Michael Saylor Forecasts U.S. Banks Will Buy, Custody and Lend Against Bitcoin in 2026
Michael Saylor predicts 2026 will be a pivotal year for Bitcoin adoption as major U.S. banks begin buying Bitcoin, offering custody services and issuing credit backed by BTC. He says growing regulatory clarity and institutional demand will prompt banks such as JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs — with Citibank and Charles Schwab expected to follow — to provide Bitcoin-backed loans and custody by mid-2026. Saylor forecasts this institutional entry could drive Bitcoin’s price toward $143,000–$170,000. Use of Bitcoin as collateral would let investors access liquidity without selling holdings, increase Bitcoin’s utility, and enhance mainstream legitimacy. The report links these developments to reduced volatility and migration of capital from traditional stores of value like gold into Bitcoin.
Bullish
Saylor’s claim that major U.S. banks will buy Bitcoin, offer custody and issue credit against BTC is inherently bullish for markets. Institutional adoption by regulated banks increases demand, adds liquidity, and improves perceived legitimacy — factors that support higher prices. Historical parallels: announcements of institutional adoption (e.g., MicroStrategy treasury buys, ETFs approval in 2021/2023) produced sustained inflows and price appreciation. Short-term impact: expectation-driven upside as traders reposition and spot/derivatives volumes rise; possible volatility spikes on confirmation/denial of specific bank actions. Mid-to-long term: recurring demand from banks using Bitcoin as collateral and offering custody could reduce volatility, deepen order books, and shift allocation from gold/fiat to BTC, supporting structural price appreciation. Risks that could temper bullishness include regulatory reversals, execution delays by banks, or macro liquidity shocks, which could cause pullbacks despite the positive structural outlook.