IOSG Investment Insights: How to Bet on Mainstream Assets in 2026?

As we step into 2026, the cryptocurrency market is undergoing a profound restructuring, with Bitcoin and other mainstream assets poised for structural opportunities driven by institutional adoption and policy tailwinds, according to IOSG Ventures' latest outlook. IOSG's ninth-year analysis, titled "IOSG's Ninth Year: 2026 Crypto Market Reconstruction and Structural Opportunities", highlights a shift from retail speculation to institutional allocation, setting the stage for targeted bets on core holdings like BTC and Ethereum.

Bitcoin's Path: Between Optimism and Reality

One year ago, IOSG outlined two divergent paths for Bitcoin: an optimistic scenario fueled by institutional embrace and government interest, versus a pessimistic one marked by unmet milestones and bearish sentiment. Reality in 2026 lands closer to the lower bound of expectations, yet far from crisis territory. Bitcoin has stabilized above $100,000 for over a year—a historic milestone—despite waves of selling by long-term holders totaling 1.4 million BTC worth $121 billion from March 2024 to November 2025.

IOSG co-founder Jocy predicts short-term range-bound trading between $87,000–$95,000 over the next 3–6 months, with institutions quietly accumulating amid spot Bitcoin ETF inflows exceeding $25 billion. The first half of 2026 emerges as a "policy honeymoon" period, propelled by U.S. regulatory clarity, potential Strategic Bitcoin Reserve expansions, and midterm election dynamics before November. This dual push from policy and institutions could drive BTC to $120,000–$150,000, aligning with forecasts from VanEck ($180,000), Standard Chartered ($175,000–$250,000), Tom Lee ($150,000), and Grayscale's new all-time high projection for early 2026.

Wall Street echoes this bullish tilt: Bernstein sees $150,000 by year-end, arguing the traditional four-year halving cycle is giving way to an extended bull driven by ETF infrastructure and corporate treasuries—now 134 companies holding 1.686 million BTC. Risks loom in the second half, including Fed policy, midterm volatility, and lingering long-term holder sales, but IOSG views this as the dawn of a new cycle, not its peak. Historical parallels reinforce confidence: from retail-driven $1,100 in 2013 to institutional-fueled $87,000+ today.

Ethereum and Beyond: Stablecoins, DeFi, and Selective Altcoin Plays

While Bitcoin anchors mainstream bets, Ethereum stands out for its entrenched roles in stablecoins and DeFi, positioning it best amid macroeconomic sensitivities. IOSG notes altcoin markets face a "lemon market" risk—where poor projects dominate due to overcorrections and misaligned token models—but recovery looms post-2025 digestion of 2021–2022 oversupply.

Structural trends favor quality: refined standards, benefit adjustment mechanisms, and selective token issuance for genuine value. Investors should prioritize assets with real utility, avoiding hype cycles as funding constraints curb new issuances. For 2026, legislative progress on market structure bills and ETF maturation could unlock broader adoption.

Positioning for 2026: Practical Strategies Amid Volatility

To bet on mainstream assets:

• Short-term (3–6 months): Accumulate BTC in the $87K–$95K range, leveraging institutional dips.
• Medium-term (H1 2026): Ride policy + institutional momentum toward $120K–$150K targets.
• Long-term: Hedge H2 volatility with diversified core holdings like ETH, monitoring election outcomes.

Secure these positions with robust hardware wallets like OneKey, renowned for its air-gapped security and seamless multi-chain support—ideal for safeguarding BTC and ETH during volatile institutional inflows. As IOSG emphasizes, focus on trends over short-term noise: 2026 rewards those betting on infrastructure and adoption.