DRAGONFLY: BIG TECH CRYPTO WALLETS ARRIVING BY 2026, FINTECH BLOCKCHAINS UNDER PRESSURE
A major Big Tech company is expected to launch a crypto wallet by 2026, while more Fortune 100 firms are predicted to roll out their own blockchain networks, according to Haseeb Qureshi, managing partner at Dragonfly.
In a post on X, Qureshi noted that the next wave of corporate blockchain adoption is likely to come from banks and fintech companies, rather than consumer brands or crypto-native startups.
He added that these firms will probably favor modular blockchain setups built on platforms like Avalanche, using tools such as OP Stack, Orbit, and ZK Stack. This approach enables companies to operate permissioned or semi-private networks while still settling transactions on a public blockchain, combining flexibility with transparency.
Major Banks Explore Private Blockchains, but Widespread Adoption Remains Elusive
Several leading financial institutions, including JPMorgan, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, and IBM, have experimented with private blockchains. However, most of these projects remain limited to pilot programs or narrowly focused use cases, with little large-scale adoption so far.
Earlier this month, Galaxy Digital highlighted that at least one Fortune 500 bank, cloud provider, or e-commerce platform could launch a layer-1 blockchain in 2026 capable of settling over $1 billion in real economic activity, complete with a bridge to decentralized finance (DeFi).
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Big Tech Crypto Wallets Could Drive Mass Adoption
Dragonfly’s Haseeb Qureshi predicts that a major Big Tech firm—potentially Google, Meta, or Apple—will launch or acquire a crypto wallet next year. Such a move could instantly introduce billions of users to digital assets, far outpacing the onboarding capacity of traditional crypto-native apps.
Fintech Blockchains Face Tough Reality
Despite the growing interest in fintech-led blockchains, Qureshi remains skeptical about their long-term impact. He argues that layer-1 networks launched by fintech companies aiming to compete with Ethereum and Solana are unlikely to attract sufficient developers or users.
“Despite the excitement around the recent crop of fintech chains, their metrics will underwhelm,” Qureshi noted, citing weak daily active addresses, stablecoin flows, and real-world asset activity.
In contrast, he expects Ethereum and Solana to maintain dominance, as developers continue to favor neutral, crypto-native infrastructure over narrowly controlled fintech networks.
Bitcoin Could Surpass $150K by 2026, but Market Dominance May Decline
Crypto analyst Haseeb Qureshi predicts that Bitcoin (BTC) could trade above $150,000 by the end of 2026. However, he expects BTC dominance to decrease as capital flows into other sectors of the crypto market.
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Galaxy Digital offered a more cautious outlook, describing 2026 as “too chaotic” for precise predictions. They noted Bitcoin could end the year anywhere between $50,000 and $250,000, highlighting the high uncertainty in the market.
Stablecoin Market Set for Significant Growth
Qureshi also forecasted that the stablecoin market, currently valued at $312 billion, could expand by roughly 60% in 2026. Within this space, Tether’s market share is expected to decline slightly, slipping from about 60% to 55%, signaling increased competition among stablecoins.
Industry Views on Bitcoin’s 2026 Outlook
The crypto community remains divided on what 2026 holds for Bitcoin. Phong Le, CEO of Strategy, emphasized that Bitcoin’s fundamentals remained resilient throughout 2025, even amid weaker prices. Similarly, Matt Hougan, Bitwise’s CIO, has called 2026 an expected “up year” for Bitcoin.
Market analyst Linh Tran of XS.com pointed out that recent Bitcoin price movements are more sensitive to monetary policy expectations than to headline economic data, suggesting investors are closely monitoring interest rates and central bank signals.
Conclusion
Bitcoin is poised for significant growth in 2026, with forecasts suggesting it could surpass $150,000. However, its market dominance may decline as capital rotates into other crypto sectors. The stablecoin market is also expected to expand rapidly, though Tether’s share may slightly shrink. Overall, the outlook for Bitcoin and the broader crypto market remains optimistic but sensitive to monetary policy and investor sentiment, highlighting both opportunities and risks for the year ahead.