Bitcoin Will Hit All-Time High in 2026 if It Clears These Three Hurdles — Bitwise CIO

Core Insights - Bitcoin's price could potentially reach a new all-time high in 2026 if it overcomes three significant hurdles, as stated by Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan [1] Group 1: Market Risks - The first hurdle is to avoid large-scale market liquidations similar to the event on October 10, 2025, where approximately $19 billion in crypto futures positions were liquidated in one day [2] - Concerns over potential forced sales from major players have diminished, contributing to a positive market sentiment as investors have moved past the October 10 incident [3] Group 2: Regulatory Clarity - The second hurdle involves achieving regulatory clarity in the U.S., particularly through the passage of the CLARITY Act, which is currently progressing through Congress with a markup process expected by January 15 [4] - There are ongoing challenges related to differing regulatory visions for DeFi, stablecoin rewards, and political conflicts of interest that could impact the regulatory landscape [5] Group 3: Market Stability - Stable equity markets are essential for sustaining a rally in Bitcoin's price, as favorable macroeconomic and regulatory conditions could extend early momentum [1]