Institutional interest in crypto is holding up despite a steep market downturn, with new data showing many large investors preparing to increase their allocations after the sell-off that began last October. Stablecoins and tokenized real‑world assets are gaining traction across retail and institutional channels, while crypto firms keep tapping traditional capital markets—signs the industry is expanding through regulated pathways even as price volatility and regulatory uncertainty persist.
Institutional investors signal renewed buying
A January survey of 351 investors by Coinbase and EY‑Parthenon found that 73% plan to add to their crypto holdings this year and 74% expect prices to rise over the next 12 months. Bitcoin and Ether remain the main entry points for institutions, but interest in stablecoins and tokenized assets is growing. Two‑thirds of respondents prefer regulated vehicles such as exchange‑traded products, indicating capital is increasingly routed through structured, compliant channels despite recent market stress.
Stablecoins move into regulated retail use in Japan
SBI VC Trade has launched a retail USDC lending service in Japan after regulatory changes allowed licensed firms to handle foreign stablecoins such as Circle’s USDC. The offering lets retail users lend USDC for yield, making it one of Japan’s first regulated retail stablecoin lending products. The rollout highlights how stablecoins are transitioning from pure trading instruments to regulated financial products in jurisdictions that have clarified the legal framework.
Abra pursues Nasdaq listing via SPAC
Crypto wealth manager Abra is seeking a public listing by merging with New Providence Acquisition Corp., valuing the combined company at roughly $750 million and targeting Nasdaq trading under the ticker ABRX. Abra has refocused on wealth management—offering trading, custody and yield products—after regulatory headwinds related to its earlier lending activities. Choosing a SPAC route reflects a faster path to public markets at a time when traditional IPO activity is subdued, and underscores ongoing efforts by crypto firms to access public capital amid uneven regulatory conditions.
Gold‑linked yield stablecoin vault debuts
Tokenization platform Theo launched a $100 million vault for a gold‑linked, yield‑bearing stablecoin that pegs value to gold while offering on‑chain returns. The hybrid model combines commodity backing with decentralized finance mechanisms, providing an alternative to fiat‑backed stablecoins and illustrating continued experimentation with yield products and real‑world asset tokenization.
Together, these developments point to an industry that is diversifying product types and moving capital through regulated channels even as prices and policy remain uncertain. Crypto Biz is your weekly pulse on the business behind blockchain and crypto, delivered every Thursday. Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism; readers are encouraged to verify information independently and consult Cointelegraph’s editorial policy for more detail.