Grayscale Expands 'Assets Under Consideration' List With 36 Altcoins for Q1 2026

Grayscale has expanded its 'Assets Under Consideration' list for the first quarter of 2026, introducing 36 altcoins for potential inclusion in future investment products. This update is part of the firm's quarterly review process, which identifies digital assets that may be considered for inclusion in its offerings. The addition of these tokens signals a continued evaluation of the broader crypto market's diversification.

The new list spans five sectors: Smart Contract Platforms, Financials, Consumer & Culture, Artificial Intelligence, and Utilities & Services. Smart contract and financial sectors dominate the additions, showing a continued emphasis on blockchain infrastructure and decentralized finance (DeFi) assets. The firm added Tron (TRX) to the smart contract category and the ARIA Protocol (ARIAIP) to the consumer and culture segment according to the latest update.

Grayscale also updated its Artificial Intelligence section with Nous Research and Poseidon, while removing Prime Intellect. The utilities and services category gained DoubleZero (2Z), a DePIN platform focused on decentralized network infrastructure. These changes highlight a growing interest in tokenization and infrastructure-based assets within the crypto space.

What Sectors Are Gaining Attention?

The firm's decision to include ARIAIP and Tron suggests a broader strategy to incorporate tokens that are aligning with emerging trends such as intellectual property tokenization and cross-chain compatibility. ARIAIP allows creators and investors to tokenize and trade intellectual property rights on-chain, a concept that has gained traction in 2025. Tron, a well-established smart contract platform, has seen a resurgence in activity as developers shift toward lower-cost blockchain ecosystems.

Smart contract platforms and financials remain central to Grayscale's interest, with both categories contributing the most to the updated list. This is consistent with the firm's historical focus on foundational blockchain infrastructure and decentralized financial tools. The inclusion of these assets may indicate Grayscale is preparing for a broader adoption of DeFi and chain-agnostic financial systems.

What Is Grayscale's Strategic Vision?

The latest additions align with Grayscale's broader efforts to diversify its crypto offerings and position itself as a key player in emerging digital asset classes. The firm has also moved forward with registering statutory trusts for BNB and HYPE ETFs, signaling early steps toward launching these products. While not guaranteed, these moves indicate the firm is preparing for a regulatory environment that may increasingly support diversified crypto ETFs.

Grayscale's focus on tokenization, DePIN, and AI-driven digital assets reflects a strategic pivot toward areas that have seen significant growth in 2025. This includes tokenized IP and decentralized infrastructure, which are now being integrated into traditional financial investment strategies. The firm's recent regulatory filings and product development efforts suggest it is responding to market demand and investor sentiment.

What Are Analysts Watching Next?

Analysts are paying close attention to whether these new assets will be included in Grayscale's future products and how they perform in the broader market. The firm has previously used its 'Assets Under Consideration' list to signal potential product launches, and these updates could foreshadow new investment vehicles in the first half of 2026. Given the firm's influence in the crypto space, any new product additions may impact market adoption and investor strategy.

The inclusion of DePIN and AI-related tokens also aligns with broader macroeconomic and technological trends. As decentralized infrastructure gains traction and AI becomes more integrated with blockchain, firms like Grayscale are positioning themselves to offer products that capture these themes. The market will be watching for regulatory clarity and investor demand to determine the success of these initiatives.