Digital Assets 2026: Why the market is evolving – and operating differently

The biggest shift is evident in investment horizons: 87 percent of investors today focus on long-term wealth accumulation, while short-term trading is becoming significantly less important. This is also reflected in their actual behavior. Experienced investors trade less frequently but invest larger amounts. In addition, short-term market movements rarely lead to spontaneous adjustments in their portfolios. At the same time, the proportion of long-term-oriented investors is growing across all portfolio sizes.

At the same time, expectations for the market remain high but are shifting toward a more realistic outlook. For example, around 93 percent expect the price of Bitcoin to exceed 250,000 euros by 2030, while extreme forecasts are becoming less common overall. Overall, the market is thus clearly shifting away from speculative behavior toward more stable and predictable investment decisions.

Despite high levels of attention, the shift toward digital assets is progressing more slowly. In this context, the study refers to a “double slowdown”: On the one hand, interest is waning among new target groups; on the other hand, initial investments are being delayed, even though there is a general openness toward the asset class.

The reasons for this are clearly identified. Security concerns and a lack of trust play just as much a role as a perceived lack of information. At the same time, there is a growing desire for a clear regulatory framework that provides guidance and reliability. The key hurdle today therefore lies less in technological access and more in trust, clarity, and sufficient guidance.

Today, platforms are chosen differently than they were just a few years ago. The key factor is no longer the largest possible number of tradable assets, but rather a reliable regulatory framework.

The most important criteria:

• Security
• Transparent fees and easy deposits and withdrawals
• Clear regulation

At the same time, many are willing to accept higher costs if they ensure security. Meanwhile, demand for new offerings is growing: 55 percent would like to see traditional financial products available directly on crypto platforms, such as loans backed by digital assets.

Our study helps you make sense of the market beyond the headlines and shows how investors actually behave. It provides a realistic picture of current portfolio structures and investment patterns, explains why investment activity is slowing noticeably, and identifies where concrete potential lies. At the same time, it highlights which offerings and services will be relevant to investors in the future. You’ll gain a foundation for making informed decisions regarding digital assets—whether you’re investing yourself or developing investment offerings.