Major asset managers are forecasting that Bitcoin will shatter its traditional four-year cycle and reach new all-time highs in 2026, driven by massive institutional capital inflows and regulatory clarity. Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan and Grayscale Research both project BTC will exceed its previous peak despite conventional wisdom suggesting 2026 should be a pullback year. Bitcoin has historically followed a four-year cycle tied to halving events, with three significant up years followed ...

Core Viewpoint - Cathie Wood, CEO of Ark Invest, believes that Bitcoin's traditional four-year cycle will be disrupted due to increased institutional investment, leading to reduced volatility and potentially preventing significant price declines [1][4]. Group 1: Bitcoin's Market Dynamics - Historically, Bitcoin experienced price drops of 75-90% in its early days, but recent trends indicate that volatility is decreasing as institutional interest grows [1]. - The last Bitcoin halving occurred on April 20, 2024, reducing the mining reward to 3.125 bitcoins, which has historically led to bull runs by limiting new supply [1][2]. - Wood posits that Bitcoin is transitioning to a "risk-on asset," aligning more closely with the performance of stocks and real estate, contrasting with its previous role as a "risk-off asset" during times of economic distress [2][3]. Group 2: Institutional Influence and Predictions - Wood's investment strategy includes increasing positions in crypto-related companies such as Coinbase and Circle, as well as in the Ark 21Shares Bitcoin ETF, indicating a strong belief in the future of cryptocurrencies [4]. - Standard Chartered has also suggested that the traditional halving cycle may no longer be a relevant price driver due to the impact of ETF buying, challenging previous market logic [4][5]. - The prediction market Myriad indicates a mere 4% chance of Bitcoin outperforming gold by 2025, reflecting skepticism about Bitcoin's future performance compared to traditional safe-haven assets [3].