Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) anticipates 2026 to be a transformative year for cryptocurrency as it becomes more integrated into the financial infrastructure. Following improved regulatory clarity and increased institutional engagement in 2025, SVB predicts a shift from price cycles to infrastructure development. Digital assets are expected to become more embedded in payments, custody, treasury management, and capital markets. SVB, now part of First Citizens Bank, highlights the convergence of institutional capital, stablecoins, tokenization, and AI as key drivers reshaping financial transactions. The bank reports a 44% increase in venture funding for U.S. crypto companies in 2025, with a focus on higher-quality projects. Additionally, SVB notes a significant rise in public companies holding Bitcoin, with 172 firms controlling about 5% of the circulating supply by Q3 2025. The bank foresees continued growth in venture capital investment and expects mergers and acquisitions to reach new heights as traditional financial institutions seek to integrate digital asset capabilities. SVB also predicts stablecoins will evolve into digital cash, with regulatory frameworks like the U.S. GENIUS Act accelerating adoption. The integration of blockchain and AI is expected to further enhance financial operations, positioning cryptocurrency as a foundational element of financial infrastructure.