Nina Bambysheva, Forbes' Money Markets Editor and Analyst, analyzed five major trends in crypto investment in 2026, including: 1. Increased institutionalization: Global crypto ETFs and ETPs have exceeded $200 billion in assets, and Bitcoin ETFs are gradually being incorporated into mainstream portfolios such as 401(k)s. 2. Accelerated asset tokenization: The US SEC has approved the DTCC to provide tokenization services, and formal legislation is expected to begin in the second half of 2026. 3. Development of stablecoin infrastructure: The market size has exceeded $300 billion, and the GENIUS Act has attracted fintech companies such as Stripe and Klarna to enter the market. 4. Diversification of on-chain markets: Everything can be traded; platforms such as Hyperliquid are driving perpetual contract trading volume to nearly $3 trillion by 2025, with trading instruments expanding to include oil and interest rates. 5. The combination of AI and cryptocurrency will enable the "machine economy" between AI agents to achieve low-cost micro-payments through blockchain, with networks such as Base and Solana leading the way in this field.