Institutional Crypto Trading Hits Record 72% as Pro Capital Dominates Market

Institutional cryptocurrency trading reached a record high in the first half of 2026, with professional participants accounting for about 72% of spot volume on Wintermute's over-the-counter (OTC) desk.

This marks a significant shift from the second half of 2025, when institutional clients accounted for about 61% of spot volume. The increased presence of institutional capital has reduced volatility and concentrated liquidity around major assets.

The influx of professional investors has also led to a decrease in broad altcoin rallies, as these players tend to focus on a smaller set of tokens with sufficient market depth and liquidity.