BlackRock, Fidelity, and Vanguard have all embraced the world of cryptocurrencies, marking a significant shift in the financial landscape. Together, these three titans oversee over $45 trillion in assets, not millions, but trillions, serving tens of millions of clients. The emergence of a fourth giant is on the horizon, poised to further bolster the involvement of massive financial players in the cryptocurrency domain.
Trillion-Dollar Giants and Their Crypto Journey
BlackRock and Fidelity have already taken the plunge into cryptocurrencies by launching their own crypto-specific products. Vanguard, while allowing investments in crypto products for now, is expected to eventually release its own ETFs. As of early 2026, Charles Schwab, one of the biggest asset managers with $12 trillion under management, plans to introduce cryptocurrency services, signaling an intensified adoption by traditional finance behemoths.
Charles Schwab is set to launch Bitcoin and Ethereum trading services at the turn of the new year. Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas highlighted a critical question: “What will the commission fees be?” Schwab offers free ETF and stock trading, so if crypto trading also becomes free, it poses a significant threat to platforms like Coinbase. Any fee under 50 basis points could be concerning for crypto exchanges. ETFs, conversely, trade freely and have a 1-2 basis point spread, which is a challenging benchmark for Schwab to exceed.
With over 100 million professional investors managing over $45 trillion in assets, these four financial powerhouses are set to provide cryptocurrency services. This widespread institutional involvement could propel cryptocurrencies to new heights. The next phase for cryptocurrencies might involve rapid adoption by pension funds and the influx of passive investments exceeding tens of billions of dollars.
The Future of Cryptocurrencies
Notable figures in the on-chain analytics community, including CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju, have weighed in on future trends. Initially predicting the onset of bear markets in March, he later recognized that ETFs altered the game, suggesting the end of a four-year cycle. Despite being optimistic long-term, he remains cautious due to short-term metrics indicating potential declines.
“Most Bitcoin on-chain indicators trend downwards. Without macro liquidity, we’re entering a downturn cycle.
It’s simple: if you believe the macroeconomics will improve next year, buy. Otherwise, sell. Since I’m not an expert in macroeconomics, rely on the experts. New ETF entries play a crucial role. In this phase, responding is more important than forecasting. Define your scenarios and act accordingly.”
Ki Young Ju bravely suggests that if Strategy maintains its hold on 650,000 BTC during this cycle, it will prevent major declines. He believes a significant drop, akin to the 65% drop in 2022, is unlikely. Currently, Bitcoin is around 25% below its ATH, and even if a bear cycle emerges, the decline may be less severe, resembling a broad sideways range instead.
“Long-term investors should avoid panic selling. Bitcoin now has more liquidity channels, hence the long-term outlook is clearly strong (in my view).”