According to analysts, crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are set to blow up in 2026, with over 100 latest ETF applications expected and billions of dollars in net inflows flowing into the investment vehicles.
Bloomberg senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas forecasts a base case scenario of $15 billion in flows in 2026 and as much as $40 billion if market conditions improve.
The Federal Reserve will “likely” cut rates of interest in 2026, pushing net inflows toward the center or upper certain of the estimate, Balchunas told Cointelegraph.
Weekly inflows into crypto ETFs in 2025. Source: CoinShares
ETF investors have also develop into a structural price support for Bitcoin (BTC), he said, adding that Bitcoin ETF holders remained strong through the market decline and that long-term Bitcoin natives, also referred to as “OGs,” were accountable for the recent selling pressure. He said:
“Only 4% of assets were withdrawn on this recent 35% drop; 96% of assets held firm. Some weeks there have been even inflows. But all in all, that's pretty good because if you happen to give it some thought, a 35% drop for stocks is such as 2008.”
That's so much to absorb, and I feel they've really proven their mettle,” Balchunas said. He attributed the discipline amongst ETF holders to higher levels of economic literacy and long-term investment horizons.
The Bitcoin US ETF's cost basis, the worth US BTC investors paid to buy the ETFs, continues to offer a structural support level for its price. Source: Andre Dragosch
Balchunas told Cointelegraph that probably the most essential things to observe in 2026 is the increased allocation to crypto ETFs by institutional investors, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, registered investment advisors and foundations. “That’s where all the true money is,” he said.
Regulatory clarity and policy developments to drive latest ETF products in 2026
Fabian Dori, chief investment officer at Sygnum Bank, told Cointelegraph that the number of latest ETF applications is anticipated to surge in 2026 as a result of US crypto regulations.
If U.S. lawmakers pass the CLARITY Act, a comprehensive bill to structure the crypto market, it is going to open the floodgates to latest crypto ETFs in 2026, in accordance with Dori and Matt Hougan, chief investment officer at investment firm Bitwise.
A listing of 92 crypto ETF applications filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Source: James Seyffart
“Based on the potential passage of the Clarity Act, we expect latest sign-ups to proceed to expand beyond BTC and ETH,” Dori said, adding that “stake yields are attracting very solid demand and rules-based index or basket products could emerge as a brand new frontier.”
Balchunas said the variety of altcoins with ETFs within the US could double in 2026, opening up these digital assets to inflows from traditional financial markets.
These altcoin ETFs will likely be accompanied by an influx of crypto-related income-generating ETFs or other kinds of crypto-related mutual funds, Balchunas said.
According to a forecast shared by Bitfinex analysts with Cointelegraph, total assets under management (AUM) in crypto ETFs could double to $400 billion by the top of 2026.
