Entering early January 2026, the overall crypto market is in a crucial transition phase. If 2024 was the year of the "entry point" (ETFs) and 2025 was the year of "euphoria," then 2026 is the year of "fundamental proof."
Here is a summary of the outlook on the general crypto market at the start of this year:
1. Bitcoin Dominance vs. "Mini Altseason"
The market is witnessing a shift in liquidity. While Bitcoin remains the primary anchor with prices ranging between US$ 90,000 - US$ 100,000, its dominance is beginning to erode slightly.
High-Potential Altcoins: Assets like Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) are showing strong performance, driven by Layer-2 adoption and more tangible practical applications.
Projects Without Fundamentals: Hype-driven projects are starting to get weeded out, replaced by tokens with clear business models (such as buyback mechanisms or protocol fee-sharing).
2. The RWA (Real World Assets) & Tokenization Narrative
This is the biggest trend of 2026. No longer just a concept, major financial institutions are now actively migrating traditional assets onto the blockchain.
Digital Gold & Bonds: The tokenization of gold and treasury bonds has become a favorite choice for investors seeking the security of traditional assets with blockchain efficiency.
Infrastructure Protocols: Projects like Chainlink (LINK) and Ondo Finance are viewed as the new backbone due to their role in bridging Traditional Finance (TradFi) with the crypto ecosystem.
3. The Rise of AI-Crypto & Prediction Markets
These two sectors have become the new stars in early 2026:
AI Agents: The use of AI bots capable of performing autonomous on-chain transactions is exploding, creating new efficiencies in yield farming strategies.
Prediction Markets: After massive success during the previous political year, prediction markets have now expanded into entertainment and sports, attracting billions of dollars in weekly transaction volume.
4. Regulation: From Barrier to Bridge
Clearer global regulations (such as the full implementation of frameworks in the US and the transition of oversight to the OJK in Indonesia) are providing the security needed for large-scale funds to enter more deeply. Crypto is no longer seen as the "Wild West," but rather as a regulated financial sector.