ether.fi CEO: New Crypto Banks Will Drive Ethereum Growth in 2026

PANews, January 4th – According to CoinDesk, Mike Silagadze, CEO and co-founder of ether.fi, shared his outlook for 2026, stating that the next phase of Ethereum will be led by financial products familiar to ordinary users, rather than speculation. He regards 2025 as a turning point for Ethereum, marked by the entry of a large number of institutions. Although staking within ETFs remains restricted, other institutional tools such as Digital Asset Treasury companies (DATs) are progressing more rapidly. He revealed that many institutions have already started deploying on ether.fi, referring to these early adopters as “pioneers at the technological frontier,” and added that DATs have played a positive role in driving Ethereum’s price.

Silagadze is full of anticipation for 2026, believing that Ethereum’s financial ecosystem will continue to mature. He pointed out that the crypto digital banking movement is booming, with numerous companies flocking to the sector. In his view, digital banking is one of the clear paths driving Ethereum’s continued adoption, especially as stablecoins become increasingly integrated into global finance. Compared to ETFs, these platforms allow users to participate more directly in on-chain activities and earn yields. Finally, he emphasized that whether Ethereum will succeed in 2026 depends on its ability to deliver practical utility at scale.