Cryptocurrency enters the era of institutionalization as Wall Street financial giants step in to reshape the industry landscape

From technological experiments at the edge to mainstream financial systems, cryptocurrencies are undergoing a silent yet profound transformation. Fidelity Digital Assets’ latest research indicates that this once doubted industry is quietly evolving into a part of structural financial infrastructure. The company’s Vice President of Research, Chris Kuiper, believes 2026 will be a pivotal year for market recognition of this shift.

From Niche Experiment to Institutionalization, Digital Assets Enter a New Era

Chris Kuiper uses a thought-provoking analogy to describe the current industry landscape: cryptocurrencies are experiencing a “container moment.” Just as standardized metal containers revolutionized global trade by transforming ports, logistics, and supply chains, digital assets are reshaping the financial world in a similar way. This is not hype or a concept, but a genuine evolution at the infrastructure level.

Behind the seemingly calm price trends of 2025 lies a deep industry overhaul. Fidelity’s research reveals that the sector has been working behind the scenes—standardizing regulated products, establishing institutional-grade custody solutions, and refining enterprise workflows. These invisible transformations are laying a solid foundation for the large-scale adoption of cryptocurrencies.

Wall Street Fully Bets, Mainstream Financial Institutions Speak Optimistically

The most notable change comes from the traditional finance sector. Last year, major US banks such as JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, and Bank of America announced or expanded their digital asset capabilities. This marks a shift for Wall Street from spectators to participants, from bystanders to builders. As global financial hubs move from questioning “whether to participate” to “how to participate,” the fundamental nature of the industry has undergone a radical transformation.

Chris Kuiper specifically points out that 2025 is a historic year—it’s the first time market participants collectively stopped claiming that Bitcoin is “dead.” This collective mindset shift essentially reflects that cryptocurrencies are gaining increasing recognition and acceptance from institutions and markets.

Regulatory Frameworks Improve, Cryptocurrencies Integrate into Mainstream Finance

The rebuilding of infrastructure depends on advances in regulation. Although regulation is still in exploration, countries are establishing clearer and more predictable cryptocurrency regulatory systems. The improvement of these frameworks directly reduces institutional risks and enhances market transparency and compliance.

Cryptocurrencies are no longer the playground of “tech geeks” but are gradually evolving into regulated, orderly asset classes that can be integrated into traditional finance. The significance of this shift lies not in short-term price fluctuations but in the long-term institutionalization process.

2026 May Mark the Dawn of a New Era

Fidelity’s perspective suggests that 2026 could be the key moment when all these changes surface and are widely recognized by the market. When the cryptocurrency “container moment” fully matures and Wall Street participation becomes the norm rather than news, the industry will truly enter a new stage of development.

The rise of cryptocurrencies is not a dramatic overnight event but a long-term, institutional evolution. And this evolution has already begun and is irreversible.