The adoption of digital assets by banks, asset managers, and large corporations is no longer an "optional or peripheral" process, according to PwC.
In their 2026 Global Crypto Regulation Report, the firm's experts noted:
"Institutional participation has crossed the point of no return."
They believe that digital assets are no longer limited to trading but are increasingly being integrated into payments, interbank settlements, treasury operations, and balance management.
PwC specialists highlighted the growing use of stablecoins, tokenized assets, and other blockchain products by traditional financial institutions.
The transfer of monetary assets using such tools among market participants through internal transfers, cross-border payments, and corporate treasury obligations is leading to a close intertwining of the TradFi sector with blockchain-based infrastructure.
By 2026, experts believe the global regulatory environment will no longer be a barrier to the adoption of cryptocurrencies by large companies and institutions.
"The regulatory momentum is accelerating, along with the pace of institutional adoption. What is emerging now provides not just clarity but also confidence for institutions to innovate, scale, and integrate digital assets into the foundation of the global financial system," the report states.
UBS Prepares to Offer Bitcoin Trading to Wealthy Clients
Swiss banking giant UBS, which manages $4.7 trillion in assets, is selecting partners to launch cryptocurrency trading services. This was reported by Bloomberg citing its own sources.
Negotiations have been ongoing for several months, and the bank has yet to make a final decision regarding its next steps.
If the initiative moves forward, UBS will initially provide selected clients in Switzerland access to buy and sell Bitcoin and Ethereum. The offering is expected to expand to other markets, including the U.S. and Asia-Pacific region.
Bloomberg noted that launching such a product would represent a significant shift for UBS. The financial holding has long maintained a cautious stance on cryptocurrencies, deeming the assets unsuitable for investment due to concerns about bubbles. The bank has also pointed out regulatory risks.
According to one source, UBS's interest in the crypto segment is driven by increasing demand from wealthy clients.
It is worth noting that in January, one of Belgium's largest banks, KBC, announced the launch of regulated trading for Bitcoin and Ethereum.