Barclays, the multinational investment bank and financial services company, predicts that the year 2026 will be challenging for the cryptocurrency market, characterizing it as a 'down-year.' This outlook is contingent on the absence of significant catalysts or driving factors that could otherwise stimulate growth and investment in the sector. According to their analysis, without substantial developments, innovations, or shifts in market dynamics, the value and trading activity within the cryptocurrency space may experience a decline during that year.
source: https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/12/12/barclays-sees-down-year-for-crypto-in-2026-without-big-catalysts