Crypto Forecasts Show Uneven Progress in Midyear Review

Crypto market forecasts for 2026 show uneven progress across different sectors. According to 21Shares, prediction markets and Ethereum scaling solutions are ahead of pace, while ETPs, stablecoins, DeFi, digital asset treasuries, and tokenized assets trail ambitious targets.

The report compared January expectations with market data through May 31 and June 8, separating areas that are ahead of schedule, behind target, or still developing. Bitcoin's four-year cycle was predicted to break in 2026, but it has yet to materialize. The cryptocurrency reached a peak of about $126,000 in October 2025 before retracing roughly 50%.

21Shares researchers described the overall direction for 2026 as 'largely on track,' while some predictions are ahead of schedule and others are lagging. Global crypto ETP assets were expected to surpass $400 billion, but now look distant after falling to roughly $140 billion by May. Bitcoin ETPs accounted for about $110 billion.

Prediction markets outperformed expectations, with platforms recording $57.5 billion through May, more than 10 times the same period last year. The report identified regulatory progress and infrastructure development as factors contributing to uneven progress across the digital asset sector.