Institutional investors are gradually increasing their exposure to digital assets, with Bitcoin continuing to dominate allocation preferences as broader crypto market sentiment improves, according to a new survey from asset manager CoinShares.
Survey details: $1.3 trillion in AUM represented
The April 2026 survey gathered responses from 26 institutional investors overseeing a combined $1.3 trillion in assets under management. Allocations to digital assets remain modest, at around 1%, which CoinShares described as typical entry sizing in the current de-risking environment. Despite the cautious approach, the findings signal a notable shift in institutional attitudes toward crypto.
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Bitcoin leads, Ether and Solana see modest gains
According to the report, Bitcoin remains the digital asset with the most compelling growth outlook. Around 32% of respondents have already invested in Bitcoin, while 25% have allocated to Ether. Sentiment toward Solana also improved modestly compared with previous quarters. The survey noted a shift away from legacy altcoins toward newer decentralized finance protocols and emerging blockchain sectors.
What’s driving the change?
The improved sentiment is attributed to several factors: growing adoption of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), a more favorable regulatory backdrop, and improving market conditions. However, respondents identified internal restrictions and regulatory uncertainty as the main barriers preventing broader adoption.
ETF inflows confirm the trend
The survey’s findings align with broader institutional flow data. CoinShares reported that digital asset investment products recorded $1.2 billion in inflows through April 27, marking the fourth consecutive week of gains and bringing total inflows during that stretch to $3.9 billion. US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded nearly $1 billion in net inflows in early May as Bitcoin climbed back above $80,000, according to SoSoValue data.
This trend is further supported by a separate survey from Coinbase and EY-Parthenon, which found that 73% of institutional investors plan to increase their digital asset exposure this year, with most expecting crypto prices to rise over the next 12 months.
Why this matters for the broader market
The steady increase in institutional participation, particularly through regulated ETF structures, reduces operational friction and offers a compliant entry point for large-scale investors. This development could provide a more stable foundation for the crypto market, reducing volatility and increasing mainstream acceptance. The launch of spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US in January 2024 is widely viewed as a turning point, and these latest survey results suggest the trend is gaining momentum.
Conclusion
The CoinShares survey provides clear evidence that institutional investors are warming back up to digital assets, with Bitcoin leading the way. While allocations remain conservative, the improving sentiment, combined with record ETF inflows and a more supportive regulatory environment, suggests a sustained shift in institutional strategy toward crypto.
FAQs
Q1: What did the CoinShares survey find about institutional crypto allocations?
A1: The survey found that institutional investors are gradually increasing crypto exposure, with Bitcoin leading allocation preferences. Allocations remain modest at around 1% of AUM, but sentiment is improving.
Q2: Which digital assets are institutions most interested in?
A2: Bitcoin has the strongest growth outlook, followed by Ether and Solana. The survey also noted a shift away from legacy altcoins toward newer DeFi protocols and emerging blockchain sectors.
Q3: What are the main barriers to institutional crypto adoption?
A3: Internal restrictions and regulatory uncertainty remain the primary barriers. However, the launch of spot Bitcoin ETFs and a more favorable regulatory backdrop are helping to reduce these obstacles.
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