Grayscale Refreshes "Assets Under Consideration" List for Q1 2026

Asset management giant Grayscale has released its updated "Assets Under Consideration" list for the first quarter of 2026, signaling which altcoins the firm is actively evaluating for future investment products. These updates typically occur roughly 15 days after a quarter ends to reflect the evolving crypto landscape.

Key Additions and Strategic Shifts

The Q1 2026 list features 36 digital assets—an increase from the 32 featured in the previous quarter. While inclusion on the list does not guarantee a spot in Grayscale’s product lineup, it highlights the sectors the firm views as high-potential.

The latest update introduced several new names while removing others:

• Smart Contracts: Added Tron (TRX).
• Consumer & Culture: Added ARIA Protocol (ARIAIP), a platform focused on the tokenization of intellectual property.
• Artificial Intelligence: Added Nous Research and Poseidon, while removing Prime Intellect.
• Utilities & Services: Added DoubleZero (2Z), a DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network) provider focused on low-latency network infrastructure.

Sector Breakdown

Grayscale’s evaluation spans five primary categories: Smart Contracts, Financials, Consumer & Culture, AI, and Utilities & Services. The firm’s current interests appear heavily concentrated in the "Smart Contract" and "Financials" sectors, though the new additions suggest a growing focus on DePIN, AI, and on-chain tokenization.

Movement Toward New ETFs

The watchlist update follows Grayscale's recent move to register statutory trusts for BNB and HYPE in Delaware. These registrations are foundational procedural steps that suggest the firm is laying the groundwork for potential Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) for these specific assets.

January 2026, Cryptoniteuae