Bitcoin Could Reach $250,000 by 2026, Says Cardano Founder

Blockchain entrepreneur Charles Hoskinson has predicted that Bitcoin could reach as high as $250,000 by the end of this year or 2026. Hoskinson, the founder of Cardano, believes that the adoption by major technology companies and clearer regulations will drive the next wave of growth in the cryptocurrency market.

Speaking to CNBC during the “Beyond the Valley” podcast, Hoskinson discussed how investors are likely to adjust to the current macroeconomic environment, which includes rising geopolitical tensions and shifts in US trade policy. He anticipates that once markets stabilize and the US Federal Reserve lowers interest rates, capital will start flowing back into digital assets.

“The markets will stabilize a little bit, and they’ll get used to the new normal, and then the Fed will lower interest rates, and then you’ll have a lot of fast, cheap money, and then it’ll pour into crypto,” he said.

Hoskinson's bullish outlook comes despite recent volatility in the crypto markets. Bitcoin dropped below $77,000 earlier in the week but rebounded above $82,000 following a temporary pause on new global tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump.

Hoskinson pointed to several reasons for his optimistic view, including the growing number of cryptocurrency users worldwide. He also argued that global instability is pushing countries away from traditional systems and making decentralized options more attractive. “If Russia wants to invade Ukraine, it invades Ukraine. If China wants to invade Taiwan, it’s going to do that. So treaties don’t really work so well, and global business doesn’t really work so well there. So your only option for globalisation is crypto,” Hoskinson said.

Legislative efforts in the US could also play a key role. Hoskinson expects new bills on stablecoins and digital asset market structure to pass in the coming months. These laws could provide clarity for investors and open the door for mainstream adoption.

Hoskinson believes that the largest technology companies may soon explore stablecoin integration. The so-called Magnificent 7, which includes Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon, could use blockchain-based tokens for cross-border payments or microtransactions. He said this would reduce costs and increase efficiency.

While he expects the crypto market to remain quiet for the next few months, Hoskinson sees a turning point later this year. He predicted a new wave of investor interest starting around August or September that could continue into 2026.