Analysis: Crypto-Native Neobanks Could Emerge as the Key Driver of Ethereum's Growth and Adoption in 2026
BlockBeats News, January 5th, as Ethereum enters a key phase in institutional adoption through the Digital Asset Treasury (DAT) in 2025, the market focus is shifting to a new 2026 adoption driver—a crypto-native neobank. ether.fi CEO Mike Silagadze said Ethereum's next phase of expansion will be driven by usable financial products rather than a speculative trading cycle.
Analysis suggests that these neobanks will combine self-custody, high-yield stablecoin products, and a traditional mobile banking experience to provide an entry point for a wide range of users concerned about DeFi complexity but seeking higher returns than traditional savings. By abstracting Gas fees, private keys, and cross-L2 operation details, neobanks are becoming a key bridge for Ethereum's mainstream adoption.
Simultaneously, institutional staking and liquidity mining form the underlying support. The emergence of DAT in 2025 allows enterprises to earn staking rewards while holding Ethereum, serving as a more flexible allocation tool beyond spot ETFs. The market expects that in the first quarter of 2026, institutional treasuries and retail-facing neobanks will synergize, offering users 4%–5% on-chain returns, propelling Ethereum from a "speculative application" to everyday financial infrastructure.
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