Bitcoin prices registered a hot start to the new year, racing to regain the coveted $100,000 level in early January. Although top cryptocurrencies have cooled off over the past few days, optimism has never been this high in the market in months. Adding to this optimism, Binance co-founder and former CEO Changpeng ‘CZ’ Zhao predicted a very positive outlook for Bitcoin in 2026.
BTC could abandon 4-year cycle theory in 2026: CZ
In a CNBC interview at the World Economic Forum, CZ said he has a “strong feeling” that Bitcoin price will enter a supercycle in 2026. This prediction came in response to an interviewer’s question about Zhao’s Bitcoin price outlook.
In an economic context, a supercycle refers to a prolonged period characterized by explosive growth in an asset or sector. Unlike typical short-term rallies fueled by hype and speculation, supercycles represent significant changes over a long period of time and supported by strong fundamentals.
Zhao explained to the interviewer that the price of Bitcoin moves in a four-year cyclical pattern, with cycles of all-time highs and lows. However, the former Binance CEO agreed with the ongoing narrative that he believes the top cryptocurrency will break its four-year cycle theory this year.
When asked about his strategy and current portfolio, CZ mentioned that he does not trade the cryptocurrency market but rather accumulates coins with a long-term commitment. In particular, the prominent cryptocurrency leader said he continues to accumulate Bitcoin and BNB, the native tokens of the Binance ecosystem.
In the interview, CZ also spoke about life after being imprisoned for four months, mentioning his work at YZi Labs, Giggle Academy, and his work as a cryptocurrency advisor to various governments. Zhao, who received a pardon from U.S. President Donald Trump in October 2025, clarified rumors that he was pardoned for violating the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act.
It is worth noting that CZ is not the first person in the cryptocurrency industry to comment on Bitcoin price abandoning the four-year halving-related supercycle. Parth Gargava, Managing Partner at Fidelity Labs, expressed similar sentiments about the BTC market at the start of the new year.
Gargava highlighted three drivers as factors driving the shift from a typical four-year cycle to a supercycle. Fidelity executives cited “steady buying by institutions focused on ETFs, policies, market maturity and changing correlations” as a catalyst for the changing market environment.
Bitcoin price at a glance
As of this writing, the BTC price is around $89,460, with no significant movement over the past day.
The price of BTC on the daily timeframe | Source: BTCUSDT chart on TradingView
Featured image from Binance, chart from TradingView
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