Hoskinson Predicts Bitcoin Could Hit $250K in 2026

• Non-custodial Bitcoin DeFi enables institutions to lend and earn yield while retaining control, boosting adoption and liquidity.

• Growing institutional demand and structured investment products may drive Bitcoin’s price upward and influence altcoin markets.

• Stablecoins complement Bitcoin growth, providing gateways for liquidity into altcoins and decentralized finance platforms.

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson projected that Bitcoin could reach $250,000 in 2026, citing growing institutional demand. He outlined developments in non-custodial Bitcoin DeFi and yield protocols as key drivers. Hoskinson emphasized that bridging Bitcoin into decentralized finance could generate significant value for altcoins.

Non-Custodial Bitcoin DeFi Drives Adoption

Hoskinson explained that integrating Bitcoin into DeFi requires non-custodial lending and yield protocols. Institutions and holders prefer retaining control of Bitcoin, limiting custodial options.

By lending Bitcoin for stablecoins and deploying them for yield, users could access passive returns while maintaining asset security. He noted that current protocols are under construction, aiming to provide predictable returns.

The strategy involves leveraging credit and yield protocols to channel trillions of dollars in institutional Bitcoin into altcoin markets. According to Hoskinson, this process could support real-world adoption and independent operation of altcoins from Bitcoin’s price movements.

Institutional Demand and Market Infrastructure

Hoskinson pointed to institutional adoption as a key factor for Bitcoin’s potential rise. Financial institutions like Morgan Stanley have begun advising clients to allocate small percentages to Bitcoin through structured investment products. This expansion of traditional entry points is expected to increase retail and corporate participation, creating upward price pressure on the constrained Bitcoin supply.

He also highlighted the correlation between tech stocks and crypto markets, noting that macroeconomic factors, including AI-sector valuations, could temporarily influence Bitcoin. Nevertheless, inflows from institutional investors and governments could maintain gradual appreciation, with potential ripple effects across altcoin markets.

Stablecoins and Value Expansion

Stablecoins are expected to complement Bitcoin’s growth, providing alternative gateways for new users. Hoskinson referenced markets like Argentina, where stablecoins now represent a significant portion of economic transactions. Over the next decade, stablecoin adoption could expand, enabling liquidity movement into altcoins and decentralized platforms.

Hoskinson concluded that Bitcoin’s role as the internet’s store of value remains central, with the upcoming DeFi layer enhancing its utility. He emphasized that institutional investment, non-custodial protocols, and stablecoin integration collectively support the projected $250,000 valuation.