 
 
Cardano co-founder Charles Hoskinson has doubled down on his most bullish outlook, predicting Bitcoin to end 2026 at $250,000 and that privacy-focused assets will lead the next cycle.
In a new address, Hoskinson projected “an incredible year” ahead for crypto, adding that privacy will be the catalyst that “brings back retail” and restores momentum across the market.
The IOHK CEO’s forecast comes amid a volatile period for Bitcoin, which recently fell to just above $94,000 after peaking at $126,000 in October. But analysts at JPMorgan say the drawdown has likely reached its floor.
According to the bank, Bitcoin’s current $94K production cost limits downside risk, and improving volatility metrics could position BTC for a bullish move into 2026. The team led by Nikolaos Panigirtzoglou reiterated its long-term stance, projecting that Bitcoin could challenge gold’s $28.3 trillion market cap and reach roughly $170,000 by 2026.
JPMorgan noted that Bitcoin benefits from macro drivers, via increasing ETF adoption, growing stablecoin use, and Wall Street’s push into asset tokenization. Zhong Yang Chan of CoinGecko added that crypto treasuries and institutional inflows remain structural tailwinds even as short-term sentiment wavers.
 
Hoskinson’s confidence is rooted in the sector’s shifting narrative, arguing that privacy is becoming a core demand. The Cardano Co-founder said a strong privacy-led breakout, combined with infrastructure upgrades and maturing regulation, could create the conditions for Bitcoin to surge far beyond traditional forecasts.
Yet Bitcoin chatter swings between fear and long-term conviction as whales continue to accumulate while retail investors exit. That said, liquidity rotation toward altcoins, ETF outflows, and technical resistance near $122K keep near-term sentiment fragile.
As Bitcoin hovers in a tight range, traders are watching two pressure points: the U.S. Senate’s vote on a December crypto bill and the battle to defend support levels below $95K. Hoskinson, however, insists the runway to 2026 is already taking shape.