Arthur Hayes assessed the crypto market's prospects for 2026

Arthur Hayes, co-founder and former CEO of the BitMEX crypto exchange and manager of the Maelstrom investment fund, shared his opinion on the cryptocurrency market outlook for 2026. He predicts that Bitcoin (BTC) could reach $500,000, and the overall market will demonstrate a bullish trend.

Correction or the beginning of a "crypto winter"?

Hayes believes that Bitcoin's recent drop below $90,000 is a typical correction within a bull market, and not the beginning of a new "crypto winter." He argues that the leading cryptocurrency has already offset the risk of a possible stock market correction, creating the conditions for further growth.

"The main driver of 2026 is the US Federal Reserve's printing press. The market is driven not by the halving, but by the global credit cycle." We're now facing a hyperliquidity phase again, as the Republicans need to win the 2026 elections. This means there will be stimulus and 'easy money.' And China is stimulating the economy due to the deflating real estate market," Hayes explained.

Ethereum as a Leader

The entrepreneur also noted that Ethereum (ETH) will remain the leader among all blockchains next year. Hayes predicts that more and more banks and fintech companies will use Ethereum to develop their infrastructure. At the same time, Solana will need a new driver to maintain its market position.

Institutional Capital Inflow

Hayes expects large asset managers and pension funds to gradually increase the share of cryptocurrencies in their portfolios. This will be a response to the shift in monetary policy and the decline in returns on traditional instruments. This process will become a long-term source of capital inflow and help reduce crypto market volatility.

Expert Opinion

Earlier, André Dragosch, Head of Research at Bitwise Europe, also expressed the opinion that Bitcoin is undervalued by the market and could demonstrate significant growth in 2026. This confirms Hayes's optimism regarding the future of cryptocurrencies.

Thus, according to Arthur Hayes and other experts, 2026 could be a landmark year for the cryptocurrency market, opening up new horizons for investors and users.