Bitcoin and real-world asset (RWA) tokenization are emerging as core growth drivers for 2026. Ignas forecasts a massive expansion in the RWA market, while Plume CEO Chris Yin expects user counts and value to grow 10x to 20x. Jesse Knutson, COO at Bitfinex Securities, also projects the tokenization market reaching at least $100 billion by the end of 2026. In October and November, forecast platform volumes began to surpass meme coins and NFTs, signaling a broader move toward financializing a wider range of assets.
Coinbase identifies physical asset-backed perpetual futures as a major investment theme for 2026, arguing that exposure to underlying assets can be formed without directly owning them. The altcoin sector, by contrast, looks likely to face pressure from high token supply and weaker retail participation. DeFi tokens such as Aave raise governance concerns, while opinions diverge on Ethereum, with some seeing benefits from broader tokenization of assets and others viewing it as mainly an infrastructure layer.
Investors are tightening scrutiny of token economics, with tokens launched at high fully diluted valuations facing tougher sell-side realities. Memento Research notes that no project valued above $1 billion currently shows positive returns, underscoring a shift toward real value and scalable economics as the market matures.
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