Arthur Hayes Predicts Crypto Bull Run Extending Through 2026 – Here’s Why

Crypto markets aren't just heating up—they're building momentum that could power through another year of gains according to BitMEX founder Arthur Hayes.

The Macro Backdrop

Traditional finance keeps stumbling while digital assets bypass legacy bottlenecks. Central banks flip-flop on policy while crypto markets price in reality faster than any Fed announcement.

Institutional Adoption Accelerates

BlackRock's ETF inflows smashed records. Hedge funds pile into altcoins they mocked two years ago. Even pension funds now dip toes into bitcoin—though they'll probably sell at the first 10% drop.

Technical Infrastructure Matures

Layer-2 solutions handle volume that would've crashed networks in 2021. Stablecoins process more transactions than Visa in some corridors. The plumbing works while bankers still debate whether crypto 'has value'.

Regulatory Clarity Emerges

Politicians finally realize they can't ban math. Clearer rules remove uncertainty—the only thing institutional money fears more than volatility. Though let's be honest, most regulators still can't explain the difference between a blockchain and an Excel spreadsheet.

Hayes sees the cycle extending because the fundamentals finally caught up to the hype. The real question isn't whether crypto will grow—it's whether traditional finance will bother learning how it works before missing the entire movement.

Key Takeaways

The bull run may extend beyond Q4 2025, into 2026, due to macro catalysts, according to Arthur Hayes. In the short term, though, BTC must clear $117K to advance. 

The market may still have room for growth despite being in the late stage of the bull run, according to BitMEX Founder Arthur Hayes. 

In the past two cycles (2017 and 2021), Bitcoin [BTC] peaked in Q4 of the year after the halving event.

If that pattern repeats, the timeline would be Q4, 2025. But Hayes believes President Donald TRUMP could extend the rally into 2026. 

Source: BTC cycle top (2017 vs 2021) 

Trump effect

According to Hayes, Trump WOULD like to print more money like Covid cheques to support programs that could give Republicans an easy win in the next midterm election in 2026. 

He said that the current Fed chair, Jerome Powell, will be out of office, adding to ‘full steam’ and ‘middle of the cycle. He added, 

“I think people are underpricing the upside in equities, crypto, and everything.”

In other words, it looks like the ‘Trump trade’ that lifted the market in late 2024 may come to play again in 2026, per Hayes. 

Source: Glassnode

However, Glassnode data showed that we’re already in euphoria, typically seen as BTC enters price discovery or a new record level. 

Since the levels are associated with massive unrealized profit, the pressure to sell also increases. The end result is a marked cycle top if the sell-off escalates. 

But the True MVRV, another market cycle top indicator, was far from flagging a ‘strong sell’ associated with past market peaks. Hence, there could be a little room for extra rally as Hayes projects.  

Source: CryptoQuant

Meanwhile, in the short term, Glassnode noted that BTC must clear the $117K hurdle, as a huge supply was bought at the level and could attract sell-pressure.  

Hence, ahead of the Fed rate decision, the level could be key to determining the bulls’ continued advance towards $120K 

Source: Glassnode