Coinbase Research Head Forecasts Compounding Crypto Growth in 2026
According to a Coinbase executive, 2026 is set to be a year of compounded growth for cryptocurrency adoption. David Duong believes the reinforcing cycles of ETF inflows, stablecoin utility, and asset tokenization will be central to this acceleration.
Duong’s analysis, shared in a year-end perspective, frames 2025 as a foundational year. Breakthroughs included the successful launch of regulated spot ETFs, increased corporate adoption of crypto on balance sheets, and the embedding of stablecoins and tokenized real-world assets into financial infrastructure.
These foundational elements are now likely to strengthen, Duong argues. He specifically forecasts shorter ETF approval windows, an increased role for stablecoins in institutional payment rails, and broader use of tokenized assets as collateral in traditional markets.
The journey toward mainstream crypto adoption has been steady, if slower than originally envisioned. Data reveals that global adoption rates have remained relatively flat, fluctuating only slightly between early 2023 and early 2025.
This steadiness, in Duong’s view, signals market maturation. The essential catalyst for moving from this stable phase to a growth phase, he notes, is the regulatory progress made in 2025, which has provided institutions with the clarity needed to confidently engage.
