Dragonfly managing partner outlines key crypto predictions for 2026.

Dragonfly’s Haseeb Qureshi Highlights Crypto Trends for 2026

Haseeb Qureshi, managing partner at Dragonfly, says 2026 will reward established crypto infrastructure while select high-growth segments reshape industry expansion. In a Dec. 29 post on X, he emphasized durability, distribution, and real-world usage over rapid experimentation, reflecting investor reassessment after volatile cycles.

Markets and Blockchains
Qureshi predicts Bitcoin (BTC) will finish 2026 above $150,000, even as its market share declines, signaling growth elsewhere without undermining Bitcoin’s role as the sector’s anchor. He expressed skepticism toward newer fintech-branded blockchains, citing underwhelming wallet engagement, stablecoin flows, and tokenized asset adoption. Developer activity, he expects, will remain focused on neutral, composable infrastructure, with Ethereum and Solana poised to outperform.

He also anticipates greater corporate involvement in payments and financial services, including at least one major tech company launching or acquiring a crypto wallet and additional Fortune 100 firms deploying blockchain systems. Avalanche and several rollup frameworks could benefit.

DeFi and Market Structure
Qureshi forecasts consolidation in decentralized finance, with a few dominant venues capturing most perpetual futures trading. Product innovation, particularly in derivatives and negotiated liquidity mechanisms, will reshape trading behavior, though he warns rising sophistication may bring reputational risks, including potential insider trading controversies.

Payments and Stablecoins
Stablecoin supply is expected to grow sharply, remaining largely dollar-denominated. Qureshi highlighted distribution and new payment rails as key to accelerating adoption, particularly in emerging markets.

Regulation, Prediction Markets, and AI
He anticipates a U.S. crypto market structure bill in 2026, though parts of the industry may remain dissatisfied. Prediction markets will expand, with a few consumer-facing platforms leading growth. In AI, Qureshi expects gains in developer tooling and security, while automated cybersecurity improves defenses.

Qureshi disclosed investments in many assets discussed in his post.