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One of the closely followed figures in the crypto markets, Tom Lee, has shared his new assessments for 2026. The founder of Fundstrat Global Advisors, Tom Lee this time focused not only on the price potential of cryptocurrencies but also on the transformative impact of blockchain technology on the traditional financial system. According to the renowned strategist, blockchain will become one of the core building blocks of the banking sector in the coming years.
Tom Lee: Blockchain Is No Longer Just an Investment Asset
Tom Lee emphasizes that blockchain technology should no longer be viewed solely through the lens of cryptocurrency investments. According to Lee, blockchain has evolved into an infrastructure solution that enhances efficiency within the global banking system. Faster transaction speeds, lower costs, and increased transparency are pushing traditional financial institutions toward this technology. Lee states that this transformation will be felt more clearly by 2026, and banks that adopt blockchain will gain a serious competitive advantage.
Major Banks Are Turning to Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence
According to the well-known strategist, global financial giants such as JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs are on the brink of a major transformation by integrating blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) into their operations. Thanks to these technologies, banks are expected to significantly reduce operational costs. Tom Lee argues that as automation and intelligent systems become more widespread, workforce intensity will decline while processes become faster and more accurate. He believes this development will directly boost banks’ profit margins.
“The integration of blockchain and artificial intelligence will create significant efficiency gains and margin expansion for major banks.”
— Tom Lee
One of Lee’s most striking forecasts is that large banks may eventually be valued not as traditional financial institutions, but as technology companies. He suggests that the efficiency gains delivered by blockchain could transform banks’ valuation multiples. In this context, Lee argues that institutions like JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs could be traded with a “tech stock” narrative similar to Nvidia or Apple, implying that they could become candidates for a new “Magnificent Seven” group in the future.
Santa Claus Rally and a Dovish Fed Expectation for 2026
Tom Lee also touched on the “Santa Claus Rally,” a topic closely followed by crypto investors. He stated that this rally is not a myth but a statistical reality supported by historical data, noting that fresh capital typically flows into markets during the final weeks of the year and the first days of the new year.
Looking ahead to 2026, Lee expects a more dovish Federal Reserve. He believes a shift toward interest rate cuts would increase risk appetite in both traditional markets and blockchain-based projects. In such an environment, he highlighted that ISM data rising above the 50 level would serve as a significant supportive factor for risk assets.
Assessment
Tom Lee’s projections for 2026 indicate that crypto markets are entering a critical phase not only in terms of price action, but also in the integration of technology and finance. The widespread adoption of blockchain technology in the banking sector could create new opportunities for both traditional finance and the crypto ecosystem. Combined with dovish Fed policies and rising risk appetite, 2026 appears poised to become a major turning point for cryptocurrencies and blockchain projects.
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