The cryptocurrency market has been bustling recently. A senior executive from a leading exchange openly stated that the Shapeshift season is definitely coming. Although the specific timeline and target coins have not been disclosed yet, with such a high-profile endorsement, funds are already starting to stir. As the ecosystem token, BNB's attention naturally rises along with the hype.

What’s even more interesting is the move from traditional finance. Germany’s second-largest bank, DZ Bank, recently received regulatory approval to offer Bitcoin trading services to institutional clients. This is no small matter — it indicates that traditional financial institutions are truly changing their attitude towards crypto assets, and the compliance process is accelerating.

Data further illustrates the point. A joint annual survey by Bitwise and VettaFi shows that among financial advisors already allocated to crypto assets by 2025, 99% plan to increase their holdings or maintain their positions in 2026. What does this mean? The consensus among professional funds is very clear — crypto assets have become a necessary part of institutional portfolios, not an optional one.

On the coin level, differentiation is also happening. Standard Chartered recently released a significant research report, expressing a bullish outlook on Ethereum over Bitcoin. Their logic is: in the fields of stablecoins, DeFi, and physical assets, Ethereum has absolute dominance. Coupled with the catalysts of increased network throughput and clarified US regulatory frameworks, the potential for Ethereum has been unlocked.

Institutions have also set bold target prices for Ethereum: $7,500 in 2026, $15,000 in 2027, $22,000 in 2028, aiming for $30,000 by the end of 2029, and even $40,000 by the end of 2030. The numbers reflect confidence in the overall development prospects of the ecosystem.

In the short term, Bitcoin does seem somewhat weak, but institutional funds are quietly flowing into Ethereum. This shift is not sudden but based on a reassessment of the fundamentals of each coin. Once this trend is established, the market capitalization landscape of the crypto market could face a major reshuffle.

Overall, during the 2026-2030 cycle, the continuous entry of traditional finance, firm institutional accumulation, and the dual explosion of Ethereum’s technology and ecosystem—these three forces combined could indeed rewrite the history narrative of the crypto market.