Crypto: Brazilian Exchange Mercado Bitcoin Outlines 6 Trends
- Mercado Bitcoin forecasts Bitcoin could reach 14% of gold’s market capitalization by the end of 2026.
- The Brazilian exchange mercado bitcoin outlines expects the stablecoin sector to grow to $500 billion, with altcoin ETFs reaching $10 billion.
- Tokenized assets, prediction markets, and AI-powered agents are expected to drive future onchain activity.
São Paulo-based cryptocurrency exchange Mercado Bitcoin (MB), one of Latin America’s largest trading platforms, notes that in 2025, total market capitalization of stablecoins grew nearly 50% year over year. Now, the brazilian exchange mercado bitcoin outlines six major trends it expects to define the crypto market in 2026. These include major expansion in stablecoins, altcoin exchange-traded funds, tokenization, and AI-driven trading as key forces shaping the next phase of the industry.
Bitcoin Outlines 6 Crypto Trends: BTC Could Reach 14% of Gold’s Market Capitalization by 2026
MB estimates that bitcoin could reach 14% of gold’s market capitalization by the end of 2026. MB estimates that bitcoin (BTC) could reach 14% of gold’s market capitalization by the end of 2026. The report cites bitcoin’s growing role as a store of value, particularly in comparison to gold, and firm’s analysts wrote the 14% figure isn’t a guess but rather the result of a valuation methodology developed in partnership with researchers from the University of California (UCLA). In the “Bitcoin Valuation Framework,” the report outlines 6 major trends. This framework, the firm’s analysts wrote, takes them to their base scenario where bitcoin might capture under different adoption scenarios.
Exchange Mercado Bitcoin Outlines 6 Crypto Trends: Stablecoins to Grow
According to MB, stablecoins have evolved from trading tools into payment instruments across countries and sectors. “[Stablecoins] play an essential role as a source of liquidity for the sector, facilitating the rapid and secure movement of resources without exposure to the volatility of other digital assets,” the report adds. MB expects to see the stablecoin sector, already a core part of the crypto infrastructure, grow to reach a market capitalization of stablecoins of $500 billion by the end of 2026. That, in part, will be over the growth of stablecoins that aren’t tied to the U.S. dollar. It notes that in 2025, total market capitalization of stablecoins grew nearly 50% year over year, a trend the company attributes to broader adoption and regulatory clarity, particularly in the United States.
Key Data Comparison
| Metric | Current Value (2026) | Projected Value (End of 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin vs. Gold Market Cap Ratio | 5.65% | 14% |
| Stablecoin Market Capitalization | $307 Billion | $500 Billion |
| Altcoin ETF Market Size | $2.56 Billion (XRP & SOL) | $10 Billion |
| Tokenized Real-World Assets Volume | $18 Billion (Estimate) | $54 Billion |
| Capital Locked in Prediction Markets | Under $1 Billion | $20 Billion |
Brazilian Exchange Mercado Bitcoin Outlines: Altcoin ETFs to Stand Out in 2026
After U.S. regulators began approving ETFs for crypto assets beyond bitcoin and ether in late 2025, funds tied to altcoins like XRP, solana etfs, and chainlink began attracting capital. Altcoin exchange-traded funds are expected to generate significant interest. XRP etfs alone now manage roughly $1.47 billion in assets, with sol expected to account for around 80% of new inflows. MB projects that this market segment will grow to at least $10 billion by the end of 2026.
Mercado Bitcoin Outlines: Tokenized Asset Market to Triple
The global volume of tokenized real-world assets is expected to increase by 200%, surpassing $54 billion. In 2025, regulatory advances across major markets enabled this growth, MB argued. Major institutional players, including BlackRock, Franklin Templeton, and WisdomTree have launched their own tokenized funds, while other institutions have started studying potential launches.
Outlines 6 Crypto Trends Shaping Markets: Prediction Markets to Expand
The report highlights prediction markets such as Polymarket and Kalshi as the fastest-growing segment in crypto. These platforms allow users to trade on the probability of future events, such as elections or sports outcomes. MB forecasts that capital locked in these markets could reach 20 billion by the end of 2026, up from an estimated 1 billion today.
6 Crypto Trends Shaping Markets: AI-Powered Agents to Drive Onchain Activity
MB also expects blockchain-integrated AI agents to play a larger role in crypto ecosystems. These agents, designed to make autonomous decisions and execute transactions, are beginning to leverage new technical standards like x402 and ERC-8004 to meet demands for transparency, traceability and micropayments. The report estimates that the volume traded by such AI agents will exceed $1 million per day in 2026, quadrupling from current levels.
Deep Dive: Market Analysis
The potential growth of stablecoins and altcoin ETFs indicates a maturing crypto market. The report cites bitcoin’s growing role as a store of value. This transition suggests that investors are seeking more stable and diversified crypto investments. The increased interest in AI-driven trading also highlights the growing sophistication of crypto market participants.
Conclusion
Mercado Bitcoin forecasts a bullish outlook for the crypto market through the end of 2026, driven by regulatory clarity, institutional adoption, and technological advancements. The report identifies a major expansion in stablecoins, altcoin exchange-traded funds, tokenization, and AI-driven trading as key forces shaping the next phase of the industry.
