In brief
- Analysts agree 2026 is unlikely to bring a crypto winter.
- Short-term volatility is likely, but Bitcoin is expected to remain strong and reach new all-time highs.
- Altcoins and Ethereum may hinge more on regulatory developments, especially the fate of a U.S. crypto market structure bill.
In 2025, advantageous regulatory outcomes helped supercharge a delirious crypto bull run—but that hot streak has since petered out. Now many traders are asking themselves: Was this it? Is it back to another bear market already?
For Decrypt‘s annual Crypto Crystal Ball series, we’re diving deep on the questions that could define the next year for digital assets, and what they mean for you.
We’ve already looked at whether the crypto industry will…
Jan 01 2026
