B. Riley Forecast: Digital Assets Shift from Speculation to Infrastructure by 2026, Boosting Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH)

Financial services firm B. Riley has released a significant forecast for the digital asset market, predicting a major transition from speculative trading to foundational infrastructure by 2026. Analysts highlight that this evolution will be driven by the maturation of blockchain technology, increased institutional adoption, and the development of real-world utility in areas like decentralized finance (DeFi) and tokenized assets. This shift is expected to reduce market volatility and attract more stable, long-term capital. Key cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) are poised to benefit as core infrastructure components. The report underscores the growing regulatory clarity as a critical catalyst for this transformation, moving the entire sector towards a more integrated role in the global financial system.