2027 Crypto Outlook: Bitwise CEO Highlights Wall Street Adoption

In a post on X, Horsley reflected on the institutional shift that happened in 2026, writing, "The story of 2026 will have been that the financial institutions all joined team crypto." This sentiment was echoed by Charles Schwab, which noted crypto's increasing role in Americans' investment journeys according to their 2026 Modern Wealth Survey.

Growing Retail Interest

The Modern Wealth Survey, conducted for Charles Schwab by Logica Research from August to September 2026, revealed that 60% of cryptocurrency investors plan to add to their holdings in the next 12 months. This exceeds the 56% of ETF owners and 52% of stock owners who have similar intentions.

Growth potential and portfolio diversification are the most commonly cited benefits by crypto owners and those interested in it. More than half of Americans familiar with cryptocurrency consider it important or essential to building wealth.

Institutional Appetite

According to a Binance research report, institutional appetite for digital assets remains strong. The EY-Parthenon and Coinbase 2026 survey found that 73% of institutions intend to increase their digital asset investments this year. Additionally, 55% of traditional hedge funds now hold crypto, up from 47% in 2024.

However, this demand primarily flows into passive wrappers, with 81% of surveyed institutions preferring spot exposure through registered vehicles, reflecting market infrastructure rather than manager selection.