Binance Research said crypto markets are entering a new phase, as institutional allocation and strategic positioning begin to outweigh retail-driven momentum.
Despite a weak finish to 2025 for digital asset markets, the sector appears to be undergoing a structural shift, moving away from retail-led momentum trading toward one increasingly shaped by institutional capital flows and long-term strategic positioning.
That was a key takeaway from a recent macro weekly report by Binance Research, which pointed to a “structural pivot” underway across digital asset markets. The report highlighted potential drivers including sovereign accumulation in emerging markets and legislative efforts in the United States to establish a strategic digital asset reserve.
Following the approval of US spot Bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded funds in early 2024, the market has now entered what Binance Research described as a “second round” of institutional adoption, characterized by deeper engagement from traditional financial institutions.
