Bitcoin is heading toward 2026 under a cloud of uncertainty, as analysts expect the downtrend that began in late 2025 to continue. Despite the bearish outlook, industry pioneers argue that next year will mark a milestone in Bitcoin’s real-world usability, especially in global payment systems.
Veteran investor Michael Terpin expects Bitcoin to potentially bottom near $60,000 in Q4 2026 — a level he believes could unlock one of the most attractive accumulation windows in the decade.
“Late 2026 will be the perfect entry point, where fear fades and strong buying emerges ahead of 2028–2029, likely driven by post-halving supply shock,” Terpin projected.
He also notes that Bitcoin still has about a 20% probability of reaching a new all-time high before the bearish cycle ends — although this likelihood is declining month by month. Macroeconomic forces may also shape price action. A new U.S. Federal Reserve Chair could help ease economic pressure by lowering interest rates. However, if Republicans fail to secure control of both chambers of Congress in the 2026 midterm elections, pro-crypto regulatory support may weaken — adding another risk factor.
Earlier expectations for 2025 predicted Bitcoin would explode to $180,000–$250,000, yet the market instead shows signs of closing the year below the $100,000 peak set in January.
🚀 Despite Price Weakness, Bitcoin Payment Adoption Expected to Accelerate in 2026
While the chart may look grim, the technology behind Bitcoin continues to expand rapidly.
Blockchain software pioneer Rich Rines said:
“2025 made it easier to hold Bitcoin and earn yield on it. But 2026 will make using Bitcoin in daily life truly convenient.”
According to Rines, several key developments will fuel Bitcoin’s transformation into a medium of exchange:
✔️ Bitcoin-native digital banks and fintech institutions providing BTC-based online banking
✔️ Infrastructure companies rolling out merchant tools for Bitcoin payments
✔️ Stablecoins backed directly by Bitcoin, supporting transactional use cases
Payment giant Square has already integrated Bitcoin payments into its point-of-sale system, enabling businesses to accept BTC and optionally convert 1% of daily revenue into Bitcoin automatically.
Meanwhile, the Bitcoin Lightning Network — the popular Layer-2 scaling system — is making BTC transactions dramatically faster and cheaper by allowing payments to occur off-chain and only settling final balances on Bitcoin's main ledger.
Graham Krizek, founder of Lightning payment company Voltage, told Cointelegraph he believes Lightning could handle up to 5% of total global stablecoin flow by 2028, marking a historic shift in how digital value moves worldwide.
🔚 Bottom Line
Even if Bitcoin struggles through 2026, the foundation being laid today — banks, merchant tools, and Lightning rails — could set the stage for explosive adoption in the late decade. Smart investors may watch closely, not just for price — but for infrastructure.
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