Investment Map After Bitcoin: The Next Major Player That Institutions Will Bet on in 2026

In early 2026, the cryptocurrency market stands at a pivotal crossroads. What emerging investments will follow Bitcoin? The answer is encapsulated in recent outlook reports published by the industry’s seven major institutions. The visions for 2026 outlined by a16z, Galaxy, Bitwise, Messari, Grayscale, Delphi Digital, and VanEck suggest more than mere price forecasts—they imply a fundamental transformation of market structure itself, clearly marking a historic shift from individual investor cycles to an era dominated by institutional capital.

The Dawn of the Institutional Era: A Major Shift in Capital Structure

As of early 2026, over $12 billion has already flowed into U.S. spot crypto ETFs. This is not just a number; it symbolizes the full-scale entry of Wall Street. Data from platforms like Coinbase and Robinhood reveal that retail investors are not retreating from the market, and this rare “dual-drive” structure provides a sustainable foundation for the next cycle.

The core of the investment landscape beyond Bitcoin hinges on the inflow mechanisms of institutional capital. Observing the period from late 2025 to early 2026, macroeconomic improvements, clearer regulatory frameworks, and most importantly, a shift from a “four-year cycle” to “long-term capital allocation” are fundamentally changing the market’s nature.

Common Signals Identified by the Seven Major Institutions

Cross-analysis of multiple institutional reports reveals the following consensus:

Macroeconomic Reversal: Nearly all reports see 2026 as a turning point from “headwinds to tailwinds.” With expected rate cuts by the U.S. Federal Reserve, assets like Bitcoin will see renewed demand as “alternative value stores.”

Expansion of Stablecoins and RWA: As a nexus of finance and on-chain activity, trading volume of stablecoins may surpass that of the U.S. ACH system. Additionally, traditional capital is beginning to enter the on-chain world through RWA (Real-World Asset tokenization).

Rapid Growth of Prediction Markets: Prediction platforms like Polymarket are consistently exceeding weekly trading volumes of $150 million, establishing themselves as a new investment frontier.

Full-Scale Integration of AI and Blockchain: The era of “Agent Finance,” where AI agents execute automated trading and settlement via protocols like x402, is arriving. This could become the industry’s most significant investment theme after Bitcoin.

In-Depth Analysis and Investment Directions from Each Institution

a16z’s Perspective: Next-generation crypto products will focus less on “price” and more on “implementation.” Practical use cases such as “Know Your Agent (KYA)”—the authentication infrastructure for AI agents—and “Stake Media,” which allocates funds to opinions, will become key investment focuses.

Galaxy’s Strategy: The Solana ecosystem is expected to shift from “meme-driven” to “real business revenue,” with accelerated institutional adoption of stablecoins. They emphasize that on-chain intelligent economies are moving from concept to execution.

Bitwise’s Bullish Outlook: They predict Bitcoin will hit new all-time highs again, citing continued ETF inflows, macro interest rate declines, and the effects of the 2024 halving. They also highlight the potential for crypto-native AI projects to form independent markets.

Messari’s Turning Point Thesis: 2026 is positioned as the “transition year from speculation to system integration,” with privacy assets and application-level currencies rising, signaling a new phase for the industry.

Grayscale’s “Institutional Era” Vision: Both macro trends and regulation will drive the market toward an era where staking yields become the default investment choice. They also note a shift in DeFi from high-FDV, no-income projects to protocols with sustainable revenue models.

Delphi Digital’s New Frontiers: They identify “social trading” and “Agent Finance” as major incremental entry points in 2026. AI will handle complex on-chain strategies automatically, enabling individual investors to participate in advanced financial activities.

VanEck’s Cautious View: With volatility halved compared to past cycles, they predict 2026 will be a “year of turbulence.” However, they remain optimistic about the penetration of stablecoins into B2B payments.

Progress as of Early 2026: Are Predictions Coming True?

As of February 2026, some predictions are already materializing. ETF inflows are accelerating, and prediction markets like Polymarket are growing faster than expected. AI agent implementations are still in early stages, but several projects are beginning to adopt the “Know Your Agent” paradigm.

Regulatory clarity is also advancing, especially in RWA-related frameworks. Traditional financial institutions are entering the on-chain space as anticipated, with mainstream credit card networks testing stablecoin settlement.

Three Key Themes Investors Should Watch

First, the maturation of on-chain finance driven by the expansion of stablecoins and RWAs: Moving away from speculative assets toward on-chain financial products that serve real-world functions. Staking yields and collateralized tokens will form new investment foundations.

Second, infrastructure supporting AI agents: Payment protocols (like x402), identity verification mechanisms, and on-chain safes (ETF 2.0) that connect AI and crypto will be at the forefront of investment.

Third, prediction markets and societal applications: From political forecasts to corporate earnings, prediction markets will evolve into broader price discovery mechanisms, creating new investment opportunities.

Conclusion: Structural Shifts Create Opportunities

The next wave of investments following Bitcoin will not be a single asset but a reorganization of capital structure itself. From retail investor sentiment cycles to long-term institutional allocations, from volatile price swings to stable, mature assets—practical infrastructure like stablecoins, RWAs, AI agents, and prediction markets will become the new mainstays.

2026 may mark the end of volatile cycles of the past and become the starting point where industry intrinsic value processes truly accelerate. Those investors who understand this transformation will be best positioned to seize the post-Bitcoin era.