Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance, recently expressed his strong belief that 2026 will mark a significant supercycle for Bitcoin. In a discussion with CNBC anchor Andrew Ross Sorkin at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Zhao attributed this optimistic prediction to the increasing endorsement of the cryptocurrency sector by the United States, particularly during Donald Trump”s administration.
He indicated that the support from the U.S. may encourage other nations to adopt similar pro-crypto stances. Traditionally, Bitcoin has followed a four-year cycle characterized by price surges followed by declines post-halving events. Given its status as the leading cryptocurrency, moves in Bitcoin often influence the broader market.
Zhao asserted, “I strongly believe that 2026 will likely be a supercycle for Bitcoin.” While he conveyed confidence in this forecast, he refrained from providing a specific price target for the cryptocurrency. In contrast, other prominent figures in the crypto industry have suggested ambitious price targets; for example, Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, has set a target of $180,000, while Arthur Hayes, co-founder of the BitMEX exchange, has proposed a target of $200,000 for this year.
Despite the lack of a precise price target, Zhao noted that when evaluating a 5-10 year horizon, the potential for price increases becomes more apparent. During his conversation with Sorkin, Zhao also addressed rumors regarding his relationship with Trump in the context of crypto, stating that there is no direct connection.
Some in the cryptocurrency sphere have speculated that Zhao”s ties to the former president could have influenced Trump”s decision to issue a pardon for him last October. “There really isn”t any connection,” Zhao clarified. “The only thing is that the Trump family is involved in crypto. Binance is a major crypto company, and the Trump administration supports crypto. That benefits all businesses in the crypto space.”
Reports also highlighted that MGX, an investment firm from Abu Dhabi, invested approximately $2 billion in Binance using the USD1 stablecoin, which is backed by Donald Trump and his family. Zhao explained that this decision was made at his suggestion, as he prefers transactions in cryptocurrency over traditional banking methods.
He maintained that he had never met or spoken to Trump directly, claiming that the closest he has ever come to the former president was about 30-40 feet away during the recent event in Davos. Zhao expressed his gratitude for Trump”s pardon decision, emphasizing that the interaction with the Trump administration is largely misunderstood.
The evolving landscape of cryptocurrency regulation and support from influential political figures like Trump could significantly impact the future trajectory of Bitcoin and the broader market. As the industry continues to mature, stakeholders remain keenly aware of how such developments may shape investment opportunities and market dynamics going forward.
