A compliant platform predicts growth of stablecoins and on-chain adoption in 2026

Source: PortaldoBitcoin Original Title: Coinbase aims for growth in stablecoins and onchain adoption in 2026, says Brian Armstrong Original Link: A major cryptocurrency exchange plans to expand its stablecoin offerings and increase onchain adoption worldwide in 2026, according to statements from its CEO and founder.

In a New Year’s Day announcement, the executive stated that the company’s overall goal is to become “the world’s number one financial app.” The publication detailed how the exchange intends to approach this goal in 2026, focusing on expanding stablecoins and payments, as well as increasing its global presence in crypto, stocks, prediction markets, and commodities.

The main objectives for 2026 include:

1. Expand the global exchange platform (crypto, stocks, prediction markets, commodities – in spot, futures, and options)

2. Scale stablecoins and payments

3. Bring the world onchain through proprietary blockchain infrastructure

The executive also stated that the exchange will make “significant investments” in automation and product quality, utilizing its layer 2 blockchain network to “bring the world onchain.”

These statements follow a similar update made on New Year’s Eve by the exchange’s global investment research head, who argued that regulatory clarity and institutional adoption “are converging to make cryptocurrencies part of the financial core.”

The researcher also highlighted the role of spot cryptocurrency ETFs, stablecoins, and tokenization in driving growth and adoption, suggesting that these factors will combine in 2026 “as ETF approval timelines shorten, stablecoins play a larger role in delivery versus payment structures (DvP), and tokenized collateral is more widely recognized in traditional transactions.”

These statements also come a few months after the exchange reported Q3 financial results above expectations, with a 26% increase in revenue compared to the previous quarter, reaching $1.9 billion.

September also brought news that the exchange is considering launching a native token for its blockchain network, although it clarified that there is no set timeline for any potential launch.

How achievable are these goals?

While the exchange had a positive 2025, some industry commentators suggest that the most recent announcement may have been intentionally hyperbolic and that it should perhaps be viewed more as a long-term strategy rather than goals for this year.

“The objectives make sense in terms of direction, but overestimate short-term feasibility; real adoption depends on solving real problems, not just bringing users onchain by itself,” said an intergovernmental blockchain advisor and head of digital consulting at an international organization.

The consultant agreed that the exchange is a “critical entry point” for retail and institutions, but that the declared goal of “bringing the world onchain” oversimplifies the lengthy adoption process.

According to him, the exchange’s strengths lie in infrastructure, such as custody and fiat rails, rather than “building these vertical applications,” adding that the goals “are only realistic if they allow for use cases by others — and do not try to lead them.”

That said, the forecast for the cryptocurrency sector as a whole is that there will be a renewed emphasis on “user-centered utility” in 2026.

“After the speculative excesses of previous cycles, 2026 will prioritize accessible and non-speculative applications,” explained the analyst, citing examples such as travel platforms using crypto for frictionless international rewards, supply chain tracking for ethical sourcing, and health data interoperability through permissioned blockchains.

It was also suggested that 2026 will see corporate adoption mature in finance (for example, tokenized assets), in healthcare (for example, secure patient records), and in supply chains (for example, provenance verification), but ultimately, success depends on interoperability and regulation.