In 2025, the crypto world expected a big win with Donald Trump back in the spotlight. Many thought his return would boost digital assets like Bitcoin and memecoins. But according to Animoca Brands’ co-founder Yat Siu, those hopes didn’t pan out. Instead of helping crypto, Trump’s focus on tariffs, trade wars, and interest rates hurt the market. Bitcoin ended the year weak, and many memecoins crashed.

Siu says the industry overestimated Trump’s support for crypto, treating it like a top priority when it clearly wasn’t. He gave the year a “B-/C+” grade, warning that Trump’s economic decisions weren’t made with crypto in mind. For example, starting a tariff war is bad news for risky assets like Bitcoin.

Now, Siu believes the focus in 2026 will shift. Instead of riding political waves or chasing hype-driven tokens, crypto companies need to build real products with clear use cases. He sees this as the beginning of a more mature phase for crypto — one where compliance and utility matter more than memes and speculation.

Animoca Brands is planning a major move in 2026: going public through a reverse merger with Currenc Group, a Nasdaq-listed fintech company. This deal would give Animoca 95% ownership of the merged business. Siu sees this as a way to give regular investors access to altcoins — not just Bitcoin or Ethereum.

Right now, investors can buy MicroStrategy stock for Bitcoin exposure. But there’s no equivalent for the broader altcoin market. Animoca wants to be that bridge — a public company that acts like a gateway to hundreds of Web3 and crypto projects.

Animoca already has a massive portfolio, with investments in over 620 companies and around 100 new projects added in the past year. The company earned $314 million in 2024 and has been profitable for four years straight. Siu’s long-term goal is to fully tokenize Animoca, connecting traditional investors to blockchain-based ownership.

He believes that upcoming U.S. laws like the Clarity Act and GENIUS Act will give crypto companies the legal structure they need to grow. With clear rules, big companies will feel safer entering the space. Just like we saw an explosion of stablecoins once regulations were clearer, we could see a boom in utility tokens once these new laws take effect.

These tokens will likely be tied to real-world assets (RWAs) and traditional businesses. Animoca is already working on this shift, including a partnership with Chinese asset manager Grow to explore tokenizing investments for traditional clients.

Siu sees 2026 as the year when crypto finally becomes practical for everyday users — not just traders. Memecoins had their moment, but many retail investors were left with heavy losses after coins like Official Trump (TRUMP) and Melania Meme (MELANIA) dropped more than 75-90%. That speculative wave is fading.

Now, Siu says it’s time for crypto companies to grow up. The next trend will focus on tokens that offer real value — helping gamers, content creators, and brands solve actual problems. With clearer laws and better products, more people will join the crypto space without even realizing it.

“Tokenize or die,” Siu says. In 2026, launching useful tokens won’t be just an option — it will be a necessity for survival and growth in the next chapter of Web3.