VanEck Predicts Bitcoin Could Be a Top Performer in 2026

Bitcoin (BTC $88,347) has underperformed this year, lagging both gold and the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100, despite expectations that the cryptocurrency would benefit from fiat currency devaluation.

However, VanEck sees a potential rebound for the largest crypto asset next year.

“Bitcoin is trailing the Nasdaq 100 Index by roughly 50% year-to-date, and that dislocation is setting it up to be a top performer in 2026,” said David Schassler, head of multi-asset solutions at VanEck, in the firm’s recently published 2026 outlook.

While 2025’s weakness reflects a softer risk appetite and tight liquidity, Schassler maintains that Bitcoin’s long-term thesis remains intact. “As currency debasement ramps up and liquidity returns, BTC historically responds sharply,” he added.

Schassler’s broader outlook is built on the intersection of monetary debasement, technological transformation, and the rise of hard assets. He argues that funding future liabilities and political ambitions will increasingly rely on money printing, driving investors toward scarce stores of value like gold and Bitcoin.

Gold, in particular, is expected to extend its strong performance, potentially reaching $5,000 next year. “Gold is one of the strongest major assets this year, and we expect that momentum to carry forward,” Schassler said. The yellow metal has gained over 70% in 2025, currently trading around $4,492 per ounce.

Meanwhile, a quiet bull market in natural resources is emerging, fueled by infrastructure needs tied to artificial intelligence, energy transitions, robotics, and re-industrialization. These “old-world assets,” as Schassler describes them, are laying the foundation for the new economy.