Emre Yumlu 
A new report from Sygnum Bank suggests that institutional appetite for digital assets remains strong through the end of the year, even as expectations begin to cool for 2026. The Future Finance 2025 study indicates that while near-term positioning is optimistic, investors are preparing for a more measured environment in the next cycle.
Shifting Drivers Behind Institutional Crypto Allocation
According to the report, 61% of surveyed participants intend to increase their exposure to digital assets, with 38% specifically planning to allocate more capital in the fourth quarter. Notably, the motivations fueling this momentum have evolved. Sygnum’s analysts highlight that diversification has overtaken broad “megatrend” narratives as the primary reason institutions are allocating to crypto.
Report lead author Lucas Schweiger notes that institutions increasingly view digital assets not simply as a defensive hedge, but as a way to participate in the structural transformation of global finance. The findings are based on responses from more than 1,000 professional and high-net-worth investors across 43 countries.
Active Management, ETF Expansion, and Rising Tokenization Demand
Active strategies have become the dominant institutional approach, with 42% favoring actively managed mandates and 39% leaning toward index-based exposure. Single-asset bets have fallen back as investors prioritize flexibility amid policy changes and market fluctuations.
Interest in crypto ETFs beyond bitcoin and ether is also accelerating. More than 80% of investors want broader ETF options, while 70% say they would boost allocations if staking were incorporated. Demand is particularly strong for Solana-focused and multi-asset products, aligning with the sustained inflows into U.S. spot SOL ETFs.
Tokenized real-world assets are another area gaining traction. Investor interest has surged from 6% to 26% year-over-year, reflecting increased confidence in regulated on-chain investment instruments such as tokenized bonds and funds.
Looking Ahead: Optimism for 2025, Caution for 2026
While 2025 is shaping up to be a year marked by disciplined risk-taking and robust demand catalysts, sentiment becomes more neutral heading into 2026. Concerns around regulatory uncertainty and slowing liquidity weigh on expectations.
Despite this, long-term conviction remains strong. A striking 91% of high-net-worth respondents consider crypto essential for wealth preservation, 81% regard bitcoin as a suitable treasury reserve asset, and nearly 70% believe holding cash carries a higher opportunity cost than holding bitcoin over a five-year horizon.
As Schweiger summarizes, investors may be approaching the market with greater discipline, but their underlying confidence in the asset class remains firmly intact.
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