ether.fi CEO Mike Silagadze forecasts that Ethereum's growth in 2026 will be driven by financial products familiar to everyday users, rather than speculative activities. He anticipates 2025 as a pivotal year for Ethereum, with a significant influx of institutional investors. While staking within ETFs remains limited, other institutional tools like Digital Asset Treasurys (DATs) are advancing rapidly, with many institutions already deploying on ether.fi. Silagadze highlights the burgeoning crypto-banking movement, noting that digital banking is crucial for Ethereum's adoption, especially with the rising use of stablecoins in global finance. He believes these platforms offer more direct participation in on-chain activities compared to ETFs, enhancing user engagement and rewards. Silagadze stresses that Ethereum's success hinges on delivering practical functionality at scale by 2026.