CoinMarketCap’s Sobering 2026 Crypto Outlook

CoinMarketCap has released its forecast for 2026 — and it’s pretty sobering. The crypto market

is maturing. The hype era around new L1 and L2 blockchains is coming to an end — being loud

is no longer enough. The real focus is shifting to applications people actually use.

Most new blockchains won’t be able to retain users or build sustainable ecosystems,

and their tokens will start underperforming the market. One of the key narratives of 2026 will be

betting and prediction platforms. The winners will be projects with strong partnerships

and direct access to a mass audience. DeFi is evolving too — moving away from pure speculation

toward real cash flows. Protocols will start sharing profits with holders and