Brazilian exchange Mercado Bitcoin outlines 6 crypto trends shaping markets in 2026

Core Insights - Mercado Bitcoin (MB) identifies six major trends expected to shape the cryptocurrency market by 2026, including the expansion of stablecoins, tokenization, altcoin ETFs, and AI-driven trading Group 1: Bitcoin's Market Position - MB estimates that Bitcoin could reach 14% of gold's market capitalization by the end of 2026, up from the current ratio of 5.65%, implying that Bitcoin's price could more than double [2] - The report highlights Bitcoin's increasing role as a store of value, particularly in comparison to gold, which has logistical challenges [3] - Institutional treasuries have accumulated over 1.09 million Bitcoin, indicating that Bitcoin is becoming a mainstream asset rather than a niche investment [3] Group 2: Bitcoin Valuation Framework - The "Bitcoin Valuation Framework" utilizes a Total Addressable Market (TAM) approach to estimate Bitcoin's theoretical value, starting with the global store-of-value market and using gold as a benchmark [5] - The framework projects Bitcoin capturing 14% of gold's market capitalization under various adoption scenarios [5] Group 3: Stablecoin Growth - MB anticipates the stablecoin market will grow to a market capitalization of $500 billion by 2026, driven in part by stablecoins not tied to the U.S. dollar [6] - Stablecoins have evolved from trading tools to payment instruments, playing a crucial role in providing liquidity and facilitating secure resource movement without exposure to volatility [7] - In 2025, the total market capitalization of stablecoins grew nearly 50% year over year, attributed to broader adoption and regulatory clarity, especially in the U.S. [8]