Grayscale Expands Altcoin Review List, Highlights AI and Infrastructure Sectors

Grayscale has released its Q1 2026 'Assets Under Consideration' list, which includes 36 altcoins being evaluated for potential investment products. The list expands from the 32 assets reviewed in Q4 2025, with the new additions emphasizing themes like tokenization, DePIN, and AI according to the watchlist.

The firm has filed statutory trusts for BNB and Hyperliquid (HYPE) ETFs with the Delaware Division of Corporations, marking a procedural step toward potential ETF launches. This move indicates Grayscale is already acting on some of the assets under review.

New additions include Tron (TRX) in the smart contracts category, ARIA Protocol in the consumer and culture category, and DoubleZero (2Z) in the utilities and services category. These selections highlight Grayscale's interest in decentralized infrastructure and intellectual property tokenization.

Why Did This Happen?

Grayscale organizes its watchlist into five categories: Smart Contract Platforms, Financials, Consumer & Culture, Artificial Intelligence, and Utilities & Services. The AI category gained Nous Research and Poseidon, while Prime Intellect was removed according to the Q1 2026 list.

DoubleZero, a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN), provides low-latency network infrastructure for blockchains. Its addition to the list reflects a broader trend of interest in infrastructure solutions that support decentralized systems.

The firm's focus on tokenization is evident with the inclusion of ARIA Protocol, which tokenizes intellectual property rights. This move aligns with broader trends in digital asset innovation and intellectual property management.

What Are Analysts Watching Next?

Being on the 'Assets Under Consideration' list does not guarantee a product launch. Grayscale will make final decisions based on custody solutions, regulations, and internal reviews according to the report.

Despite these conditions, the BNB and HYPE trust filings show Grayscale is taking early steps toward launching products for these tokens. This indicates a proactive approach to expanding its investment offerings.

The list includes a diverse range of altcoins from smart contract platforms, financials, and utilities. Smart contract platforms and financials have the highest number of assets under review, signaling Grayscale's continued interest in foundational blockchain infrastructure.

What This Means for Investors

Crypto allocations by financial advisors hit an all-time high in 2025, according to a Bitwise/VettaFi survey. Nearly one-third of advisors allocated to crypto for client accounts, and more are investing in crypto in their personal portfolios.

The survey highlights growing interest in stablecoins, tokenization, and 'digital gold' or fiat debasement. These themes are gaining traction among advisors seeking to integrate crypto into their investment strategies.

For Grayscale's potential investors, the watchlist provides insights into the firm's strategic priorities. The focus on tokenization and infrastructure suggests Grayscale is positioning itself to capture emerging trends in the crypto market.