Wall Street played a dominant role in driving crypto markets in 2025, with massive institutional inflows — especially into spot Bitcoin ETFs — helping legitimize Bitcoin, Ether and major altcoins as a mainstream asset class. However, momentum faded late in the year as ETF inflows slowed, triggering sharp corrections across the market.

Looking ahead to 2026, the outlook depends on whether institutional adoption, supportive regulation, Fed rate cuts and AI-driven equity strength can continue to attract capital. While the broader setup remains structurally bullish, risks tied to AI overinvestment, economic softening and shifting monetary policy could shape a more volatile and narrative-driven market in the year ahead.