Bitcoin and Digital Asset Treasuries (DATs) are gearing up for an extraordinary 2026, with industry experts predicting a new era of growth and opportunity. As we delve into these developments, it’s clear that the cryptocurrency landscape is set for significant transformation.
Bitcoin’s Promising Trajectory
At the recent Cointelegraph’s LONGITUDE event during Token2049 in Singapore, the future of Bitcoin was a hot topic. With all-time highs anticipated, the spotlight was on how institutional inflows could shape 2026. Notably, Arthur Hayes, Maelstrom’s chief investment officer, boldly predicted Bitcoin reaching $3.2 million.
Hayes attributes this potential surge to continued monetary expansion by the US Treasury. He emphasized that while Bitcoin will benefit, the real winners in the upcoming altseason will be projects focusing on fundamental profitability, akin to a Hyperliquid-style model. This approach involves projects reinvesting profits into buying back tokens or managing emissions.
The Rise of Digital Asset Treasuries
DATs are also expected to play a pivotal role in 2026. Hayes suggests that the market will be dominated by a few key players, offering a new avenue for investors to gain crypto exposure. These treasuries, particularly those tied to major names like Strategy or Bitmine, will likely capture a large share of the capital.
During LONGITUDE, a lively debate unfolded regarding the merits of different DAT strategies. Joseph Chalom, CEO of SharpLink Gaming, advocated for Ethereum, highlighting its potential to revolutionize finance on a civilization level. Conversely, Andrew Webley, CEO of The Smarter Web Company, maintained a staunch belief in Bitcoin as the ultimate treasury asset due to its fixed supply and decentralized nature.
Metaverse and Infrastructure Visions
Ethereum co-founder Joseph Lubin and author Neal Stephenson explored the philosophical aspects of decentralized systems and cryptography. Stephenson’s visionary novels, such as “Snow Crash,” have long inspired the crypto community, and Lubin shared how these works influenced his own journey.
Lubin also discussed ongoing projects, including SWIFT’s utilization of Consensys-based Ethereum tools to upgrade its infrastructure to blockchain technology. This move underscores the growing synergy between traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi).
Infrastructure Evolution
The event concluded with a panel focusing on the convergence of TradFi and DeFi infrastructure. Stani Kulechov highlighted Aave’s rapid growth, with net deposits exceeding $70 billion, a testament to DeFi’s expanding influence. Kiril Eves, founder of Unlimit, emphasized the necessity for fintechs to integrate crypto services, predicting a future dominated by stablecoins.
Privacy remains a key consideration, as Marcos Viriato, CEO of Rayls, pointed out the importance of secure, user-friendly blockchain solutions for banks and financial institutions. This evolution in infrastructure is crucial for mainstream adoption, allowing clients to benefit from tokenization seamlessly.
As the crypto world awaits Cointelegraph’s next LONGITUDE event in Abu Dhabi, the insights from Singapore have set the stage for an exciting year ahead.
