Changpeng Zhao (CZ) Says 2026 Could Break Bitcoin’s Four-Year Cycle
Bitcoin’s long-standing four-year market rhythm may be approaching a turning point. Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, widely known as CZ, believes the world’s largest cryptocurrency is heading toward a “supercycle,” driven largely by a sharp shift in US political and regulatory sentiment. Speaking during an interview with CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, CZ said he strongly believes that 2026 could mark a structural break from Bitcoin’s historical price behavior. In his view, increasing institutional and political support from the United States under President Donald Trump is changing the long-term dynamics of the crypto market. Why this moment matters for Bitcoin Traditionally, Bitcoin has followed a four-year cycle closely tied to its halving events. Prices typically rise into and after a halving, followed by a prolonged correction. Because Bitcoin dominates the crypto market, its movements often set the tone for the entire sector. CZ argues that this pattern may no longer fully apply. With the US now openly backing crypto innovation, and other nations beginning to follow that lead, Bitcoin could transition from a speculative cycle-driven asset into something closer to a long-term macro instrument. If that shift plays out, it would fundamentally alter how investors model risk, timing, and valuation in the crypto market. 2026 as an inflection point During the Davos interview, CZ stated clearly, “I strongly believe that 2026 will likely be a supercycle for Bitcoin.” While he avoided giving a specific price target, his confidence centered on structural adoption rather than short-term price momentum. Other industry leaders have been less reserved. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has floated a $180,000 Bitcoin target, while BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes has suggested $200,000. CZ, however, emphasized time horizon over numbers, noting that over a five to ten-year period, Bitcoin’s upward trajectory appears increasingly predictable. From his perspective, regulatory clarity and institutional participation matter more than any single bull run. Politics, perception, and controversy CZ’s comments come amid ongoing speculation about his relationship with President Donald Trump. During the CNBC interview, Zhao firmly denied any personal or business connection related to crypto activities, despite rumors circulating within the industry. “There really isn’t any connection,” Zhao said, explaining that the overlap between Binance and the Trump administration is purely sector-wide. According to him, the Trump family’s involvement in crypto and the administration’s supportive stance benefit all companies operating in the space, not just Binance. Still, questions resurfaced after reports revealed that Abu Dhabi-based investment firm MGX allocated roughly $2 billion to Binance using the USD1 stablecoin. That stablecoin is issued by World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a decentralized finance platform backed by Donald Trump and his family. CZ addresses the speculation directly Zhao responded to the reports by calling the situation a misunderstanding. He explained that MGX is an independent investor that chose to use USD1 after he requested crypto-based payments, citing his personal dislike of working with banks. He also clarified that he has never met or spoken directly with Trump. The closest interaction, according to CZ, was being approximately 30 to 40 feet away from the US president at Davos earlier this week. He did, however, express gratitude for Trump’s decision to pardon him last October, a move that raised eyebrows across both political and crypto circles. What this could mean for the next cycle If Bitcoin does enter a supercycle, the implications extend beyond price. A sustained pro-crypto stance from the US could accelerate institutional adoption, normalize Bitcoin as a portfolio hedge, and reduce the dominance of speculative retail-driven rallies. At the same time, breaking the four-year cycle would challenge many existing trading strategies and valuation models. Long-term conviction could begin to outweigh short-term timing, pushing Bitcoin closer to the role CZ appears to envision: a globally relevant financial asset shaped by policy, not just code. The post appeared first on CryptosNewss.com
David Sacks Says Crypto and Banks Are Headed for a Historic Merger
The divide between traditional banking and crypto may not last much longer. According to David Sacks, the White House AI and Crypto Czar, the United States is approaching a turning point where banks and crypto firms will no longer operate as rival systems, but as one unified digital asset industry. Sacks shared this view during an interview on CNBC’s Squawk Box, recorded on Wednesday, January 21, alongside the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. His remarks arrive at a critical moment, as lawmakers, banks, and crypto companies battle over the final shape of US crypto regulation. At the center of the debate is the proposed CLARITY Act, a long-awaited market structure bill designed to define how digital assets and stablecoins should operate in the US financial system. Why this moment matters for crypto and banks Sacks believes the approval of the CLARITY Act would act as a catalyst. Once passed, he argues, banks would fully enter the crypto space, erasing the boundary between traditional finance and blockchain-based firms. In his words, the future does not involve parallel systems. Instead, banking and crypto would converge into a single digital asset industry, with stablecoins, tokenized assets, and regulated financial institutions operating under the same framework. This matters because regulatory clarity has been the single biggest barrier keeping major banks from deeper crypto involvement. Without clear rules, most large institutions have stayed cautious, limiting crypto exposure to custody pilots or blockchain experiments. Banks push back as competition fears grow The path forward is far from smooth. Sacks’ comments come as banks have intensified lobbying efforts to protect their business models. The American Bankers Association, the main trade group for US banks, disclosed spending more than $2 million in its final 2025 lobbying report, including efforts tied directly to the CLARITY Act. Banks are attempting to add language to the bill that would prevent stablecoins from offering yield, a feature crypto firms argue is essential to innovation. From the banking side, the concern is clear. If stablecoins offer attractive returns, customers could move funds away from low-interest savings accounts, putting pressure on bank margins. This clash explains why the legislation has stalled, despite months of support from the crypto industry. Sacks urges compromise over perfection When asked about the delays surrounding the CLARITY Act, Sacks acknowledged that the debate over stablecoin yield has slowed progress. Still, he urged lawmakers and industry leaders to focus on the bigger picture. He pointed out that the GENIUS Act faced similar resistance before eventually becoming law. In July 2025, that bill prohibited token issuers from directly offering stablecoin yields. However, it still allowed third-party firms such as Coinbase to legally provide rewards, creating a workaround that preserved innovation without fully sidelining banks. Sacks stressed that yield is already addressed within existing legislation and should not derail the broader goal of establishing market structure. For him, passing the bill is more important than winning every policy detail. Crypto industry fractures add uncertainty The situation became more complicated last week when Coinbase withdrew support for the CLARITY Act. CEO Brian Armstrong publicly criticized the current version, saying it contained too many issues, including provisions he believes protect banks from competition while limiting stablecoin innovation. This split within the crypto industry weakens its negotiating position at a time when banks are united and well-funded in Washington. What happens if the bill passes If the CLARITY Act is approved and sent to US President Donald Trump for signature, the long-term implications could be significant. Banks would gain regulatory confidence to issue stablecoins, offer on-chain settlement, and integrate blockchain infrastructure into everyday financial products. Crypto firms, in turn, would gain access to traditional payment rails, compliance clarity, and institutional capital. Over time, Sacks believes banks will come to appreciate yield-bearing stablecoins once they are participants rather than observers. That shift could redefine how savings, payments, and digital dollars work in the US economy. For now, uncertainty remains. But one message from the White House is clear. Washington no longer sees crypto as an outsider. It sees it as the next evolution of banking itself. The post appeared first on CryptosNewss.com #BTC100kNext? $BTC
Bitcoin Holds Near $95K as AI Stocks Drive Asian Markets
Asian markets opened Friday with a clear split in momentum. While regional equities climbed on renewed enthusiasm for artificial intelligence, Bitcoin hovered around the $95,000 level, reflecting a more measured tone across crypto markets. The pause does not signal weakness. Instead, it highlights how Bitcoin is increasingly reacting differently from equities, even during periods of broad risk appetite. Traders appeared comfortable holding positions rather than chasing upside, suggesting confidence rather than caution. Semiconductor Strength Fuels Regional Equities Asian shares pushed higher and hovered near record territory, led by chipmakers. Strong results from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co reignited enthusiasm around AI-linked supply chains, pulling capital back into technology stocks. Adding to the optimism, the United States and Taiwan announced a trade deal that lowers tariffs on several Taiwanese exports. The agreement also aims to channel more investment into US-based technology supply chains, a move investors see as supportive for long-term semiconductor growth. For markets, this combination of earnings strength and policy clarity created a favorable backdrop for risk assets across Asia. Crypto Prices Ease as Markets Digest Macro Signals Against this backdrop, crypto markets showed mild consolidation rather than aggressive buying. At the Asia open, Bitcoin traded at $95,496, down 0.8%. Ether slipped to $3,301, down 0.4%, while XRP fell to $2.08, down 1.3%. The total crypto market capitalization stood at $3.31 trillion, down 0.3%. The muted price action reflects traders reassessing expectations around monetary policy rather than reacting to immediate risk-off signals. Bitcoin’s Evolving Role as a Macro Anchor Wenny Cai, co-founder of SynFutures, offered insight into Bitcoin’s changing behavior. According to Cai, Bitcoin has moved beyond its reputation as a high-volatility, high-beta asset seen during the 2021 cycle. Trading consistently between $90,000 and $100,000, Bitcoin is increasingly behaving like a macro hedge tied to central bank uncertainty rather than equity momentum. Its dominance, stabilizing between 57% and 58%, suggests capital is flowing into assets that sit outside traditional credit-dependent systems. This shift matters. It signals a maturing investor base treating Bitcoin less as a speculative trade and more as a strategic allocation. Japan Markets Watch Currency and Politics In Japan, equities moved in the opposite direction. The Nikkei slipped 0.42% as the yen firmed, weighing on exporter-heavy stocks. Political uncertainty also lingered, with investors closely watching for a potential snap election call. Currency markets remained influential across the region. The US dollar hovered near a six-week high after stronger-than-expected US data, including lower jobless claims, pushed traders to scale back expectations for near-term Federal Reserve rate cuts. Commodities Cool as Geopolitical Premium Fades Commodity markets softened alongside the calmer macro tone. Oil prices extended losses, while gold and silver dipped after President Donald Trump signaled a wait-and-see stance on unrest in Iran. That messaging reduced some of the geopolitical risk premium that had been priced into commodities earlier, reinforcing a broader shift toward stability rather than escalation across global markets. Why This Market Setup Matters This Asia session highlights a subtle but important trend. Equities are rallying on growth narratives like AI and semiconductors, while Bitcoin is consolidating as a reserve-style asset rather than chasing momentum. If this pattern holds, Bitcoin may increasingly serve as a portfolio stabilizer during periods of sector-specific exuberance, rather than simply mirroring risk-on or risk-off sentiment. The post appeared first on CryptosNewss.com #BTC100kNext? #StrategyBTCPurchase $BTC