Bitcoin markets continue to grow as institutional investors and smaller traders become more comfortable with the new sector. ETFs have played a crucial role in facilitating investment in the world’s most popular cryptocurrency, which currently holds an aggregate market capitalization of over $2 trillion. At the same time, tokenization of real-world assets is becoming an accepted and eventually preferred method for issuing and managing holdings.
In brief, digital assets are quickly becoming a valued asset class with new features and opportunities.
Andrejs Balans, Risk Manager at YouHodler, says it is hard to ignore the momentum behind Bitcoin ETFs. Balans says large asset managers are regularly investing in these funds, and institutions are no longer on the sidelines, treating Bitcoin as an established long-term asset class.
“…it is one of the strongest signs yet that crypto has earned a seat at the financial table,” says Balans.
Ethereum, on the other hand, is an infrastructure layer that offers yield through staking and is part of the crypto sector that institutional investors are exploring.
“Regulated platforms are appearing to meet this demand, and that’s no small thing. Earning yield on digital assets in a secure, compliant way is precisely the kind of offering that could bring traditional finance even deeper into crypto.”
Balans notes that total crypto assets under management are at all-time highs, and more sophisticated strategies are being created. This signals that markets are no longer chasing short-term gains, but are instead focusing on long-term positioning and the future of digital assets.
“We’re not in the early days anymore, and we’re not just in it for the memes. With clear rules, growing trust, and institutional adoption, crypto is becoming part of the financial mainstream,” Balans states.
Ilya Volkov, CEO of YouHodler, believes digital assets are at an inflection point. Crypto is not about displacing traditional finance it is about redesigning a system that works for more people. Volkov believes crypto is entering a period of “maturity.”
Regarding tokenization, and making real world assets digital, Volkov describes tokenizing as foundational for the future of finance.
“The real transformation comes when we embed these assets into living, breathing financial systems that solve everyday problems. It’s not about putting real estate or invoices on the chain just for the sake of innovation. It’s about enabling those assets to become liquid, collateralized, and usable instantly by everyday users worldwide. That’s where this industry needs to go.”
He also believes a shift is taking place, moving away from speculation to utility. As speculation and fast money dominated the last chapter, the next cycle will be driven by platforms that deliver tangible utility.
“People don’t just want to hold assets; they want to use them. Whether that’s accessing instant credit, building digital credit histories, or saving in a way that reflects real economic needs … We’re building a financial experience, not a holding tank for coins.”
TradFi and DeFi are converging, says Volkov, which is not at odds but complimentary. The winners will be the ones who figure out how to integrate both sides.
“The future of finance isn’t binary. It’s blended,” explains Volkov.
With regulatory clarity emerging globally, what will separate participants will be platforms that go beyond compliance, creating systems that are trustworthy by design.
“Trust isn’t just built through licenses; it’s built through transparency, education, and consistent delivery,” says Volkov. “As an industry, we have a responsibility to build for more than investors. Crypto’s greatest legacy could be its ability to bring financial dignity to underserved populations. That means building tools that are simple, accessible, and meaningful, such as micro-lending, automated savings, or utilizing digital assets as a basis for creditworthiness. If we want to make this technology matter to the next billion users, we need to stop thinking about margins and start thinking about impact.”