74% of institutions expect crypto prices to rise in 12 months: Survey
18 Mar 2026 · 14:00 UTC · Cointelegraph RSS Feed · Original source
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Summary
A Coinbase-EY study reveals that 74% of institutional investors expect cryptocurrency prices to appreciate over the next 12 months. The research shows that institutions plan to increase their crypto allocations in 2026, with a strong preference for regulated products. The survey identifies growing institutional interest in stablecoins and tokenization as key infrastructure developments. Findings indicate that institutional adoption is accelerating as money managers increasingly view cryptocurrency as an important diversification tool and growth component for portfolio management.
Why it matters
Institutional investor sentiment serves as a leading indicator of significant capital flows. The 74% positive expectation indicates active portfolio repositioning toward crypto as an asset class, creating structural price support. Bitcoin captures most institutional allocation initially due to regulatory clarity and institutional-grade custody infrastructure. The emphasis on regulated products suggests institutions are solving compliance challenges, reducing previous barriers to entry. Stablecoins and tokenization developments indicate maturing infrastructure supporting institutional use cases like settlement and collateral management. Key assumptions: survey respondents translate expectations into actual capital deployment, regulatory environment stabilizes or improves, and market conditions permit planned allocations. Uncertainties include macroeconomic headwinds, regulatory developments, and actual execution rates on stated intentions. Altcoins benefit less immediately as institutional flows typically concentrate in Bitcoin first, though broader allocations and increased institutional interest in DeFi/staking products could drive secondary outflows to tokens over the 12-month period.
Expected impact
The Coinbase-EY institutional survey reveals strong bullish sentiment, with 74% of money managers expecting price appreciation over the next 12 months. This forward-looking confidence should support medium-to-long-term price trends as institutions plan increased crypto allocations throughout 2026. Bitcoin stands to benefit most directly from institutional capital inflows, as it remains the primary institutional entry point and store of value proxy. The growing preference for regulated products and infrastructure maturation around stablecoins and tokenization reduces adoption barriers for institutional players. Capital deployment based on these allocation plans could materialize gradually across the 12-month horizon. Alternative cryptocurrencies may see secondary benefits as institutional flows broaden beyond Bitcoin, though near-term advantage favors the most regulated and established assets. The survey reflects optimistic positioning that could attract additional institutional interest through social proof and reduced regulatory uncertainty.