Maurice Mureau (Hodl Group): Tokenisation and AI will be the main growth drivers towards 2026

Maurice Mureau (Hodl Group): Tokenisation and AI will be the main growth drivers towards 2026

February 2, 2026

Crypto

This text was originally written in Dutch. This is an English translation.

By Esther Waal

The crypto market is rapidly becoming more professional. Following Bitcoin ETFs in 2024, 2025 will bring further regulation and institutional entry. MiCA will create a harmonised supervisory framework, while tokenisation of real-world assets will bring digital and traditional markets closer together. At the same time, questions remain about applications, strategy and positioning within multi-asset portfolios. Reason enough for Financial Investigator to ask Maurice Mureau, CEO of Hodl Group, a number of questions.

Which trends within the crypto market do you currently see as most promising for 2026?

‘Within the crypto market, we see tokenisation and the integration of artificial intelligence as the most important growth drivers towards 2026.

Tokenisation makes it possible to convert traditional assets, such as shares, bonds or real estate, into digital tokens on the blockchain. This creates 24/7 tradability, direct transfer of ownership and significantly lower transaction costs. Major financial institutions, including BlackRock, are now building their own infrastructure for this market, which, according to recent estimates, could grow to over £16 trillion in the next five years.

In addition, we are seeing AI and blockchain reinforce each other: AI provides data processing and efficiency, while blockchain adds transparency and decentralisation. This breaks the monopoly of a few large technology companies and provides insight into what algorithms do and why. This creates a fairer, more open and more controllable ecosystem.’

Crypto experiences cyclical movements of exuberance and correction. How do you build a strategy that can withstand this volatility?

‘A robust strategy responds to the different phases of the cycle. The core will therefore quickly consist of a large position in bitcoin, while in risk-on periods, a small selection of altcoins can be chosen. However, you always maintain exposure in the market and, of course, you have to find the right moments to switch between these assets.

For investors who want to limit volatility completely, delta-neutral and market-neutral strategies offer a solution. By hedging directional risks with derivatives, these strategies can generate stable returns, often between 10% and 25% per year. However, such strategies require professional execution, making collaboration with an experienced fund manager essential.’

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