A New Turning Point for Enterprise Blockchain: Accelerated Adoption and Market Restructuring by 2026
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Entering the Maturity Phase of the Enterprise Blockchain Market
As of February 2026, the global enterprise blockchain market is experiencing an unprecedented turning point. According to the latest report by Gartner, the market size for enterprise blockchain solutions is expected to reach approximately $89.2 billion, a 73% increase compared to 2025. This signifies not just growth but also that blockchain technology is finally moving beyond the experimental phase to become a core digital infrastructure for enterprises.
A particularly notable change is the fundamental shift in the motivation behind companies adopting blockchain. Unlike during the cryptocurrency boom of 2021-2022, when companies adopted blockchain for speculative purposes or branding effects, the current trend is a practical approach based on clear business value and ROI. Jerry Cuomo, head of IBM’s blockchain division, explained, “As we enter 2026, customers’ questions have shifted from ‘What is blockchain?’ to ‘How can we scale faster?'”
Several technological and economic factors are driving this change. First and foremost, the performance of blockchain platforms has significantly improved. For instance, Ethereum’s Layer 2 solutions have increased transaction processing speed (TPS) from the previous 15-20 transactions per second to up to 65,000. Additionally, energy efficiency has greatly improved, aligning with companies’ ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals. According to data from the Ethereum Foundation, energy consumption of the network has decreased by 99.95% following the transition from Proof of Work (PoW) to Proof of Stake (PoS).
In the Korean market, Samsung SDS, based in Seoul, has achieved remarkable results with its blockchain-based logistics platform ‘Cello.’ As of the fourth quarter of 2025, the global logistics transaction volume processed through the Cello platform increased by 186% year-on-year, reaching $34 billion. Samsung SDS is currently expanding its supply chain transparency solutions with global retailers like Walmart and Costco, setting a target transaction volume of $120 billion for 2026.
Supply Chain and Sustainability: Blockchain’s Killer Applications
The most successful applications of enterprise blockchain are undoubtedly in supply chain management and sustainability tracking. According to a January 2026 report by McKinsey Global Institute, companies that have adopted blockchain-based supply chain solutions have achieved an average 23% reduction in operating costs, an 87% decrease in counterfeit product distribution, and a 34% reduction in compliance costs. This goes beyond mere technological improvement to enable innovation in business models themselves.
A representative success story is Nestlé’s ‘OpenChain’ project, based in Switzerland. Launched in 2024, this system tracks the entire supply chain from coffee beans to final products using blockchain. Currently, 2,847 farms in 42 countries are participating, and consumers can verify the origin, processing, and transportation routes of their purchased coffee in real-time by scanning a QR code. Nestlé announced a 42% increase in sales of premium coffee products following the system’s implementation.
In the carbon credit trading market, blockchain is acting as a game changer. The traditional carbon credit market suffered from issues like double counting, lack of transparency, and difficulty in verification, resulting in low trust. However, blockchain-based platforms are resolving these issues, leading to rapid market expansion. According to data from the Climate Chain Consortium, as of January 2026, blockchain-based carbon credit trading volume reached 3.4 million tons per month, a 278% increase year-on-year.
Microsoft, based in Redmond, Washington, is using its self-developed ‘Project Natick’ blockchain platform to track the carbon footprint of its data centers in real-time. This system transparently records power consumption, renewable energy usage ratios, and carbon offset activities, providing customers with accurate information on the environmental impact of their cloud service usage. Microsoft announced that it verified and offset approximately 890,000 tons of carbon emissions through this system in the fourth quarter of 2025.
In the financial services sector, JP Morgan’s ‘JPM Coin’ is solidifying its dominant position in the B2B payment market. With an annual transaction volume surpassing $300 billion in 2025, JPM Coin currently processes an average of $1.2 billion in transactions daily. Notably, it has reduced the processing time for international trade payments from 72 hours to 10 minutes compared to the traditional SWIFT system. JP Morgan has set a target transaction volume of $1 trillion for 2026, focusing on expanding in the Asia-Pacific region.
Meanwhile, Oracle, based in Austin, California, is making breakthroughs in blockchain-based identity verification solutions. Oracle’s ‘Blockchain Platform’ is currently used by 1,247 companies worldwide for employee identity verification, credential validation, and contract management. It is particularly noted for ensuring both security and efficiency in remote work environments, with monthly active users surpassing 2.8 million as of the fourth quarter of 2025.
Despite this growth, challenges remain. The biggest issue is the lack of interoperability between different blockchain networks. Most companies currently operate their own blockchain platforms, limiting data exchange and collaboration. Cross-chain protocols like Polkadot and Cosmos are gaining attention as potential solutions, but large-scale commercialization is still a work in progress.
The regulatory environment also remains uncertain. In the United States, jurisdictional disputes between the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) and CFTC (Commodity Futures Trading Commission) continue, and the EU’s MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) regulations leave room for interpretation in some clauses. In Korea, the Virtual Asset User Protection Act, implemented in July 2024, has provided stability, but specific guidelines for enterprise blockchain are still lacking.
The talent shortage is also severe. According to a January 2026 report by LinkedIn, demand for blockchain developers increased by 67% year-on-year, but supply only grew by 23%. The average salary for senior developers capable of designing enterprise-grade blockchain architecture is $185,000 (approximately 270 million KRW annually in Korea), leading to increased costs for companies’ blockchain projects.
Despite these challenges, the market outlook remains optimistic. IDC (International Data Corporation) predicts that global blockchain spending will reach $194 billion by the end of 2026. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to experience the highest growth rate, driven by China’s national blockchain policies, Japan’s digital yen experiments, and Korea’s K-Digital New Deal policy.
Venture capital investment is also active. According to CB Insights data, investment in enterprise blockchain startups reached $3.4 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025, an 89% increase year-on-year. Investments are particularly concentrated in supply chain management, ESG solutions, and digital identity verification. Alfred Lin, a partner at Sequoia Capital, stated, “Blockchain has finally become a tool for solving real problems,” and predicted that more active investment will continue over the next 3-5 years.
From a technological perspective, exciting developments continue. The commercialization of Zero-Knowledge Proof technology is accelerating, leading to solutions that ensure both privacy and transparency. Additionally, the development of quantum-resistant blockchains is active in response to advancements in quantum computing. IBM has announced plans to launch a quantum-secure blockchain platform in the second half of 2026, and Google, based in Mountain View, California, is investing $200 million annually in related research.
Future Outlook and Investment Implications
As of early 2026, the enterprise blockchain market is at a clear turning point. It is transitioning from a mere technological curiosity or marketing tool to a core infrastructure that creates substantial business value. This change is expected to bring fundamental shifts to the global business ecosystem over the next 5-10 years.
From an investor’s perspective, the focus should be on real business solutions utilizing blockchain technology rather than the technology itself. Opportunities are expected to be significant in areas with clear market needs, such as supply chain management, ESG solutions, digital identity verification, and carbon credit trading. Additionally, existing IT giants are likely to find new growth drivers as they integrate blockchain into their existing services.
Korean companies, leveraging their strengths in manufacturing, could occupy a unique position in the global supply chain blockchain market. Particularly in industries where Korea is strong, such as semiconductors, automobiles, and chemicals, the development and export of blockchain-based solutions could become a new growth engine. However, given the intense global competition, continuous investment in technology development and talent cultivation is necessary.
This analysis is based on information and market data available as of February 3, 2026. It is recommended to conduct additional due diligence and consult experts when making investment decisions.
