How the Penis Grows in Crypto: From Politics to Structure

The start of 2026 has brought a clear understanding of the cryptocurrency market—the previous year of Trump’s honeymoon has become part of history. For the industry, this is the turning point from relying on political promises to genuine structural transformation. The main question now is not “what will politics do?” but “how will the growth of assets and wealth in digital assets continue to accelerate?”

Yat Siu, co-founder and executive chairman of Animoca Brands, is one of the leading figures in defining this new direction. In his view, the growth of assets in crypto is directly connected to the increase in institutional capital—not based on political promises, but on tangible changes in how large investors view and manage digital assets.

The End of the Trump Era and the Beginning of the Institutional Age

Over the past year, the crypto market has revolved around one idea: the new administration will be the industry’s savior. Altcoins are driven by regulatory signals, Bitcoin has been influenced by executive orders, and everyone has been waiting for a green light that never came.

But as months passed, the truth became clear. “Trump is really pro-crypto, that’s positive,” Yat Siu said in an interview. “But we are not his main priority. I think our industry has been thinking that Trump would always be our savior, and that’s not really what happened.”

This moment contains an important lesson: the growth of assets in crypto should not depend on a personality or political decision. It must be built on deeper foundations—the market structures and institutional support. That’s where true growth begins.

Bitcoin as a Reserve Asset, Altcoins as a Productive Economy

This shift reflects how major investors understand the role of different digital assets. According to Siu, Bitcoin is already taking on the role of gold—a reserve asset valued for security and long-term stability.

“Bitcoin is functioning almost like gold. It’s our reserve asset,” he said, shedding light on how assets for institutional portfolios have grown. While Bitcoin has settled into this role, other altcoins are heading in a different direction: building a real economy of products and services.

This distinction is critical to understanding the growth of wealth in the crypto space. Investors looking to strengthen their holdings are no longer waiting for speculative runs. They are engaging with projects that have tangible use cases and ecosystem support.

Crypto and AI: How the New Digital Ecosystem is Growing

Another layer of growth comes from the connection between cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence. Here, Siu sees a natural relationship—not competition but collaboration.

“For most users, the defense against AI is owning Crypto,” Siu said. This insight has profound implications. As AI systems become more autonomous and pervasive in the digital world, they need assets and infrastructure that cannot be controlled by a single entity—this is where blockchain comes in.

Blockchain provides the sovereignty and trust necessary for autonomous systems. This means that the growth of assets in crypto is directly related to the adoption of AI. Instead of competing industries, they are becoming complementary forces that grow together.

For those based in Asia, especially in places like Hong Kong and near Shenzhen, integrating these two industries offers a unique opportunity for the region’s assets and wealth to grow.

Gamified Finance and Changing Generational Engagement

The way assets grow in crypto also depends on how the new generation interacts with financial systems. Here, Siu offers a perspective that challenges traditional industry thinking: crypto is not about bringing finance into gaming, but about bringing gaming into finance.

“We believe the entire crypto industry is essentially gamified finance in some form,” Siu said. Platforms like Hyperliquid use leaderboards, social rankings, and reward mechanics—not as shallow design choices, but as genuine ways to communicate with younger users.

This shift means that asset growth and engagement are no longer following traditional marketing playbooks. New investors—especially younger ones—see value through participation mechanisms similar to their online culture. It’s an organic growth method beyond traditional advertising.

Hong Kong: The Heart of the Global Digital Assets

Ultimately, the question of “how assets grow in crypto” also answers the question: “where should we invest and build?” For Siu, Hong Kong is positioned as the center of this transformation.

“You can really build a strong digital assets hub from a global perspective only if it has global rails,” Siu said. “Hong Kong has a unique position for that.”

The city has three strategic advantages: it is a global financial center, close to some of the fastest emerging technology ecosystems in Asia (like Shenzhen), and accessible to international capital markets and regulatory frameworks. This combination makes Hong Kong a natural location for asset growth in crypto, AI, and their convergence.

Animoca’s ambition to become the first altcoin digital asset treasury company—including the goal to list on Nasdaq—reflects this grand vision. It’s not just about growing a company, but about expanding assets and legitimacy for the entire sector in the global market.

As we move deeper into 2026, the message is clear: asset growth in crypto no longer starts in Washington or any single government. It begins with structures—institutional capital, use cases, technological convergence, and regions that excel at fostering that convergence. Investors who understand this fundamental shift will benefit during the era of true digital asset development.