What to Expect from Bitcoin and Altcoins as We Head into 2026

• Dennis Liu from Virtual Bacon predicts Bitcoin’s strength due to favorable macroeconomic factors.
• Altcoins will underperform due to their decoupling from Bitcoin and shifting liquidity sources.
• The fiscal dominance may limit altcoin growth as Bitcoin takes the lead heading into 2026.

Angel investor Dennis Liu discusses the outlook for Bitcoin and altcoins as we move toward 2026 in his latest market breakdown. He outlines why Bitcoin is likely to keep its lead, while altcoins face challenges due to a shift in liquidity and changing market structure that favors larger assets.

Why Bitcoin’s 2026 Outlook Looks Strong

In his recent analysis posted on his X page, Liu, aka Virtual Bacon,  explained Bitcoin’s current outlook. He noted BTC’s strong position, backed by macroeconomic factors such as government fiscal policies and liquidity injections, could sustain Bitcoin’s growth, despite recent price fluctuations.

For context, Bitcoin trades at $91,695, up 2.6% in the past day and increasing its weekly gain to 6.3%. Despite this uptick, Bitcoin still trades 10.3% lower on the 30-day trajectory,  highlighting its volatility. 

Bitcoin has shown a different pattern this cycle, lacking the euphoric bull markets and deep bear corrections typically seen in the past. 

According to Liu, even though Bitcoin recently dipped below its 50-week Simple Moving Average (SMA) around $90,000, it is unlikely to experience the drastic 80% declines seen in previous cycles.

Key support levels, such as the 100-week and 200-week SMA, are likely to stabilize Bitcoin in the $60K–$70K range as we move into mid-2026. This trend reflects a healthier market trajectory, with smaller corrections expected compared to previous cycles.

Liu forecasts a short-term relief rally toward $100K, driven by U.S. Federal Reserve rate cuts and liquidity boosts. He points out that, historically, Bitcoin has rebounded within 12 months after dropping below its 50-week SMA. So, the pattern is likely to continue in this cycle. 

However, Liu also concedes that Bitcoin may not reach high-end predictions of $180K or $200K in this cycle, citing the absence of a euphoric bull market.

Related: Eric Trump Positions Bitcoin as a Stronger Long-Term Investment Than Real Estate

Why Bitcoin Is a Safe Investment 

Bitcoin’s position in the market is also evolving. Liu noted that Bitcoin is increasingly correlated with stable assets like gold and the S&P 500. This shift shows Bitcoin’s broader institutional adoption, where it is now seen as a safe-haven asset.

Furthermore, Bitcoin’s relative stability, compared to other tokens, has made it a popular hedge for large investors. 

The Struggles of Altcoins in a Changing Market

While Bitcoin remains strong, altcoins are facing a challenging environment. Liu highlighted a significant decoupling between Bitcoin and altcoins, with assets such as Ethereum, Solana, and XRP failing to mirror Bitcoin’s price movements. This divergence is largely attributed to the changing liquidity landscape.

Since 2023, liquidity has increasingly been driven by government fiscal policies rather than central bank actions. While this shift has supported Bitcoin, altcoins have not seen the same level of institutional investment or interest. 

Liu noted that altcoins are largely reliant on the more volatile and risk-sensitive parts of the market, which have been less attractive to institutional investors in recent years. As a result, altcoins have underperformed Bitcoin.

Bitcoin’s Dominance and the Future of Altcoins

Looking ahead to 2026, Liu predicts that Bitcoin will likely continue to outperform altcoins. Its status as a secure asset and its growing appeal among institutional investors position it for another bullish run. 

Even if Bitcoin drops to the $70K range over the next 6-12 months, Liu sees it as a buy due to continued support from government-driven fiscal liquidity.

Related: Major Altcoins Record Autumn Declines as CryptoRank Flags Strong Repricing

For altcoins, however, the future remains uncertain. Unless there is a significant shift in market conditions or a surge in institutional investment, altcoins may continue to lag behind Bitcoin.