Bitcoin enters 2026 after falling from record highs above USD 120,000 to levels below USD 85,000 in November. The correction has been driven by profit-taking, rising volatility, the Federal Reserve’s rhetoric, the US government shutdown, liquidity issues on several platforms, and declining volumes in BTC ETFs.
XFINE experts note that the move fits the post-halving pattern: the impact of the 2024 halving typically lasts 18-24 months and continues to shape market structure. Michael Saylor, founder of MicroStrategy, once again referred to Bitcoin as “digital gold”, confirming that corporate interest in the asset remains strong. Among optimistic forecasts, ARK Invest CEO Cathie Wood expects a USD 150,000-200,000 range within the current cycle. Research firm Bernstein also allows for Bitcoin approaching USD 200,000 as early as the first half of 2026 if capital inflows recover.
The pessimistic camp is represented by economist and professor Nouriel Roubini and Nassim Taleb, author of The Black Swan. Roubini calls Bitcoin a “bubble”, while Taleb points to a statistical risk of the price eventually falling to zero. Several technical analysts also see potential downside towards USD 70,000-76,000 if key support levels are breached.
The regulatory landscape remains strict: the UK, EU and US are preparing new frameworks for crypto exchanges, custodial providers and stablecoins. According to one major European regulator, the market is becoming “safer but less free”, which increases short-term volatility.
XFINE emphasises that in 2026, traders with access to deep liquidity and a broad set of instruments will have a strategic advantage. XFINE’s infrastructure combines CFD trading, Binance liquidity and OKX exchange futures, enabling market participants to operate effectively in both bullish and bearish scenarios. The company notes growing demand for hedging strategies and combined positions – a key skill in an expanding price range.
The bottom line: 2026 will be a stress test for the entire crypto industry. Bitcoin’s price will be shaped by the aftermath of the 2024 halving, institutional demand, regulation and liquidity conditions. For investors it will be a year of heightened uncertainty; for active traders – a year of opportunities.
