**2026 Cryptocurrency Market Turning Point: Utility Will Become the True Value Anchor of Tokens**

The pricing mechanism of the cryptocurrency market has always been biased, and this phenomenon has become increasingly evident recently. Industry insiders point out that the market's excessive focus on geopolitical factors has caused unnecessary volatility in risk assets—price fluctuations of digital assets like Bitcoin are often highly correlated with the political environment, but this correlation has been exaggerated. In reality, the crypto sector is not a top priority on current policymakers' agendas, yet market participants are still "paying the price" for it.

Yat Siu, co-founder of Animoca Brands, has a deep understanding of this phenomenon. Siu predicts that 2026 will be the "Year of Practical Tokens," when every token will be required to demonstrate its real-world application. This is not just a market forecast but also reflects a profound shift in the industry from speculation-driven to value-driven.

The new US regulatory framework has laid the foundation for this shift. The current policy's clarity is providing unprecedented legal certainty for the crypto ecosystem, which will promote a move from speculation to practical application. Siu believes that this increased regulatory clarity will inevitably lead market participants to focus on token projects with clear practical value.

Animoca Brands is preparing for this trend. The company plans to go public in the US through a reverse merger with Nasdaq-listed Currenc Group. In this acquisition, Animoca Brands will hold a 95% stake in the combined entity, gaining access to a diversified Web3 and alternative asset investment platform.

This investment portfolio is substantial: Animoca Brands manages investments in over 620 companies, with unaudited order revenues reaching $314 million in fiscal year 2024. These figures fully demonstrate the actual scale and value of the Web3 ecosystem. Siu believes that with improved regulatory environments and increased investor awareness, such diversified Web3 asset allocations will become the mainstream choice in the future.

The rise in regulatory clarity and the emergence of the practical token concept are reshaping the fundamentals of the crypto market. Siu's forecast points to a more mature, more rational market stage—where tokens no longer exist solely because of hype but must have real economic functions and application prospects.