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After the Crypto Correction: WhiteBIT CEO Explains What's Coming in 2026

MarketDash Editorial Team
2 days ago
Volodymyr Nosov, founder of W Group and CEO of WhiteBIT, discusses recovery timelines, tokenization trends, institutional adoption, and the company's ambitious plans including Saudi Arabia's $2.7 trillion stock market tokenization project and CBDC infrastructure development.

From local startup to global fintech player in seven years is a pretty good run. WhiteBIT recently introduced W Group, a global fintech ecosystem that includes its own blockchain, crypto processing, fintech projects in Georgia, a gaming marketplace, and media initiatives. It's the kind of expansion that suggests someone has big plans.

After a year of strategic partnerships and new product launches in 2025, the company is setting its sights even higher for 2026. We're talking about tokenizing Saudi Arabia's stock market, implementing CBDC infrastructure, and developing real-world asset segments. Those aren't small ambitions.

To understand where crypto is headed after the autumn correction, what challenges lie ahead, and how WhiteBIT fits into the global tech landscape, we spoke with Volodymyr Nosov, Founder and President of W Group and CEO of WhiteBIT.

What's Coming for Crypto in 2026

When asked about market trends for 2026, Nosov paints a picture of increasing institutional maturity. Over 70% of major jurisdictions have already made substantial progress in creating clear rules for digital assets, including stablecoins. This regulatory clarity creates new opportunities for traditional financial institutions and builds bridges between Web2 and Web3 worlds.

"In 2026, we will see even greater regulatory clarity," Nosov explains. "This creates new opportunities for traditional financial institutions and bridges between Web2 and Web3. Blockchain technologies will continue to find applications across diverse sectors."

The year will also bring intensified institutional participation. Most major investors have already invested in crypto ETFs, but new investment instruments will emerge alongside more opportunities for portfolio diversification.

The real-world asset market will continue its rapid development, with tokenization tools becoming increasingly accessible to investors with various capital levels. Security and privacy remain top priorities, with blockchain enabling new solutions for protecting data and financial transactions.

Nosov expects cryptocurrencies to become even more embedded in the global economy in 2026. "Regulatory progress, institutional capital inflows, and ongoing blockchain innovation will all support crypto mass adoption," he says. "The number of users interacting with crypto products will continue to grow."

Understanding the Autumn Correction

The autumn downturn wasn't a crisis, according to Nosov. It was part of a normal market cycle. Several factors converged to create the correction.

First, institutional interest declined temporarily. Large players executed their tactical strategies following strong growth in early 2025, which naturally resulted in a correction. The global macroeconomic slowdown played its part too. Investments in tech companies decreased, major indexes fell, and gold prices dropped as investors adopted a more cautious approach.

Then came the washout of excess leverage. Mass liquidations reduced liquidity, and less experienced participants left the market, amplifying the correction. It's the kind of market housecleaning that looks scary in real time but can be healthy in retrospect.

"It's also important to remember that the crypto industry is still undergoing regulatory alignment," Nosov notes. "Many institutional investors are waiting for clearer frameworks, such as MiCA in the EU, which slows down activity."

The bottom line? These corrections are a healthy mechanism that helps redistribute capital and prepare the market for its next phase of growth.

When Will Recovery Arrive?

The good news is that today's crypto market is far more resilient than it was several years ago. The autumn correction was a temporary fluctuation, not an existential crisis. Though the industry remains young and volatile, and crypto is still among the highest-risk asset classes.

Nosov expects the correction may last several months, depending mostly on macroeconomic conditions. But he believes the market should return to a bullish trend this year. Regulatory progress and stabilization of institutional capital flows will play key roles in determining recovery speed.

The Tokenization Revolution

When it comes to major trends, Nosov highlights tokenization as a game changer. The RWA market is rapidly expanding into real estate, securities, precious metals, and even collectible items like wines and sports teams. In 2024, the market saw tokenization of treasury bonds and gold-backed tokens.

Major financial institutions like BlackRock, JPMorgan, and Goldman Sachs are already exploring this space. And since the crypto industry today is driven more by large institutional players than by retail users, forecasts for tokenization are extremely ambitious.

"With significant institutional involvement, the market for tokenized assets could grow to $10-15 trillion within the next five years," Nosov predicts. "Institutions will be the primary engine of this growth."

The Saudi Arabia Project

WhiteBIT recently signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia to participate in tokenizing the country's stock market, which is valued at approximately $2.7 trillion. The team will integrate WBT and Whitechain as part of this project.

But that's not all. WhiteBIT will also develop the infrastructure for the country's Central Bank Digital Currency. The broad money supply of the Saudi riyal currently sits around $1 trillion. The CBDC launch will accelerate international settlements, strengthen the riyal's position in oil trade and import operations, and enhance overall economic transparency.

The company will also support Saudi Arabia in developing national data processing centers and cryptocurrency mining. According to forecasts, global investments in data-center infrastructure may reach $2 trillion by 2030, and Saudi Arabia plans to be one of the central hubs of this transformation.

Challenges Ahead for Crypto

The crypto market's relative youth means its challenges remain significant. Security sits at the top of the list.

Hacker attacks and cybercrime require continuous advancements in technologies that safeguard user funds and data. One reason many attacks succeed is the presence of vulnerabilities in software developed by outsourced teams. Many players, including WhiteBIT, invest heavily in their IT teams and grow in-house expertise, because a strong team is the foundation of stability and security.

Blockchain companies increasingly face a talent shortage. There's a global deficit of qualified blockchain specialists.

Environmental concerns related to the energy consumption of Proof-of-Work mining remain an ongoing issue. In 2026, pressure on crypto projects to adopt more energy-efficient consensus models will likely intensify, potentially accompanied by regulatory measures.

Volatility presents another constant challenge. Sudden macroeconomic shifts and other factors can cause large price swings, which discourage investors.

Finally, education and public trust remain crucial. For digital assets to become a mainstream financial instrument, it's essential to strengthen public understanding and build trust through education.

Looking Back at 2025

Nosov describes 2025 as an extremely productive year for the team. They achieved many ambitious business goals, including product development, business growth, new markets, and partnerships. The company signed a partnership with Juventus FC and held the world's first live-broadcast crypto trading tournament, ICTC.

The expansion included several markets: Australia, Kazakhstan, Argentina, and Brazil. But the key milestone was the United States. "We aim to create new jobs here and strengthen the U.S. market with our tech expertise and blockchain solutions," Nosov says.

Product development brought notable achievements too. The WhiteBIT Nova card, launched in partnership with VISA, completed its first year on the market. To date, the card has processed over $50 million in transactions.

As for WBT, it reached a new all-time high of $64 during the year and remained among the top-performing coins even during the bear market. Its value has grown more than 32 times since launch. Another important milestone was the addition of WBT to five S&P Dow Jones crypto indices, which demonstrates its liquidity, transparency, and high trading volume standards.

The Crypto Card Revolution

Based on data from the WhiteBIT Nova card, Nosov sees strong demand and significant potential. The average monthly spend per card is around €750, mainly on everyday needs. Users pay with crypto for food, transport, and subscriptions. Groceries account for 21% of transactions, cafés for about 19%, and subscriptions for around 15%.

This shows that crypto is increasingly integrated into daily life, as more people choose digital assets for routine expenses. The trend is visible across Europe, but the highest activity comes from users in Italy, Spain, Ireland, Poland, and the Netherlands. Notably, only 19% of WhiteBIT Nova users request a physical plastic card. The majority prefer the virtual card.

Crypto cards are becoming mainstream worldwide. Attractive cashback, lower international fees, and enhanced security through blockchain all attract new audiences. Many banks are now integrating crypto functionality into their standard cards. Cards will remain "bank cards" formally, but will gain direct access to users' crypto wallets.

Building the W Group Ecosystem

Over the past seven years, WhiteBIT has grown into the global ecosystem of W Group, which today has 35 million clients. The group consists of eight companies creating financial and media products.

Beyond the exchange, they offer crypto processing services via Whitepay, solutions on their proprietary blockchain Whitechain, an innovative P2P marketplace for CS:GO skins called white.market, and fintech products in Georgia through Hash Bank and Payunicard.

Their media projects include the ByHi YouTube show and the Coinomist digital platform, which help audiences better understand the world of digital assets.

Plans for 2026

The company has ambitious plans for the coming year. First, they will continue to strengthen existing markets and expand into new ones. In the United States, the goal is to scale across all states, broaden the product line, become one of the industry leaders, and enhance the market with their technology and blockchain expertise. They also plan to start attracting investments in the U.S.

In Europe, the company is in the process of obtaining MiCA authorization. Plans include growing the user base, expanding activity across EU countries, and launching new solutions. The product line will grow significantly thanks to tokenization projects and additional services.

"We look to the new year with ambitions to scale our ecosystem, launch more innovative projects, and help set the pace for global industry development," Nosov concludes.

After a correction that rattled some nerves, WhiteBIT's leadership sees 2026 as a year of opportunity. With clearer regulations, growing institutional participation, and ambitious projects from Saudi Arabia to the United States, the company is betting that crypto's next chapter will be its most mainstream yet.

Back to Stock Market News

After the Crypto Correction: WhiteBIT CEO Explains What's Coming in 2026

MarketDash Editorial Team
2 days ago
Volodymyr Nosov, founder of W Group and CEO of WhiteBIT, discusses recovery timelines, tokenization trends, institutional adoption, and the company's ambitious plans including Saudi Arabia's $2.7 trillion stock market tokenization project and CBDC infrastructure development.

From local startup to global fintech player in seven years is a pretty good run. WhiteBIT recently introduced W Group, a global fintech ecosystem that includes its own blockchain, crypto processing, fintech projects in Georgia, a gaming marketplace, and media initiatives. It's the kind of expansion that suggests someone has big plans.

After a year of strategic partnerships and new product launches in 2025, the company is setting its sights even higher for 2026. We're talking about tokenizing Saudi Arabia's stock market, implementing CBDC infrastructure, and developing real-world asset segments. Those aren't small ambitions.

To understand where crypto is headed after the autumn correction, what challenges lie ahead, and how WhiteBIT fits into the global tech landscape, we spoke with Volodymyr Nosov, Founder and President of W Group and CEO of WhiteBIT.

What's Coming for Crypto in 2026

When asked about market trends for 2026, Nosov paints a picture of increasing institutional maturity. Over 70% of major jurisdictions have already made substantial progress in creating clear rules for digital assets, including stablecoins. This regulatory clarity creates new opportunities for traditional financial institutions and builds bridges between Web2 and Web3 worlds.

"In 2026, we will see even greater regulatory clarity," Nosov explains. "This creates new opportunities for traditional financial institutions and bridges between Web2 and Web3. Blockchain technologies will continue to find applications across diverse sectors."

The year will also bring intensified institutional participation. Most major investors have already invested in crypto ETFs, but new investment instruments will emerge alongside more opportunities for portfolio diversification.

The real-world asset market will continue its rapid development, with tokenization tools becoming increasingly accessible to investors with various capital levels. Security and privacy remain top priorities, with blockchain enabling new solutions for protecting data and financial transactions.

Nosov expects cryptocurrencies to become even more embedded in the global economy in 2026. "Regulatory progress, institutional capital inflows, and ongoing blockchain innovation will all support crypto mass adoption," he says. "The number of users interacting with crypto products will continue to grow."

Understanding the Autumn Correction

The autumn downturn wasn't a crisis, according to Nosov. It was part of a normal market cycle. Several factors converged to create the correction.

First, institutional interest declined temporarily. Large players executed their tactical strategies following strong growth in early 2025, which naturally resulted in a correction. The global macroeconomic slowdown played its part too. Investments in tech companies decreased, major indexes fell, and gold prices dropped as investors adopted a more cautious approach.

Then came the washout of excess leverage. Mass liquidations reduced liquidity, and less experienced participants left the market, amplifying the correction. It's the kind of market housecleaning that looks scary in real time but can be healthy in retrospect.

"It's also important to remember that the crypto industry is still undergoing regulatory alignment," Nosov notes. "Many institutional investors are waiting for clearer frameworks, such as MiCA in the EU, which slows down activity."

The bottom line? These corrections are a healthy mechanism that helps redistribute capital and prepare the market for its next phase of growth.

When Will Recovery Arrive?

The good news is that today's crypto market is far more resilient than it was several years ago. The autumn correction was a temporary fluctuation, not an existential crisis. Though the industry remains young and volatile, and crypto is still among the highest-risk asset classes.

Nosov expects the correction may last several months, depending mostly on macroeconomic conditions. But he believes the market should return to a bullish trend this year. Regulatory progress and stabilization of institutional capital flows will play key roles in determining recovery speed.

The Tokenization Revolution

When it comes to major trends, Nosov highlights tokenization as a game changer. The RWA market is rapidly expanding into real estate, securities, precious metals, and even collectible items like wines and sports teams. In 2024, the market saw tokenization of treasury bonds and gold-backed tokens.

Major financial institutions like BlackRock, JPMorgan, and Goldman Sachs are already exploring this space. And since the crypto industry today is driven more by large institutional players than by retail users, forecasts for tokenization are extremely ambitious.

"With significant institutional involvement, the market for tokenized assets could grow to $10-15 trillion within the next five years," Nosov predicts. "Institutions will be the primary engine of this growth."

The Saudi Arabia Project

WhiteBIT recently signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia to participate in tokenizing the country's stock market, which is valued at approximately $2.7 trillion. The team will integrate WBT and Whitechain as part of this project.

But that's not all. WhiteBIT will also develop the infrastructure for the country's Central Bank Digital Currency. The broad money supply of the Saudi riyal currently sits around $1 trillion. The CBDC launch will accelerate international settlements, strengthen the riyal's position in oil trade and import operations, and enhance overall economic transparency.

The company will also support Saudi Arabia in developing national data processing centers and cryptocurrency mining. According to forecasts, global investments in data-center infrastructure may reach $2 trillion by 2030, and Saudi Arabia plans to be one of the central hubs of this transformation.

Challenges Ahead for Crypto

The crypto market's relative youth means its challenges remain significant. Security sits at the top of the list.

Hacker attacks and cybercrime require continuous advancements in technologies that safeguard user funds and data. One reason many attacks succeed is the presence of vulnerabilities in software developed by outsourced teams. Many players, including WhiteBIT, invest heavily in their IT teams and grow in-house expertise, because a strong team is the foundation of stability and security.

Blockchain companies increasingly face a talent shortage. There's a global deficit of qualified blockchain specialists.

Environmental concerns related to the energy consumption of Proof-of-Work mining remain an ongoing issue. In 2026, pressure on crypto projects to adopt more energy-efficient consensus models will likely intensify, potentially accompanied by regulatory measures.

Volatility presents another constant challenge. Sudden macroeconomic shifts and other factors can cause large price swings, which discourage investors.

Finally, education and public trust remain crucial. For digital assets to become a mainstream financial instrument, it's essential to strengthen public understanding and build trust through education.

Looking Back at 2025

Nosov describes 2025 as an extremely productive year for the team. They achieved many ambitious business goals, including product development, business growth, new markets, and partnerships. The company signed a partnership with Juventus FC and held the world's first live-broadcast crypto trading tournament, ICTC.

The expansion included several markets: Australia, Kazakhstan, Argentina, and Brazil. But the key milestone was the United States. "We aim to create new jobs here and strengthen the U.S. market with our tech expertise and blockchain solutions," Nosov says.

Product development brought notable achievements too. The WhiteBIT Nova card, launched in partnership with VISA, completed its first year on the market. To date, the card has processed over $50 million in transactions.

As for WBT, it reached a new all-time high of $64 during the year and remained among the top-performing coins even during the bear market. Its value has grown more than 32 times since launch. Another important milestone was the addition of WBT to five S&P Dow Jones crypto indices, which demonstrates its liquidity, transparency, and high trading volume standards.

The Crypto Card Revolution

Based on data from the WhiteBIT Nova card, Nosov sees strong demand and significant potential. The average monthly spend per card is around €750, mainly on everyday needs. Users pay with crypto for food, transport, and subscriptions. Groceries account for 21% of transactions, cafés for about 19%, and subscriptions for around 15%.

This shows that crypto is increasingly integrated into daily life, as more people choose digital assets for routine expenses. The trend is visible across Europe, but the highest activity comes from users in Italy, Spain, Ireland, Poland, and the Netherlands. Notably, only 19% of WhiteBIT Nova users request a physical plastic card. The majority prefer the virtual card.

Crypto cards are becoming mainstream worldwide. Attractive cashback, lower international fees, and enhanced security through blockchain all attract new audiences. Many banks are now integrating crypto functionality into their standard cards. Cards will remain "bank cards" formally, but will gain direct access to users' crypto wallets.

Building the W Group Ecosystem

Over the past seven years, WhiteBIT has grown into the global ecosystem of W Group, which today has 35 million clients. The group consists of eight companies creating financial and media products.

Beyond the exchange, they offer crypto processing services via Whitepay, solutions on their proprietary blockchain Whitechain, an innovative P2P marketplace for CS:GO skins called white.market, and fintech products in Georgia through Hash Bank and Payunicard.

Their media projects include the ByHi YouTube show and the Coinomist digital platform, which help audiences better understand the world of digital assets.

Plans for 2026

The company has ambitious plans for the coming year. First, they will continue to strengthen existing markets and expand into new ones. In the United States, the goal is to scale across all states, broaden the product line, become one of the industry leaders, and enhance the market with their technology and blockchain expertise. They also plan to start attracting investments in the U.S.

In Europe, the company is in the process of obtaining MiCA authorization. Plans include growing the user base, expanding activity across EU countries, and launching new solutions. The product line will grow significantly thanks to tokenization projects and additional services.

"We look to the new year with ambitions to scale our ecosystem, launch more innovative projects, and help set the pace for global industry development," Nosov concludes.

After a correction that rattled some nerves, WhiteBIT's leadership sees 2026 as a year of opportunity. With clearer regulations, growing institutional participation, and ambitious projects from Saudi Arabia to the United States, the company is betting that crypto's next chapter will be its most mainstream yet.