Bitcoin investors are looking ahead to the new year with cautious optimism after a volatile 2025.
Despite recent turbulence, Cory Klippsten – the chief executive of Swan Bitcoin – believes the digital asset is poised for a sharp rally over the next 12 months.
Speaking recently with CNBC, Klippsten argued that BTC’s adoption curve, institutional support, and historical cycle patterns suggest a strong probability of a record high next year.
“I think we have more than a 50% chance … of a new all-time high in 2026,” he said, adding that he expects Bitcoin to climb above $125,000.
Reason behind Klippsten’s bullish Bitcoin forecast for 2026
One of the strongest arguments for a bullish Bitcoin forecast for 2026 lies in the steady growth of institutional and government participation.
Klippsten emphasized that BTC adoption currently is largely a one-way street: “People don’t tend to get into Bitcoin and then get out of it. They generally stick.”
This stickiness, combined with the influx of capital from large players, creates a durable foundation for price appreciation.
Unlike earlier cycles where speculative retail demand dominated – today’s market is supported by pension funds, asset managers, and sovereign entities.
That deeper pool of buyers reduces the likelihood of a sharp collapse and increases the probability of sustained upward momentum, he argued last week on “Fast Money”.
Here’s what history tells us about BTC heading into 2026
Bitcoin’s price history has mostly been defined by four-year cycles tied to halving events.
Peaks in 2013, 2017, and 2021 were followed by years where prices failed to surpass prior highs. Klippsten noted that 2025 broke this pattern: “Because there wasn’t an astronomical rise … it’s hard to imagine some precipitous fall from here.”
Instead of repeating the boom-and-bust extremes, Bitcoin appears to be entering a more mature phase, where liquidity and adoption drive steadier growth.
With the asset consolidating in the $85,000–$90,000 range, Klippsten believes the groundwork is set for a breakout.
His forecast of $125,000 reflects confidence that BTC’s resilience will carry into 2026, potentially delivering a more than 40% return over the next 12 months.
Is miners’ rising shift to AI bearish for Bitcoin?
A notable trend in recent years has been Bitcoin miners diversifying into artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Companies like Core Scientific have announced plans to become fully focused on high-performance computing (HPC) within the next two to three years.
While some worry this reduces mining power, Klippsten dismissed the concern: “Just because hash rate might fall or go up … it doesn’t really change the security model of Bitcoin.”
Mining costs and hash rate are lagging indicators, not price drivers. The exit of large industrial miners simply opens opportunities for smaller players, maintaining decentralization.
Moreover, BTC’s protocol ensures network security adjusts dynamically.
Far from being a bearish signal, the shift highlights the adaptability of the ecosystem while leaving Bitcoin’s fundamentals intact.
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