The Global Blockchain Show kicks off with a striking mix of candor and conviction as industry leaders lay out what 2026 could look like for the crypto industry. This year’s discussions showed a market transitioning into its institutional phase, far from the speculative noise that dominated previous cycles. Here, we measure risk, deliberate infrastructure, and prioritize long-term vision over hype.
One of the most anticipated sessions brought together Nenter Chow, Global CEO of BitMart, and Laura Estefania of Conquista, who delivered a rare, unfiltered look at how the next two years may unfold. For them, the conversation wasn’t about predicting price charts; it was about understanding behavior, liquidity patterns, and the shifting incentives of large investors.
Chow observed that the era of excessive volatility is diminishing. As he put it, the market is now moving toward intentional volatility, driven by institutional flows rather than retail emotion. He highlighted that traditional finance players are no longer experimenting on the sidelines; they’re actively architecting the rails that may define the next decade of digital assets. “By 2026,” he remarked, “crypto will be less of an outsider asset and more of a built-in part of global capital markets.”
Laura Estefania expanded on this point, stressing that institutions are beginning to seek clarity, not just exposure. Compliance frameworks, liquidity assurances, tokenization models, and risk-managed trading structures are now shaping strategic decisions. For her, the industry is entering a chapter where infrastructure matters more than narratives. “We’re seeing the crypto market grow up,” she said. “2026 will reward design, not speculation.”
Global Blockchain Show Panel 2 Delivers Futuristic Insights
If the first panel offered a forward-looking blueprint, the next major discussion, titled “Thriving Through Turmoil,” delivered a grounded resilience strategy drawn from real-world battle scars. The session gathered some of the industry’s most experienced operators: Stephan Lutz (CEO, BitMEX), Reeve Collins (co-founder, Tether & STBL), and Sami Waittinen (CMO, Trust Wallet).
Together, they unpack what it means to not just survive a bear market but to emerge stronger from it.
Lutz spoke about disciplined risk management and how exchanges must prioritize transparency and operational resilience, especially as regulatory scrutiny increases. “Bear markets create clarity,” he said. “They expose flaws, but they also reveal the teams built to last.”
Reeve Collins built on this perspective, noting that stability is the new competitive edge. He explained how cryptocurrency is changing from a frontier asset to a worldwide utility due to the development of stable assets, tokenized liquidity, and trustworthy market structures. His message was straightforward: fundamentals become the most powerful differentiator during times of distress.
The user perspective was highlighted by Sami Waittinen, who emphasized that trust is the real money in times of recession. As self-custody adoption grows and users become more informed, platforms must communicate openly and deliver genuine security. “People remember how you treat them during a bear market,” he stated.
Day 1 closed on a collective sentiment: the future won’t be shaped by luck; it will be shaped by resilience, institutional clarity, and the builders who continue innovating no matter the market cycle.
Global Blockchain Show brings Tech, AI, and Blockchain Together
This year’s Global Blockchain Show 2025 successfully brought together the best professionals from the Web3 and blockchain fields for enthralling interactions, practical sessions, and fruitful networking. The event that has become a springboard for revolutionary ideas not only discussed the issues of tokenization and DeFi but also of Web3 gaming, AI-blockchain merging, and enterprise adoption.
In addition to that, the gathering provided an area where decision-makers, new enterprises, investors, and entrepreneurs could meet, exchange, and create opportunities thus the UAE’s reputation as a hot spot for blockchain innovation was strengthened.
