Goldman Sachs Cautiously Optimistic on Crypto Market in H2, Suggests COIN & HOOD

Wall Street giant Goldman Sachs has turned cautiously optimistic on the crypto market for the second half of 2026, despite lower trading volumes. The Wall Street giant has also increased its crypto ETF positions and recommends buying crypto stocks such as Coinbase Global (COIN) and Robinhood Markets (HOOD).

Goldman Sachs Bullish on Crypto Market

The Wall Street giant in its latest Americas Brokerage and Crypto Industry research revealed that crypto trading volumes declined 30% in July and another 21% in August. This is longer than the previous five cycles.

While overall crypto market trading volumes plunged roughly 75% from the peak, the crypto market cap rebounded about 21% to $2.8 trillion over the past week. Goldman Sachs analysts noted that volumes could rebound if market cap holds near current levels.

The report claimed 35% of institutional investors view regulatory uncertainty as the top barrier, while 32% view regulatory clarity as the primary catalyst for crypto adoption.

Positive developments include recent SEC innovation exemptions, crypto companies securing OCC national bank charters, and crypto infrastructure services to TradFi. Notably, the SEC is pushing crypto regulations amid delays in the CLARITY Act.