In this special 2026 predictions episode, host Alex is joined by Stefan (Zühlke) and Maximilian Vargas (Blockstories) for a forward-looking discussion based on Blockstories’ new report: “25 Predictions from 25 Digital Asset Experts”.

Instead of presenting their own forecasts, the trio picks standout expert takes across five key themes—tokenization, digital money, regulation, markets & investments, and infrastructure—and pressure-tests them from a pragmatic, institution-first perspective.

A central debate: tokenized deposits vs. stablecoins. Stefan challenges the idea that tokenized deposits will “go through the roof” in 2026, arguing that market pull may favor stablecoins, yield-bearing stablecoins, and tokenized money market funds, especially in a world increasingly obsessed with yield. Max adds a crucial banking reality check: many banks still view stablecoin enablement as partly defensive—driven by corporate treasurers expecting 24/7 money movement—while tokenized deposits feel more compatible with existing models (and balance sheet logic). Alex highlights the strategic dilemma: banks may need to integrate stablecoins even though doing so could accelerate deposit flight.

The conversation broadens into the “unbundling vs. rebundling” of financial services—particularly how stablecoins and on-chain products could fragment banking value chains, and whether banks can reclaim the “orchestrator” role across rails (stablecoins, tokenized deposits, CBDCs, e-money) while keeping client ownership.

A major DeFi thread emerges around on-chain vaults: smart-contract-based “depots” that package strategies and yield. The guests explore why vaults could become a breakout distribution mechanism for stablecoins—and potentially a disruptive force for traditional asset management as “vault curation” grows into a new layer of financial intermediation.

Other highlighted themes include the rise of tokenized equities (with a narrative flip: liquid assets may tokenize before illiquid ones), the push toward core infrastructure integration inside institutions (production > experimentation), and why privacy could shift from “nice-to-have” to “institutional requirement”—even if scalability trade-offs remain unresolved.

The episode closes with a lively macro riff: is the classic four-year crypto cycle ending, and will institutional allocators (even Ivy League endowments) meaningfully increase crypto exposure by end-2026? As always: not investment advice—just a sharp, insider-grade map of what might shape the next phase of digital finance.

Blockstories Expert Outlooks

LinkedIn Maximilia Vargas

LinkedIn Stefan Grasmann

LinkedIn Alexander Bechtel

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