make some people nervous about Bitcoin’s long-term security—especially coins created in its early days. However, experts believe quantum tech won’t yet be strong enough to actually threaten crypto systems.
Privacy tools are also getting an upgrade. New frameworks like Ethereum’s Kohaku will make it easier for developers to add privacy features to apps. Businesses might even offer “Privacy-as-a-Service” packages that come with secure wallets and tools for private transactions—especially useful for enterprise users.
Finally, expect fewer tokens overall. The market will likely narrow down to just two or three main tokens per category. This cleanup could happen through mergers, liquidity events, or converting tokens into ETF-style products. The result will be a more mature and streamlined digital asset ecosystem.
These predictions show that by 2026, crypto could become more user-friendly, efficient, and integrated into both finance and everyday life. With smarter lending, better privacy, AI tools, and new payment systems, the next phase of crypto looks much more practical and scalable.
Ethereum Set for Major Growth in Tokenization by 2026
Tokenization in the crypto space is set to grow rapidly. It’s not just about individual stocks, bonds, or funds anymore. Experts believe that entire investment fund systems will soon be tokenized. This means more traditional financial assets will be available as digital tokens on blockchains like Ethereum.
According to recent data, the total value locked (TVL) in the Ethereum network could grow 10 times by 2026. This growth is expected as more industries adopt blockchain technology and institutional investors increase their crypto exposure. Joseph Chalom, co-CEO of Sharplink Gaming, shared this prediction in a recent social media post.
Sharplink Gaming is currently the second-largest public holder of Ethereum, with nearly 798,000 ETH valued at around $2.33 billion. This large holding places them among the top companies investing heavily in Ethereum.
Chalom also pointed to the growing stablecoin market. Right now, it’s worth about $308 billion. By next year, it could rise to $500 billion—a 62% increase. Since Ethereum handles more than half of all stablecoin transactions (about 54%), this surge could significantly boost its ecosystem and TVL.
Another major area of growth is tokenized real-world assets. These are traditional investments like real estate or art represented as digital tokens. Chalom predicts this market will reach $300 billion by 2026.
He also expects a huge jump in the value of tokenized assets under management, predicting a tenfold increase within the next year. Instead of just tokenizing simple assets like stocks or bonds, more complex funds will start using blockchain technology.
This expansion is being driven by increased interest from large financial institutions like JPMorgan, Franklin Templeton, and BlackRock. These firms have been steadily increasing their involvement in blockchain over the past year.
When total value locked in a network rises, it usually shows growing confidence and interest. However, despite Ethereum’s current TVL sitting at $68.2 billion, some analysts remain cautious. For example, analyst Benjamin Cowen has warned that Ethereum may struggle to hit new price highs next year, especially with Bitcoin facing challenges of its own.
Right now, Ethereum (ETH) is trading at about $2,924, down around 3% over the last month according to CoinMarketCap.
Chalom believes that sovereign wealth funds—government-run investment funds—will start holding and using Ethereum much more over the next year. He expects their activity in ETH and tokenization to grow five to ten times.
He also predicts that on-chain AI agents and blockchain-based prediction markets will become mainstream soon. These technologies could add major value and drive more activity on Ethereum.
Meanwhile, Ethereum developers are focusing on future upgrades to improve network performance. The upcoming 2026 “Glamsterdam” upgrade is one of the most anticipated changes after the recent “Fusaka” upgrade raised block gas limits to 60 million.
Glamsterdam will introduce key improvements like Proposer-Builder Separation, which helps make the network more secure by spreading out control among validators. Another upgrade feature is block-level access lists, which reduce transaction costs and allow faster processing by handling multiple actions at once.
These upgrades aim to scale Ethereum’s Layer 1 network without sacrificing decentralization. Some community members believe gas limits could rise to 200 million in the near future, greatly boosting network capacity.
Following Glamsterdam will be the Hegota fork, which will introduce Verkle Trees—an advanced solution designed to reduce Ethereum’s growing data storage problem by shrinking how much data validators need to store.
Overall, Ethereum is on track for massive growth in value locked, tokenization of real-world assets, stablecoin activity, and network scalability—all driven by increasing interest from big players in traditional finance and technology.
Crypto Regulation, ETFs, and Market Trends Update
**David Sacks Praises New Crypto Regulation Team as “Dream Team”**
David Sacks, who advises the White House on AI and crypto policy, believes the U.S. is ready to roll out clear rules for digital assets. His comments came after Michael Selig was confirmed as the new head of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Sacks called Selig and Paul Atkins, chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), a “dream team” for crypto regulation.
Selig also shared optimism, saying the U.S. Congress is close to finalizing a bill that would create a strong framework for crypto markets. He believes this could make the U.S. the global leader in digital assets. “Retail interest in commodity markets is booming,” Selig posted on X. “Congress is preparing to send legislation on digital assets that could define the U.S. as the Crypto Capital of the World.”
**Coinbase CEO Warns Against Reopening the GENIUS Act**
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong is pushing back hard against attempts to change the GENIUS Act. This law, passed after long debates, allows stablecoin rewards through third parties but blocks issuers from offering direct interest payments.
Armstrong accused banks of trying to block innovation in stablecoins by lobbying lawmakers. He said if banks succeed in changing the law, it would cross a “red line.” In a post on X, he predicted banks will eventually want to offer interest on stablecoins themselves, once they realize how profitable it could be. “It’s wasted effort—and unethical,” Armstrong added.
**Bitcoin’s Real All-Time High? Not Quite $100K**
Bitcoin may have hit an all-time high above $126,000 in October—but not when you factor in inflation. According to Alex Thorn, head of research at Galaxy, Bitcoin’s real peak, adjusted for inflation using 2020 dollars, was actually around $99,848.
Thorn explained that when you adjust for inflation using the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which tracks changes in costs over time, Bitcoin still hasn’t truly hit six figures in today’s money.
**Crypto ETFs See Major Outflows as Institutions Step Back**
Institutional investors seem to be pulling away from crypto. According to analytics firm Glassnode, Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have experienced steady outflows since early November.
The 30-day moving average for net flows into these U.S. spot ETFs has turned negative. Glassnode says this shows a broader decline in institutional participation and signals less liquidity in the market. ETFs are often used to track big investor sentiment—so this trend points toward cautious or bearish views among major players.
**Brazil Project Turns Bitcoin Prices Into Live Music**
A new project in Brazil plans to turn Bitcoin price data into live orchestral music. The initiative was approved under a national tax-incentive program for cultural projects and can now raise up to 1.09 million reais ($197,000).
The concert will take place in Brasília and aims to blend art, math, economics, and music. While it’s not clear whether blockchain tech will be part of the show, it will be based on real-time financial data from Bitcoin markets.
**Crypto Voices on Market Trends**
– Phong Le, CEO of Strategy: “Bitcoin’s fundamentals this year couldn’t be better.”
– John Williams, New York Fed President: “We want inflation at 2% without hurting jobs.”
– Benjamin Cowen, crypto analyst: “If Bitcoin is in a bear market, Ethereum won’t rise easily.”
– Anthony Pompliano: “Bitcoin volatility is low—it would be surprising to see a huge drop.”
– Vitalik Buterin: “AI like Grok often surprises users with unexpected answers.”
**Bitcoin Lagging Behind Stocks and Gold**
Some analysts are noticing a shift: While stocks and gold are rising due to expected lower interest rates, Bitcoin isn’t following the same trend. Analyst Benjamin Cowen says Bitcoin responds more directly to actual liquidity changes in the economy—not just good news or hope.
This could explain why Bitcoin is lagging behind other markets even as investors grow more bullish elsewhere. Cowen also pointed out that current market sentiment feels less hyped than in previous cycles—there’s more caution than excitement right now.
**Memecoins Hit Yearly Lows After Losing 65%**
The memecoin market has taken a big hit. After peaking at around $100 billion last Christmas, their total value dropped to $35 billion by December 19—a 65% decline. Trading volume also dropped 72% over the year to $3.05 trillion.
Memecoins like Dogecoin and others thrived during speculative booms, but retail investors now seem less interested in risky assets. Some gains returned on Friday as the market cap rose slightly to $36 billion, but volumes remain low.
**JPMorgan Freezes Accounts Tied to Sanctioned Regions**
JPMorgan Chase froze accounts connected to two stablecoin startups—BlindPay and Kontigo—after discovering activity linked to countries under U.S. sanctions like Venezuela. Both startups were backed by Y Combinator and used JPMorgan services through Checkbook, a digital payments partner.
The bank reportedly acted after identifying exposure to high-risk jurisdictions, raising concerns about compliance and regulation in stablecoin operations.
**Aave CEO Denies Buying Tokens to Influence Vote**
Stani Kulechov, founder of Aave Labs, addressed rumors that he bought $15 million worth of Aave tokens to sway a recent community vote. He denied using those tokens for voting and said his purchase reflected his long-term faith in the project.
Kulechov also admitted that Aave Labs needs to better explain how its products benefit token holders. “We’ll be more clear in the future about how our work adds value to the Aave ecosystem,” he said.