Arthur Hayes, former CEO of BitMEX, recently stated that he believes Bitcoin has already corrected itself and is unlikely to return to trading near $50,000 (USD). In an interview, the expert analyzed the current market situation and gave his views on what will happen in 2026.
The businessman emphasized that BTC’s recent decline ranged from 15% to 35%, which is completely normal within a bullish cycle. “I’m not surprised. This is typical market behavior,” he insisted.
Mr. Hayes pointed out that The decline from USD 125,000 to USD 80,000 showed the limits of market liquidity.But it does not indicate a general crisis. He even described the incident as a “canary in the coal mine” (a metaphor used in the financial industry to indicate early warning signs), adding that other assets could suffer similar corrections before the market stabilizes.
Credit cycle and world politics
Mr. Hayes, who is also Maelstrom’s chief investment officer, said: Bitcoin’s 4-year cycle is not a programmed pattern However, this reflects the credit period caused by US and Chinese monetary policies.
He thus explained that after the mass printing of money following the 2008 crisis, China’s stimulus package in 2015 that included lower interest rates and higher fiscal spending, and the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, the current market is once again reflecting the liquidity created by decisions of the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve (FED).
“We are now at the end of the beginning of this cycle and there will be a lot of printing to come,” he said.
Along these lines, the businessman also emphasized the importance of global monetary policy. In his view, the US Republican Party will have a big incentive to print money and stimulate the economy ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. China, Japan, and Europe will follow similar measures, creating a favorable environment for risk assets such as Bitcoin, stocks, and real estate.
Regarding the price, Hayes said: Bitcoin could reach USD 500,000 by the end of 2026. But he warned that the cycle’s peak would likely come after the 2028 US presidential election.
In this way, Coach Maelstrom has remained consistent in his recent statements. As CriptoNoticias reported a few days ago, experts believe that it is wrong to set the duration of the Bitcoin cycle in advance.
(Tag translation) Bitcoin (BTC)
