Franklin Templeton: Sophisticated investors will bet on Bitcoin, Ethereum & Co. in 2026.
After a volatile 2025, investors are likely to return to crypto in 2026, according to Franklin Templeton. The reason is the further development of cryptocurrencies into a financial infrastructure.
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• Bitcoin 2025 between sell-off and soaring
• Franklin Templeton sees larger crypto investor base in 2026
• Growing number of crypto ETFs as a starting point
The year 2025 was marked by ups and downs for the crypto sector. This is particularly evident in the development of the oldest cryptocurrency, Bitcoin. It started 2025 with a price of around $100,000, but fell back to under $80,000 in April. Another surge followed and in October 2025, Bitcoin hit an all-time high at around $126,000. However, it then fell again to around $85,000. Ultimately, the digital currency ended 2025 at a price of around $87,560.
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Growing interest from “established investors”
If investment manager Franklin Templeton has his way, the year 2026 is likely to drive more investors into the crypto sector. Franklin Templeton expert Robert Crossley explains this in an interview with DL News. He justified this with growing interest from “established investors” in the crypto sector. In the past, it was particularly younger investors who opened up to the cryptoverse because cryptocurrencies fit in with how they interact with technology and money. Now established investors are also turning to the crypto sector for long-term returns and diversification: “The gap between these groups is narrowing as digital assets increasingly become part of mainstream financial planning,” said Crossley.
According to DL News, various online financial service providers such as Wise, Revolut, Stripe and Robinhood have also launched initiatives in the past to increasingly connect the crypto sector with traditional finance. They have accordingly expanded their product range to attract a wide range of investors, namely not only retail investors, but also institutional and professional investors.
Political support
The cryptoverse is also receiving more and more political support. Even before his re-election, US President Donald Trump promised to make the USA a role model when it comes to crypto. But crypto-friendly regulations are also increasing in other parts of the world. The EU and Great Britain also want to become competitive when it comes to digital currencies.
Altcoins are also more popular
In addition to Bitcoin, other cryptocurrencies, so-called altcoins, have also experienced rapid developments in 2025. According to Franklin Templeton, these are also likely to become increasingly popular in 2026. However, Robert Crossley says investors need to be more careful here: “Investors want to understand what an investment does, how it trades and how it fits into a portfolio. This shows that the market is moving towards more informed and disciplined decision-making.”
More crypto ETFs
The fact that cryptocurrencies are finding more acceptance in traditional finance is also reflected in the numerous crypto ETFs on various cyber currencies that have now been approved. As DL News writes with reference to the ETF Database, around 75 new crypto ETFs were launched in 2025, bringing the total number to 150. As Bloomberg Intelligence analyst James Seyffart announced via X, 126 additional ETF applications are in the pipeline for 2026. Crossley sees ETFs as a “starting point rather than a culmination,” as DL News quotes him: “They offer investors a familiar way to gain exposure to a new asset class, and that’s important.”
Overall, the goal for Crossley is “consistency and longevity, not following short-term trends.” Whether this can actually be achieved in 2026 remains to be seen.
Editorial team finanzen.net