HashKey and HKUST Digital Finance Lab Jointly Publish the "Top 10 Trends in the Digital Asset Industry for 2026"
- HashKey Group
- 12h
- 4 min read
Hong Kong, Dec. 29, 2025 – HashKey Holdings Limited ("HashKey" or "the Company", Stock Code: 3887.HK), in collaboration with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Digital Finance Lab, has jointly published the "2026 Digital Asset Industry Outlook: Top 10 Emerging Trends." Based on industry research and market survey results, this report aims to share the primary focus areas of industry participants regarding the future development of digital assets by providing a research reference framework for the industry.
This industry trend observation was jointly initiated by HashKey and the HKUST Digital Finance Lab. The HashKey research team provided support on macro-economic environments and industry structural changes while the HKUST Digital Finance Lab was responsible for the questionnaire design, a 7-day independent survey, and statistical analysis of the results.
According to the survey results, the top 10 trends highly anticipated by industry participants for 2026 include:
AI Agents are expected to evolve into autonomous on-chain execution entities. These agents will be capable of independently completing order execution, clearing, position management, and risk control within smart contract frameworks. It will truly become on-chain native trading participants. (Approval Rate: 86.8%)
Asset tokenization will accelerate comprehensively. The scalable migration of securities to the blockchain will become a major industry milestone. On-chain registration and clearing infrastructure will progressively mature and gradually integrate with DeFi. (Approval Rate: 84.6%)
Fiat on- and off-ramp infrastructure for stablecoins will be systematically upgraded. Stablecoins will accelerate integration with real-world financial systems by entering tangible commercial activities. Banks and large financial institutions will leverage stablecoins to achieve greater product innovation and business expansion. (Approval Rate: 79.4%)
Hong Kong accelerates the maturity of its digital asset regulatory framework. Developments such as licensed stablecoins, the normalization of tokenized asset issuance, and secondary market circulation are expected to be implemented. (Approval Rate: 77.3%)
Dual-track competition between offshore and onshore exchanges will further intensify. However, compliance and transparency will become irreversible barriers to entry and competitive differentiators. (Approval Rate: 74.2%)
Global liquidity recovers, yet selectivity remains. Digital assets continue to hold strong market allocation value but this does not imply universal prosperity. Capital attention will remain concentrated on core, high-quality assets such as BTC and ETH. (Approval Rate: 64.7%)
Staking enters the "Institutional Era." DAT (Digital Asset Trading) and ETFs are becoming mainstream, while Liquid Staking Derivatives (LSD) face regulatory compression. (Approval Rate: 63.6%)
Industry Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) will significantly increase. Infrastructure and compliant assets will become key focal points for acquisition. (Approval Rate: 62.1%)
High-performance public chain scaling and compliant privacy solutions become mainstream. Next-generation privacy schemes such as ZK (Zero-Knowledge) and FHE (Fully Homomorphic Encryption) will become standard configurations for institutional-grade infrastructure. (Approval Rate: 55.3%)
Global regulation enters a competitive phase. A global competitive landscape will form around stablecoin clearing, tokenized assets, and institutional access. (Approval Rate: 55.2%)
The survey results indicate high support for the convergence of AI and blockchain, asset tokenization, and stablecoin infrastructure. This shows the industry's sustained focus on the deep integration of blockchain technology and finance. Meanwhile, the refinement of regulatory systems and market structural changes also received support from over 70% of respondents. This demonstrates that the industry's focus is gradually shifting towards institutional construction, compliance frameworks, and long-term sustainable development paths. HashKey will continue to monitor long-term structural trends in the digital asset industry and conduct relevant business research within a compliant framework.
Disclaimer: The content contained in this report is based solely on the joint industry survey results of HashKey and the HKUST Digital Finance Lab. It aims to objectively present the general observations and expectations of industry participants and does not represent a commitment regarding the Company's future market trends, asset prices, or business performance. Percentage data cited in this report is derived from independent survey samples and is for reference only.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute, and shall not be construed as, an offer, solicitation, invitation, recommendation, or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe for, or otherwise deal in any digital assets, securities, or financial products. It does not constitute financial, investment, legal, tax, accounting, or other professional advice and should not be relied upon as such. Any descriptions of products, services, promotions, or programmes are for general reference only. Participation in any products, services, or promotions mentioned is subject to applicable terms, conditions, and regulatory requirements.
The content of this report is limited to academic discussion and data sharing regarding industry technical trends and regulatory dynamics. It involves no official positions, financial forecasts, operational targets, or undisclosed material business developments of the Company or any of its affiliates. This report may contain forward-looking statements or indicative information. Actual outcomes may differ materially, and HashKey Holdings Limited assumes no obligation to update such information.
About HashKey Holdings Limited
HashKey Holdings Limited （"HashKey", the Company, Stock Code: 3887.HK） is an established comprehensive digital asset company in Asia with a global footprint, providing end-to-end financial infrastructure, technology and investment management to create a digital assets ecosystem. The Company offers a licensed digital asset platform to provide transaction facilitation services, on-chain services, and asset management services.