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Hunter Horsley, the chief executive of Bitwise, has characterized 2026 as the year when major financial institutions fully embraced digital assets. In a post on X, Horsley outlined his outlook for the crypto market in 2027, arguing that the narrative for the current year is defined by the integration of traditional finance into the cryptocurrency sector.
Survey Data on Investor Intent
Horsley’s assessment is supported by data from the 2026 Modern Wealth Survey, conducted by Logica Research for Charles Schwab. The online study surveyed a national sample of Americans, with fieldwork taking place from August 24 to September 17, 2026. The results indicate a significant shift in retail investor behavior regarding digital assets.
According to the survey, 60% of respondents expect to add to their cryptocurrency holdings in the next 12 months. This figure exceeds the intent to increase holdings among other asset class owners, with 56% of ETF owners and 52% of stock owners planning to add to their respective positions. The data suggests that crypto is now competing with traditional investment vehicles for new capital allocation.
Charles Schwab noted in a related post that cryptocurrency is playing an increasing role in many Americans’ investment journeys. The survey found that more than half of Americans familiar with cryptocurrency consider it important or essential to building wealth. Furthermore, half of existing cryptocurrency owners view the asset class as a complement to traditional investments rather than a replacement. Growth potential and portfolio diversification emerged as the most commonly cited benefits by both current owners and interested parties.
Generational trends also appear in the data, with millennials identified as the most likely demographic to own and express interest in cryptocurrency. Additionally, more than two in five Americans familiar with the asset expect it to become a more popular investment choice in the coming years.
Institutional Holdings and Infrastructure
While retail intent provides one side of the adoption story, institutional data points to a deeper structural shift. A recent research report from Binance indicates that institutional appetite for digital assets is well established. This is corroborated by a 2026 survey conducted by EY-Parthenon and Coinbase, which found that 73% of institutions intend to increase their digital asset investments this year.
Hedge fund participation has also risen sharply. Data from AIMA and PwC shows that 55% of traditional hedge funds now hold cryptocurrency, up from 47% in 2024. This eight-point increase over two years reflects a growing acceptance of digital assets within traditional alternative investment strategies.
Infrastructure preferences among institutions are also shaping the market. According to the EY-Parthenon and Coinbase survey, 81% of surveyed institutions prefer spot exposure through a registered vehicle. This preference is viewed as a reflection of market infrastructure maturity rather than a specific choice of asset manager. The move toward registered vehicles suggests that institutions are seeking regulatory clarity and standardized access methods for their digital asset allocations.
Horsley’s 2027 outlook rests on the premise that the foundation laid in 2026 will drive further integration. With both retail and institutional metrics showing strong growth in intent and actual holdings, the CEO of Bitwise believes the financial system is moving past the experimental phase of crypto adoption.
