2026 could mark the clearest break from everything investors thought they understood about Bitcoin cycles.

For more than a decade, markets have relied on a four-year halving model to predict peaks, crashes and recoveries.

Within this framework, 2025 should have been at the top, with 2026 being a year of painful decline. However, a growing number of analysts now say that this model is no longer reliable and the next phase of cryptocurrencies could look very different.

In a fresh video from Cointelegraph, we bring you fresh perspectives from four major crypto companies: Grayscale, Galaxy Digital, Bitwise and 21Shares, to explore what 2026 may bring.

Some forecasts are surprisingly positive. Grayscale says Bitcoin (BTC) could reach fresh all-time highs in the first half of 2026, driven by macroeconomic factors such as rising global debt, devaluation of fiat currencies and accelerating institutional adoption through exchange-traded products. If this were to happen, it would effectively nullify the classic four-year cycle narrative.

Others advise caution. Galaxy describes the coming year as “too chaotic to predict,” citing wide price ranges in options markets and looming uncertainties such as the U.S. midterm elections and a shift in monetary policy, even though it remains positive for the longer term.

Beyond Bitcoin’s price, reports are converging on several powerful trends shaping cryptocurrency’s next chapter: the surge in stablecoins, the growth of prediction markets tied to real-world events, and the growing demand for privacy tools as cryptocurrencies become more deeply integrated into mainstream finance.

For the full breakdown, including key data, company-specific forecasts and narratives that will most likely define 2026, watch the full video on Cointelegraph’s YouTube channel. And remember to like, subscribe and join the discussion in the comments.