Analysis: Crypto-native neobanks may become the core engine for Ethereum’s growth and adoption by 2026

BlockBeats News, January 5th — As Ethereum completes a key phase in 2025 with institutional funds entering through the "Digital Asset Treasury (DAT)", the market focus is shifting to a new adoption driver in 2026—crypto-native neobanks. ether.fi CEO Mike Silagadze stated that the next phase of Ethereum's expansion will be driven by available financial products rather than speculative trading cycles.

Analysis suggests that these new banks will combine self-custody, high-yield stablecoin products, and traditional mobile banking experiences, providing an entry point for a broad user base who are wary of DeFi complexity but seek returns higher than traditional savings. By shielding users from gas fees, private keys, and cross-L2 operational details, these neobanks are becoming a key bridge for Ethereum's mainstream adoption.

At the same time, institutional staking and liquid staking form the underlying support. The DAT, which will rise in 2025, allows enterprises to earn staking yields while holding Ethereum, becoming a more flexible allocation tool beyond spot ETFs. The market expects that in Q1 2026, institutional treasuries and retail-facing neobanks will create a synergistic effect, offering users 4%–5% on-chain yields and driving Ethereum from a "speculative application" towards becoming daily financial infrastructure.