BlackRock places cryptocurrencies and tokenization as themes that will drive markets in 2026

Source: PortaldoBitcoin Original Title: BlackRock Places Cryptocurrencies and Tokenization as Themes That Will Drive Markets in 2026 Original Link: BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, has highlighted cryptocurrencies and tokenized assets as one of the major themes in its Thematic Outlook 2026, a report analyzing the major forces expected to drive markets in 2026. The document emphasizes artificial intelligence, energy, and infrastructure, but also underscores the presence of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins as digital assets that are increasingly seen as part of structural transformations.

In the report, BlackRock states that “themes continue to drive markets in unprecedented ways,” explicitly citing the convergence of technology, geopolitics, and new forms of investment access.

In this context, blockchain appears as a tool capable of modernizing financial infrastructure and expanding access to different asset classes, including through public, private, and tokenized exposures.

One of the highlights of the document is the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), the asset manager’s spot Bitcoin ETF, identified as the fastest-growing exchange-traded product in history. According to BlackRock, the fund surpassed US$70 billion in assets in just under a year of trading, signaling persistent institutional investor interest in gaining exposure to Bitcoin within broader thematic strategies.

Beyond Bitcoin, the report draws attention to the advancement of tokenization, defined as the digital representation of real-world assets on blockchain networks. Stablecoins are cited as the clearest example of this movement, enabling traditional assets to be transferred natively on digital infrastructure.

“In our view, as tokenization continues to grow, so will the opportunity to access assets beyond cash and U.S. Treasury bonds via blockchain,” the report states.

In this process, the asset manager highlights Ethereum as one of the main potential beneficiaries. Data presented in the report indicate that over 65% of existing tokenized assets are on the Ethereum network, reinforcing the role of blockchain as a kind of “toll road” for global tokenization. The document also notes that the volume of stablecoin transactions already exceeds traditional crypto trading, suggesting a more functional use of the technology.

The language adopted by BlackRock indicates that the asset manager sees digital assets as part of a larger set of “mega forces” reshaping the global economy. Alongside AI, geopolitical fragmentation, and large infrastructure investments, cryptocurrencies and tokenization appear as elements that could influence how portfolios are built and managed in the coming years.