VanEck Predicts Bitcoin Sell-Off Ahead of Bearish 2026 Outlook
VanEck’s digital asset team warns that investors are reducing their Bitcoin exposure in anticipation of a bearish 2026 market cycle. Citing sustained outflows from spot Bitcoin ETFs throughout 2023 and ongoing macroeconomic headwinds, analysts at VanEck expect the next Bitcoin halving in 2024 to precede a prolonged downturn. They highlight that global interest rate pressures may not ease until 2026, intensifying selling pressure. Historical parallels include the post-halving bear markets of 2018 and 2022, when traders exited positions ahead of deeper price declines. The firm advises traders to monitor ETF flows and macro indicators closely, as continued redemptions could trigger short-term volatility. While a recovery is possible after the anticipated bottom, VanEck’s outlook suggests caution for Bitcoin strategies until mid-2026.
Bearish
VanEck’s forecast is explicitly bearish, supported by notable spot Bitcoin ETF outflows and a historical pattern of sell-offs before post-halving declines in 2018 and 2022. The firm’s emphasis on prolonged macroeconomic pressure—particularly high interest rates remaining until 2026—suggests sustained negative sentiment. In the short term, traders may face heightened volatility as ETF redemptions continue. Over the longer term, the anticipated bottom around mid-2026 could mark a recovery phase, but until then, market stability is likely to be undermined by ongoing selling pressure.