Dragonfly’s Haseeb Qureshi Shares 2026 Crypto Outlook, Highlights Infrastructure and Institutional Growth
Haseeb Qureshi, managing partner at crypto-focused venture firm Dragonfly, says 2026 will reward proven infrastructure while select high-growth segments reshape how the industry evolves. In a Dec. 29 post on X, Qureshi offered a comprehensive outlook emphasizing durability, distribution, and real-world usage over rapid experimentation, reflecting a broader investor reassessment following several volatile market cycles.
Markets and Blockchains
Qureshi predicts Bitcoin will end 2026 above $150,000, even as it accounts for a smaller share of the broader crypto market—signaling that activity elsewhere can expand without undermining Bitcoin’s role as the sector’s anchor.
He expressed skepticism toward newer, fintech-branded blockchains, noting that wallet engagement, stablecoin flows, and tokenized asset adoption may underperform expectations. Developer activity, he believes, will continue to concentrate on infrastructure prioritizing neutrality and composability, with Ethereum and Solana expected to outperform relative to expectations.
Qureshi also anticipates deeper corporate adoption, particularly in payments and financial services. He predicts at least one major tech company will launch or acquire a crypto wallet, while additional Fortune 100 firms integrate blockchain systems into banking and fintech operations. Avalanche and several rollup frameworks, he noted, are positioned to benefit.
Market Structure and DeFi
In decentralized finance, Qureshi expects consolidation over fragmentation. A small number of dominant venues will likely capture most on-chain perpetual futures trading, while smaller platforms compete over a shrinking market share. Product innovation, especially in derivatives and liquidity mechanisms emphasizing negotiated execution over open order books, will reshape trading behavior. He also warned that rising sophistication could invite reputational risk, predicting at least one high-profile insider trading controversy in DeFi.
Payments and Stablecoins
Qureshi’s strongest conviction is in payments infrastructure. He expects stablecoin supply to expand sharply in 2026, remaining largely dollar-denominated, while competition among issuers intensifies. Beyond issuance, he emphasized distribution, forecasting that new payment rails will accelerate adoption, particularly in emerging markets, and help integrate stablecoins into everyday transactions.
Regulation and Politics
On policy, Qureshi anticipates a U.S. crypto market structure bill in 2026 after extensive negotiations. While progress is likely, he cautioned that outcomes could leave parts of the industry dissatisfied. He also flagged heightened scrutiny of crypto ventures tied to U.S. politics, warning congressional investigations may uncover questionable deals and create reputational risks.
Prediction Markets, AI, and Security
Prediction markets, he predicts, will expand as cultural acceptance grows, with a handful of consumer-facing platforms gaining most attention while many copycats fail. In AI, Qureshi expects near-term crypto gains to remain in developer tooling and security rather than consumer automation. Smaller teams will ship increasingly complex products using AI workflows, and automated cybersecurity monitoring will improve defenses even as attack attempts persist.
Qureshi disclosed that he invests in many of the assets mentioned in his post.
