BREAKING: New reports confirm that Bitcoin (BTC) is poised to soar to a new all-time high in 2026, breaking its traditional four-year cycle pattern. This bold prediction comes from Matt Hougan, Chief Investment Officer at Bitwise Asset Management, in a Monday note that has sent ripples through the crypto community.
According to Hougan, the historical forces that typically drive Bitcoin’s cycles are weakening, creating a unique opportunity for growth. He emphasizes that the approval of pro-crypto regulations and a surge in institutional capital, particularly through Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), will play a crucial role in sustaining prices. With major financial institutions like Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, and Wells Fargo beginning to allocate funds, the stage is set for Bitcoin to thrive in 2026.
Hougan notes, “In our view, the forces that previously drove four-year cycles — the Bitcoin halving, interest rate cycles, and crypto’s leverage-fueled booms and busts — are significantly weaker than they’ve been in past cycles.” This shift indicates that Bitcoin may not follow the typical pattern of a pullback year in 2026, as previously expected.
Historically, Bitcoin’s cycles have seen three significant up years followed by a sharp pullback year, with the most recent halving occurring in April 2024. However, Hougan asserts that the current landscape is different. He predicts that the influx of institutional capital will accelerate in 2026, especially as financial advisors are now permitted to recommend Bitcoin ETFs, potentially unlocking portions of the bank’s $3.5 trillion in client assets into the crypto market.
Supporting this bullish outlook, the research arm of asset manager Grayscale echoes the sentiment, projecting that Bitcoin will set new records in the first half of 2026 as the market transitions into what they term the “institutional era.” Grayscale identifies rising macro demand for alternative stores of value amid escalating public debt and enhanced regulatory clarity as key factors supporting Bitcoin’s ascent.
In addition to price predictions, Hougan highlights that Bitcoin’s volatility has steadily decreased over the past decade. He anticipates that in 2026, Bitcoin will demonstrate less volatility than Nvidia, with a reduced correlation with traditional stocks. This trend is expected to continue, as regulatory progress and institutional adoption may push Bitcoin prices higher, even as equities face concerns about valuation and economic growth.
At the time of publication, Bitcoin is trading near $87,000, down nearly 1%. The crypto market is currently experiencing fluctuations, but experts advise cautious optimism as 2026 approaches.
As the landscape shifts and institutional interest grows, all eyes will be on Bitcoin in the coming months. Investors and crypto enthusiasts are urged to stay tuned for further developments as the countdown to a potential new all-time high begins.
What happens next? Watch for upcoming announcements from major financial institutions and continued regulatory clarity that could further influence Bitcoin’s trajectory in 2026.
Stay informed with the latest updates as this story develops.
