Brazilian crypto exchange Mercado Bitcoin has recently published a forward-looking report that outlines six central projections for the cryptocurrency markets. Notably, it anticipates that 2026 will be a pivotal year for the industry, with significant expansions in stablecoins, altcoins, and the market capitalization of Bitcoin.
Mercado Bitcoin Projects Significant Growth in the Crypto Industry in 2026
São Paulo-based Mercado Bitcoin, one of Latin America’s leading cryptocurrency exchange platforms, has shared insights into potential growth trends within the crypto ecosystem. The report highlights six crucial trends expected to have a significant impact on the cryptocurrency market in the coming years.
According to the report, major developments are anticipated across several sectors, including stablecoins, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), altcoins, AI-driven trading strategies, and tokenization. It projects a remarkable increase in Bitcoin’s market capitalization, predicting that it will more than double by the end of 2026 to capture 14% of gold’s total market capitalization.
This prediction stems from a valuation methodology developed in collaboration with researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The report’s authors utilized a Total Addressable Market (TAM) approach in their valuation model, which serves as a basis for estimating Bitcoin’s theoretical value, positioning gold as the primary benchmark rather than traditional cash flow models.
Bitcoin is increasingly viewed as a store of value akin to gold, yet the report emphasizes its advantages over the precious metal. Unlike gold, which is burdened by logistical challenges and storage concerns, Bitcoin is borderless and self-custodial. According to the report, institutional interest in Bitcoin as a superior store of value has intensified, with U.S. Bitcoin ETFs amassing net assets under management totaling about $116.86 billion, or approximately 6.48% of Bitcoin’s overall market cap.
Furthermore, the report forecasts substantial growth for the stablecoin sector, predicting its market capitalization could reach $500 billion by year-end. Currently, stablecoins hold a combined market capitalization of approximately $311.674 billion, according to data from CoinGecko.
Mercado Bitcoin underscores the essential function of stablecoins as a liquidity source within the crypto sector, evolving into payment instruments across various countries and industries. The report references the remarkable growth of stablecoins in 2025, which saw a near 50% increase compared to the previous year. Regulatory developments, like the introduction of the GENIUS Act in the U.S., have provided the necessary clarity for stablecoin issuance and utilization.
XRP and Solana ETFs Will Account for 80% of Inflows in Altcoin ETFs
The exchange anticipates that altcoin ETFs will significantly stand out in 2026, particularly those tied to XRP, Chainlink, and Solana. These altcoins have been attracting considerable institutional capital since their introduction.
Data from SosoValue indicates that XRP ETFs have gathered $1.47 billion in net assets under management, representing about 1.16% of XRP’s total market cap. The inflow trends illustrate that these funds have experienced consistent growth since November 14, with only a brief period of negative inflows in early January.
Similarly, Solana ETFs have surpassed the $1 billion mark in net assets under management and now hold approximately 1.43% of SOL’s total market cap. The report projects that altcoin ETFs could grow to reach $10 billion by year’s end, with Solana and XRP expected to account for a staggering 80% of overall inflows.
The report also identifies the tokenization of real-world assets as a rapidly growing sector, projecting that its market size may exceed $54 billion with a growth rate of 200%. Institutional interest is amplifying in this field, evident from the launches of tokenized funds by major firms like BlackRock and Franklin Templeton.
In addition, the report anticipates that the prediction market will see an extraordinary expansion, growing over 25 times its current size, with platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket leading the pack. They expect an influx of capital into these markets could reach $20 billion by the end of this year. Furthermore, the rise of blockchain-powered AI agents is predicted to play a significant role in developing the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem.
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