VanEck portfolio manager David Schassler forecasts Bitcoin will rebound in 2026 after underperforming the Nasdaq 100 Index by roughly 50% year-to-date. The digital asset's current weakness positions it as a potential top performer next year.
What Happened: Portfolio Manager's 2026 Forecast
Matthew Sigel, VanEck's head of digital assets research, said Bitcoin's historical four-year cycle remains intact following the October 2025 peak.
Schassler, who leads multi-asset solutions at VanEck, attributed Bitcoin's lag to softer risk appetite and temporary liquidity pressures rather than fundamental weakness.
The analysis appears in VanEck's report titled "Plan for 2026: Predictions from Our Portfolio Managers."
"As debasement ramps, liquidity returns, and Bitcoin historically responds sharply," Schassler wrote in the report. He added that VanEck has been accumulating the asset during the current price consolidation.
Sigel's assessment suggests 2026 will likely bring consolidation rather than extreme price movements in either direction. The report also examined mining economics and stablecoin development as indicators of market maturation.
Also Read: Wall Street Analysts Warn Of Fiscal Pressures As Treasury Positions Stablecoins To Absorb Debt
Why It Matters: Institutional Integration Accelerates
Ruslan Lienkha, chief of markets at YouHodler, told Cryptonews that macroeconomic factors will remain the primary drivers for Bitcoin and Ethereum prices in 2026. Interest rates, liquidity trends and broader risk sentiment will continue to influence major cryptocurrencies in the short and medium term.
Corporate treasury allocations to digital assets represent a significant catalyst for market momentum next year, according to Lienkha.
He expects banks and financial institutions to increase their market involvement as jurisdictions establish clearer regulatory frameworks.
Schassler also projected gold will reach $5,000 per ounce in 2026, introducing volatility across markets. The precious metal has gained more than 70% this year and currently trades above $4,500.
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