61% of Institutions to Increase Crypto Exposure, Diversify and Eye Staking ETFs Amid Regulatory Delays

Sygnum Bank’s Future Finance survey of over 1,000 institutional investors across 43 countries shows resilience in institutional crypto exposure despite October’s $20 billion market downturn. 61% of institutions plan to increase crypto exposure, while only 4% anticipate cutting holdings. Diversification remains a key strategy for 57% of respondents, followed by short-term yield targets at 53%. Demand is rising for structured products such as tokenized money market funds, stablecoins and multi-asset ETPs, offering flexible positioning without overconcentration. Over 80% view BTC as a valid treasury reserve asset, and about 70% cite holding cash as an opportunity cost versus Bitcoin over the next five years. More than 70% of investors would boost allocations if staking within ETFs becomes available, underlining strong appetite for regulated yield products. Clarity on altcoin ETF approvals is delayed by the US government shutdown, with 16 applications pending at the SEC. Jurisdictions with clear frameworks, such as Switzerland and the EU under MiCA, continue to attract interest. High-net-worth individuals show even stronger conviction, with 91% believing crypto preserves long-term wealth amid fiat stability concerns. The survey underscores a shift from speculative trading to long-term crypto exposure, suggesting bullish momentum into 2026.