Digital assets focused banking provider Sygnum has unveiled its latest Sygnal Report, offering a forward-looking analysis of the forces poised to transform the global digital asset ecosystem this year. Released recently this month, the research report from Sygnum Bank highlights a shift from exploratory phases to practical implementation, fueled by clearer regulations, technological advancements, and institutional confidence.
As digital assets integrate deeper into mainstream finance, the report identifies several pivotal trends that could redefine banking, investment, and innovation in 2026.One central theme is the rise of institutional adoption, where large financial entities are expected to weave digital assets into their everyday operations.
According to the report, tokenized payment systems—often called “token rails”—will become a standard component of banking infrastructure.
This involves incremental advancements in secure storage, asset issuance, and transaction settlement, enabling seamless treasury management, trading activities, and risk assessment.
Sygnum’s co-founder and group CEO emphasizes that by year’s end, major institutions will demonstrate tangible progress in embedding these tools, marking a departure from pilot projects to core business functions.
Tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs) emerges as another cornerstone, with a spotlight on real estate.
The report predicts that regions like Dubai will pioneer scalable models for property tokenization, creating standardized processes for issuing tokens and fostering active secondary markets.
If legal frameworks and market liquidity continue to improve, this could set a benchmark for the broader Middle East, making tokenized real estate a gateway for everyday investors and institutions.
Sygnum’s senior executive for the region notes that such developments will normalize fractional ownership, unlocking new liquidity in traditionally illiquid sectors.
Decentralized finance (DeFi) is forecasted to experience a robust resurgence, building on lessons from past volatility.
Enhanced protocols, stronger economic models for tokens, and deeper liquidity pools are anticipated to drive record levels of on-chain transactions, user engagement, and stablecoin usage.
Regulatory advancements will play a crucial role, attracting substantial capital from institutional players.
The ecosystem research lead at Sygnum suggests this rebound will position DeFi as a resilient alternative to traditional finance, capable of handling larger-scale operations without the fragility seen in earlier cycles.
Bitcoin’s trajectory toward sovereign asset status is another bold projection.
The report anticipates that at least three major economies—equivalent to G20 nations—will incorporate Bitcoin into their national reserves.
This move, driven more by operational practicality and policy clarity than market hype, could elevate Bitcoin’s role in global finance. Sygnum’s chief investment officer points out that as infrastructure matures, nations will view it as a strategic hedge, similar to gold.
In the Asia-Pacific region, tokenized assets are set to revolutionize treasury strategies for affluent investors.
High-net-worth individuals and family offices are likely to shift portions of their liquid holdings into stablecoins and yield-generating tokenized instruments, seamlessly linked to conventional banking systems.
The CEO of Sygnum’s Singapore operations highlights this as a practical evolution, blending digital efficiency with traditional wealth management.
Finally, artificial intelligence is expected to permeate DeFi, automating a significant portion—potentially one-third—of transactions.
By optimizing routing, spotting arbitrage opportunities, and streamlining processes, AI could make DeFi more accessible and efficient for institutions.
As governance structures solidify, this integration aims to scale adoption dramatically, according to Sygnum’s CMO.
Overall, the Sygnal Report paints an optimistic yet grounded picture of 2026, where convergence of tech, rules, and market readiness propels digital assets from niche to necessity.