BTC, SOL and HYPE Treasury Execs Forecast M&A, Diversification and More Institutional Adoption in 2026

iPower Inc. (Nasdaq: IPW) has completed its first digital asset treasury purchases under its Digital Asset Treasury (DAT) strategy, acquiring 15.1 Bitcoin (BTC) and 301.1 Ethereum (ETH) for a total of $2.21 million. These purchases were executed through a BitGo subsidiary account according to the company announcement.

The company aims to build a disciplined approach to digital asset exposure while maintaining control and custody arrangements. iPower stated that future purchases depend on market conditions and capital availability according to the company's statement.

However, the market reacted negatively, with iPower's stock dropping 18% following the announcement. Analysts speculate that investors may be skeptical about the company's new direction into digital assets, which diverges from its core e-commerce operations according to market analysis.

Why Did iPower Enter the Digital Asset Space?

iPower views the initial purchases as a milestone in its broader crypto strategy. The company aims to integrate digital assets into its long-term financial planning, leveraging defined custody arrangements and risk management frameworks according to the company's outlook.

This move aligns with broader industry trends of corporations allocating capital to digital assets. For example, Texas has already begun investing in BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF, with plans to add more in 2026 according to financial reports.

How Did Markets React to iPower's Move?

Investor sentiment turned sharply against iPower after the announcement, with shares falling 18%. This reaction highlights the skepticism surrounding corporate moves into crypto without clear strategic justification according to market analysis.

Some investors see digital assets as a high-risk endeavor, particularly for companies with no prior exposure to the sector. iPower's core operations remain in e-commerce, making its entry into crypto a strategic shift according to financial analysis.

What Are Analysts Watching for in 2026?

Regulatory developments are a key focus for 2026. The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, which passed the House in July 2025, is expected to be debated in the Senate in early 2026. If passed, it will clarify the roles of the SEC and CFTC in regulating digital assets according to industry reports.

The new CFTC Chair, Michael Selig, has signaled support for expanding institutional access to crypto through derivatives and ETFs. This could enable more structured products for institutional investors according to financial analysis.

In addition, the SEC's Project Crypto initiative aims to develop a clearer token taxonomy, helping firms understand which assets fall under securities laws. This could reduce compliance uncertainty and encourage broader adoption according to regulatory filings.

ETFs and stablecoins are also expected to drive adoption. Coinbase's David Duong forecasts that ETFs, tokenized assets, and stablecoins will jointly accelerate institutional entry into crypto in 2026 according to market forecasts.

Legislation like the GENIUS Act in the U.S. and MiCA in Europe is providing clearer frameworks for stablecoin use in payments and settlements. This regulatory clarity is enabling firms to integrate crypto into traditional financial workflows according to industry analysis.

Corporate treasuries are also expanding their exposure to digital assets. For instance, Texas plans to invest directly in Bitcoin in 2026, building on its existing ETF holdings according to financial reports.

The market is now watching whether these trends lead to broader adoption. With more clarity and infrastructure in place, 2026 could represent a tipping point for crypto in the institutional space according to financial analysis.

iPower's DAT strategy may be an early sign of this shift, though the stock's performance suggests that many investors remain cautious about the long-term viability of such strategies.