VanEck predicts bitcoin could be the market’s standout in 2026 — even after a rough 2025 that left the largest crypto trailing both gold and the Nasdaq 100. “Bitcoin is lagging the Nasdaq 100 Index by roughly 50% year-to-date, and that dislocation is setting it up to be a top performer in 2026,” David Schassler, head of multi-asset solutions at VanEck, wrote in the firm’s recently published 2026 outlook. He attributes this year’s weakness to softer risk appetite and tight liquidity but says the core bullish case for BTC remains intact. “As debasement [currency devaluation] ramps, liquidity returns, and BTC historically responds sharply,” Schassler added. “We have been buying.” VanEck’s broader thesis combines three themes: accelerating monetary debasement, technological transformation, and a shift toward hard assets. The firm argues that governments’ increasing reliance on money printing to fund future liabilities and political ambitions will push investors toward scarce stores of value — notably gold and bitcoin. On gold, Schassler is especially bullish, forecasting a move to $5,000 next year and noting the metal has already surged more than 70% this year to about $4,492 per ounce. He also highlights a quiet bull market in natural resources driven by infrastructure needs tied to AI, energy transition, robotics and re-industrialization — what he calls “old-world assets” underpinning the new economy. Bottom line: VanEck sees the current crypto slump as a potential setup. If liquidity returns and monetary debasement accelerates, the firm expects bitcoin — currently behind traditional risk assets year-to-date — to rebound strongly in 2026. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

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