Bitfinex Predicts 2026 as a Pivotal Year for Bitcoin Liquidity

Luisa Crawford
Dec 15, 2025 17:10

Bitfinex anticipates 2026 to be crucial for Bitcoin liquidity, driven by macroeconomic adjustments, institutional adoption, and evolving market conditions, according to a recent report.

In a comprehensive analysis of the crypto market, Bitfinex has projected that 2026 will be a significant year for Bitcoin (BTC) liquidity. This forecast is rooted in several macroeconomic and market trends observed in 2025, as detailed in their final Bitfinex Alpha report of the year.

Structural Market Shifts

According to Bitfinex, a notable shift occurred in 2025 with Bitcoin moving away from its traditional four-year, halving-driven cycle. The diminishing impact of Bitcoin’s halving events, due to reduced annual BTC issuance, has led to a market environment where demand-side forces and broader economic conditions play a more substantial role in price dynamics.

The report highlights that despite the expected cycle completion post-halving, Bitcoin did not experience the severe drawdowns typical of previous cycles. This resilience was attributed to structural inflows from ETFs, corporations, and sovereign-linked entities, which absorbed a significant portion of the mined supply, thus reducing market volatility.

Macroeconomic Influences

Throughout 2025, Bitcoin’s role as a hedge against traditional economic risks was bolstered, particularly in light of persistent fiscal deficits and rising sovereign debt risks. The report notes that Bitcoin, alongside gold, could continue to serve as a hedge, especially at macroeconomic turning points.

Bitfinex anticipates that liquidity will be a key driver for Bitcoin’s performance in 2026. The global liquidity cycle, impacted by heavy Treasury issuance and quantitative tightening, is expected to turn more favorable as these factors moderate, potentially boosting Bitcoin’s market conditions.

Institutional Adoption

Further deepening institutional adoption is predicted to be a major factor in Bitcoin’s evolution as a mature asset class. The report forecasts that assets under management (AUM) in crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs) could double from $200 billion to over $400 billion by the end of 2026, reinforcing Bitcoin’s standing as a macro-sensitive asset with longer and less volatile cycles.

Economic and Policy Outlook

Looking ahead to 2026, the report outlines several economic conditions that could influence Bitcoin’s trajectory. The U.S. economy is expected to continue adjusting from the post-pandemic inflation shock, with potential for monetary policy to ease further if inflation persists above target levels. The Federal Reserve’s cautious approach could lead to more interest rate cuts, which might create a more accommodative environment for Bitcoin and the broader crypto market.

As 2025 concludes, Bitfinex expresses optimism for Bitcoin revisiting its all-time high of $126,110, driven by increasing liquidity and continued adoption. The report underscores the importance of these factors in shaping Bitcoin’s future market dynamics.

For more insights, the full report is available on the Bitfinex blog.

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