In its latest report, analytics firm Presto Research forecasts that Bitcoin (BTC) could reach a value of $160,000 by 2026. Additionally, the total market for tokenized assets is projected to approach $490 billion, with the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector expected to surpass $10 billion as the crypto market matures into a more institutional landscape.

The report highlights that after a turbulent 2025 filled with uncertainty, the market is moving away from speculative rushes towards practical applications, focusing on cash flow and regulatory compliance.

Institutional Growth Driving Price Increases

Presto’s analysts predict that the valuation of tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) and stablecoins could near half a trillion dollars by the end of 2026. This growth is attributed to sustained interest in U.S. Treasury instruments integrated into blockchain technology, in addition to a growing preference for stablecoins catering to international transactions. The trend illustrates a shift from speculative trading to genuine financial utility.

A $160,000 target for Bitcoin is firmly rooted in their analysis which weighs current on-chain adoption rates against prospective investor hesitance due to future technological threats, notably from quantum computing advancements.

“To manage investor anxiety over potential encryption vulnerabilities due to quantum developments, we apply what we term a ‘30% quantum haircut’ to our projections,” Presto notes in the report. They caution that should quantum readiness become a regular consideration in investment discussions, it could profoundly alter investor sentiment.

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Furthermore, Presto anticipates a substantial rise in privacy-oriented financial operations on blockchain networks, predicting that confidential DeFi tools will accumulate $10 billion in managed assets amid an increasing demand for regulatory privacy.

Conclusion: A Market Maturing

The analyses conducted by Presto encapsulate a year marked by both triumphs and challenges, revealing a transformative year in the crypto landscape leading to a matured market in 2026. This shift is anticipated to prioritize sustainable value creation and efficient risk management over prior periods of unchecked speculation.