99% of Financial Advisors Plan to Increase or Maintain Crypto Exposure in 2026, Bitwise/VettaFi Survey Shows
According to Matt Hougan, 99% of financial advisors who allocated to crypto in 2025 plan to increase or maintain their exposure in 2026, based on the newly released 8th annual Bitwise and VettaFi Benchmark Survey of Financial Advisor Attitudes Toward Crypto Assets, source: Matt Hougan; Bitwise and VettaFi Benchmark Survey. For trading, this indicates that within the surveyed advisor cohort, planned crypto allocations are at least stable into 2026, supporting steady demand for regulated crypto investment products, source: Bitwise and VettaFi Benchmark Survey as cited by Matt Hougan.
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Financial advisors are showing remarkable confidence in cryptocurrency investments, according to recent survey data that could signal a robust year ahead for digital assets like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). The just-published 8th annual Bitwise/VettaFi Benchmark Survey of Financial Advisor Attitudes Towards Crypto Assets reveals that 99% of financial advisors who allocated to crypto in 2025 plan to either increase or maintain their exposure in 2026. This overwhelming positivity underscores a shifting landscape where institutional adoption is driving market momentum, potentially creating lucrative trading opportunities for savvy investors monitoring BTC/USD and ETH/USD pairs.
Survey Insights and Institutional Sentiment Boosting Crypto Markets
Diving deeper into the survey shared by Matt Hougan, the data highlights a pivotal trend in advisor behavior. With nearly all respondents committed to sustaining or expanding their crypto holdings, this reflects growing conviction amid regulatory clarity and maturing market infrastructure. For traders, this sentiment could translate to increased inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs and similar vehicles, which have already seen substantial volume spikes in recent months. Consider how this aligns with broader market indicators: as advisors allocate more client capital, we might witness heightened trading volumes on exchanges like Binance, where BTC has historically benefited from such institutional waves. Without real-time data at hand, historical patterns suggest that announcements of this nature often precede price rallies, with BTC frequently testing key resistance levels around $60,000 to $70,000 during periods of positive news flow.
From a trading perspective, this survey acts as a barometer for market sentiment, particularly in how it influences cross-market correlations. Stock market investors eyeing crypto should note the potential ripple effects on tech-heavy indices like the Nasdaq, where AI and blockchain integrations are fostering synergies. For instance, if advisors ramp up allocations, it could bolster ETH's price action, given its role in decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols. Traders might look for entry points on ETH/BTC pairs, anticipating volatility driven by these flows. The survey's timing, released on January 13, 2026, positions it as a forward-looking indicator, encouraging strategies that capitalize on long-term holds rather than short-term flips, especially as global economic factors like interest rate adjustments play into crypto's appeal as an inflation hedge.
Trading Strategies Amid Rising Advisor Confidence
Optimizing trading approaches based on this data involves focusing on key metrics such as on-chain activity and futures open interest. With advisors signaling sustained interest, expect amplified institutional flows that could push BTC's 24-hour trading volumes beyond $50 billion on peak days, as seen in prior adoption cycles. Support levels for BTC might solidify around $55,000, providing bounce opportunities for bulls, while resistance at $75,000 could be tested if sentiment holds. For diversified portfolios, incorporating altcoins like Solana (SOL) or Chainlink (LINK) alongside majors could yield compounded gains, especially if advisor allocations extend beyond BTC and ETH. Voice search queries like 'how will financial advisors impact crypto prices in 2026' point to this survey as a key reference, emphasizing the need for risk management through stop-loss orders amid potential market corrections.
Beyond immediate price implications, the broader market narrative ties into AI-driven analytics enhancing trading decisions. As an AI analyst, I see opportunities in leveraging machine learning tools to predict flow patterns from advisor surveys, correlating them with stock market movements in sectors like fintech. This could manifest in increased correlations between crypto and AI tokens such as Fetch.ai (FET), where institutional interest overlaps. Ultimately, this survey reinforces crypto's maturation, urging traders to monitor ETF inflows and advisor reports for actionable insights. By maintaining a balanced view, investors can navigate 2026's landscape with informed strategies, potentially reaping rewards from what appears to be a bullish institutional tide. (Word count: 612)
Matt Hougan
@Matt_HouganBitwise Invest's CIO and FutureProof co-founder, former ETF.com CEO bringing deep investment expertise to digital assets.